From a bar with a bowling alley to a wine and whisky connoisseur’s dream come true, this edition of hot new bars has something for everyone.
Hedonists, gather round for another rocking round-up of the hottest bars at the moment. Prepared to be blown away by a new jazz bar, an award-winning hangout and coffee liquor that’s so good, you could have it on the rocks. Psst..make your way to some of these bars for post-Father’s Day dinner drinks. Your old man will thank you.
Vintage pinball machines and a mini bowling alley at Avenue
Still recovering from Marquee’s massive opening? Don’t get too comfortable yet cause there’s (another) new kid on the block. A great hideaway for ‘pre-drinks’ or just for taking a quick break from the frenzy at Marquee, Avenue is the perfect spot to lounge, relax or party depending on how deep into the night it is. Much like its New York and Los Angeles counterparts, Avenue Singapore takes after a lavish penthouse apartment and even has a mini bowling alley, a pool table and an arcade with vintage pinball machines. Pair bespoke cocktails along with hop-hip, R&B and house music spun by resident and guest DJs and you’ve got yourselves a night to remember.
Avenue Singapore, Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Basement 3, Singapore 018972, accessible via its Level 1 entrance on the exterior of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Bring on the jazz at Maduro’s listening lounge and bar
If classical music and jazz, prized wines and the finest malts give you life, this is the place to be. Say hello to Maduro, a swanky listening lounge and bar with all the makings for a good time. Trust us, we dropped by the opening night and we know. The mysterious Mr. P is at the helm of this spanking new spot, housed right above French restaurant Atout in Dempsey Hill. Into old-school tipples? Expect Scotland’s finest malts, revived classic cocktails and rare bottlings you won’t find elsewhere. Oh, and there’s even a private den behind the bar – a sprawling, stylishly designed space meant exclusively for invite-only meetings. Hit up the weekly session, Tiara Friday Club where the best local chanteuses and crooners work magic with first-call musician counterparts.
Maduro, 40C Harding Road Singapore 249548
Cocktails straight outta Ernest Hemingway’s imaginary den at The Old Man Singapore
As if we needed more reasons to head straight to The Old Man’s Singapore outpost. Now that the original bar in Hong Kong has topped Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, there’s no excuse to delay your visit. Firstly, you’ll never guess the gravitas, given the unassuming exterior (look for the storefront with a pineapple lamp if you get lost). Take a step inside and you’re immediately transported to Ernest Hemingway’s den. The Old Man does pay homage to the novelist, after all. Even the bar is named after his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Old Man and the Sea.
Nine innovative and devilishly good cocktails make up the menu – all of which are inspired by Hemingway’s work, but with an Asian twist. Sip on drinks like The Sun Also Rises – an Asian Negroni concocted with coconut oil fat-washed applejack, curry leaf infused gin, sweet vermouth sous-vide pandan leaves and kaffir lime. Or try The Snows of Kilimanjaro, a boozy take on Yakult spiked with marshmallow gin, lacto-fermented raspberry, citrus, and topped with gruyere cheese. Intrigued? We’ll be back for more – and the fact that all cocktails are priced at just $17++.
The Old Man Singapore, #01-04, 55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158
Snacks on a stick and Spanish-inspired tipples at TXA Pintxo Bar
TXA Pintxo Bar (pronounced ‘cha pin-cho’) is the first and only dedicated pintxo bar in Singapore – at the swish Alkaff Mansion – and boy has it caught our attention. But first, a quick lesson on pintxo. Pintxos are Spain’s equivalent to satay – but only bigger. It’s a bite-sized snack served on a stick and is also a Basque country favourite, so you’ll find it at every bar in the country. Of course, you’ve gotta wash it down with a Spanish-inspired tipple: the bar has a variety including signature cocktails like The Mansion – brandy stirred with raspberry puree, Cointreau, Angostura bitters and ginger beer. Or go for the Rebujito – a refreshing tipple made of pinot grigio, lemon juice, yuzu puree and Sprite.
TXA Pintxo Bar, Alkaff Mansion 10 Telok Blangah Green, Singapore 109178
Bonus: Swap your usual coffee with Mr Black’s cold brew coffee liquor at selected bars
Coffee lovers, listen up. There’s a new coffee liquor in town and it’s got us buzzing. Hailing from Australia, Mr Black cuts specialty grade coffee with high-quality, clean Australian vodka along with raw organic sugar, creating a cold brew liquor and magic for coffee purists. Though a small brand, Mr Black is already a cult favourite among bars like The American Bar at The Savoy London; Black Pearl in Melbourne and Eleven Madison Park; The NoMad and The Aviary in the United States. We were one of the first to try Mr Black at a masterclass with Mr Black Global Coffee Ambassador, Martin Hudak, and we’re still wrapping our minds at how easy it is to concoct an espresso martini. Hey, the coffee liquor’s so good you could have it on the rocks. We’re already halfway through our bottle… You can find Mr Black at Atlas Bar, Caffe Fernet, Chihuly Lounge (The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore), Fat Prince and Jigger & Pony.
Mr Black cold brew coffee liquor, available at various bars and restaurants islandwide
