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WINE&DINE
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April15
If there’s one thing we’re blessed with in Singapore,
it’s the huge selection of cool, creative bars in
almost every neighbourhood – and
Chinatown, in particular, is where
you’ll find some of the best and
buzziest spots. Here are some
of our favourite watering holes
in the area.
By Cherylene Chan
Trendy Spots to Try:
Jigger & Pony
101 Amoy Street | 6223 9101
Drawing both well-dressed
corporates and creative sorts,
Jigger & Pony’s all about
classic cocktails shaken up
with the meticulous Japanese approach to bartending.
The menu is divided into Old Fashioned, Forgotten
Classics and Modern Twists, urging patrons to try familiar
tipples in unusual forms. For serious drinkers, there are
whiskey and gin flights that let you taste three at a time. The
nosh here is simple yet elegant, with star dishes including
mushroom risotto balls and pork belly.
Nutmeg & Clove
17 Ann Siang Road | 6423 9885
Housedon theground floor of aCantonese clan association,
this bespoke bar pays tribute to its surroundings with décor
reminiscent of an olden-day Chinese medicine hall and
cocktails inspired by Singapore’s colonial era. Traditional
herbs and other ingredients bring an unexpected depth
to each drink. To complement the cocktails, order locally
inspired nibbles like prawn paste buffalo wings and nutmeg
and clove-flavoured pancakes with bak kwa, maple syrup
and spiced cream cheese.
Sugarhall
102 Amoy Street | 6222 9102
This buzzy bar is named after its wide selection of sugarcane-
based rum – over 60 different types. It has18 specialty
cocktails, like the Mai Tai à la Sugarhall, a syrupy yet lethal
blend of Rhum-RhumBlanc Agricole, Myers Dark Rum, spiced
apricot brandy, lime, almond and orgeat syrup. Going down
a treat with the drinks are tender charcoal-grilled meats and
a relaxing ska and reggae playlist.
Manor
8 Ann Siang Hill | 9646 6160
Even Ann Siang regulars
unknowingly pass this hidden
spot. Tucked away above the
ever-bustlingGemBar (another
hip favourite), Manor offers intimacy and mystery, a rarity
for a trending area. There are no signs, so keep your
eyes peeled for the elusive staircase in Zui Hong Lou
dim sum bar. Furnished with polished oak and sprawling
Chesterfields, this gentlemanly bar does ace classic
cocktails, as well as bespoke creations like The Breakfast
– vodka-based with Englishmarmalade, grapefruit and egg
white (served with toast and a dinky cup of cornflakes).
Oxwell & Co.
5 Ann Siang Road
6438 3984
Oozing kooky British flair,
this four-storey establishment
serves home brews, artisanal
wines and classics like gin
and tonic and Cuba Libre. The grub here is a modern take
on British fare, and includes Welsh salt-marsh lamb rump with
Yorkshire pudding and pureed roast garlic. Impressively, many
of the dishes and drinks are flavoured with ingredients freshly
picked from their rooftop garden.
Operation Dagger
7 Ann Siang Hill |
9296 4704
Searching for this basement
bar, which is hidden in a rather
nondescript building, requires
a sharp eye. A glass door
marked by an enigmatic symbol is your only clue to its
location. Descend the dark staircase, and you’ll find a bitty,
minimal space illuminated by thousands of clustered light
bulbs, and a spry trio whipping up intriguing cocktails and
Asian-inspired bar bites.
Bar Naked
95 Club Street | 6423 4695
Rather than keep a fixed menu, this industrial-chic
watering hole will play host to new, unconventional
concepts each quarter. At the moment, it’s occupied by
liquor giant William Grant & Sons, who’ve created a menu
that showcases their stable of spirits, including Monkey
Shoulder scotch and Hendrick’s gin.
For more hip bars by neighbourhood, visit expatliving.sg.