7 Trendy Bars To Check Out For Great Cocktails
These are some of the best places to unwind with a good drink
Whether you’re looking for a taste of the familiar or in the mood to try something new, these are our favourite places to go for a tipple.
Nothing quite beats the view over at Smoke & Mirrors. House in Singapore’s National Gallery, the bar offers a panoramic view of the city skyline with the Padang field in the foreground. Moreover, the bar has also introduced more offerings to its menu – showcasing how intricately the worlds of Art and Cocktails blend. Recently, it has introduced the second edition of the Art x Cocktails tour: The Real Art of Drinking Volume II Art x Cocktails tour, of which guests can expect a 60-minute journey, where they learn about the history of cocktails, as well as the magic and Southeast Asian inspirations behind the newest menu offerings by the destination rooftop bar.
Smoke & Mirrors is located at 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #06-01 National Gallery Singapore, 178957
Offering an experience that’s guided by leisure, with pan-Asian food, an aesthetic interior, and mouthwatering cocktails, this bar located along North Canal Road is a force to be reckoned with. But aside from its cosy setting, the music-centric bar is also known for its quirky-named cult classic cocktails that are arranged in a way such that they go from least strong to strong. If Smoke & Mirrors is the bar for a stiff pick-me-up after a long day, Offtrack is where you head to afterwards to croon away all your work stress.
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If you’re in the City Hall area, be sure to pop by The Bar at 15 Stamford. As part of its new menu, the bar has just unveiled 16 new cocktails which feature new progressive cocktails that include spirits, spices and garnishes from Taiwan to Maritime Southeast Asia, coastal New Guinea and Polynesia. Known for having one of Singapore’s largest rum collections with over 200 bottles from around the world, we recommend that you start with an easy drink like the ‘Hoto Matua 1000’, before moving on to something a little more complex like the ‘Peranakan Old Fashioned’ that’s a little more short, intense, full-bodied but surprisingly smooth.
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city at Tanjong Pagar lies Night Hawk. Created by Peter Chua, who also co-owns Junior The Pocket Bar and Nemesis, the bar is a space that transcends time, where the past, present and future converge. From its furniture, to lighting, and the interior, the 22-seater bar boasts a retro and futuristic look that’s unlike any other. Of course, this philosophy of playing on time extends to the cocktails. Expect futuristic tipples like the ‘Gamma-Ray Holiday’ or even a more nostalgic option like the ‘Chromatic Attack’.
If you’re looking for a quiet respite from city life, then the Writers Bar at Raffles Hotel might just be your best bet. Classy and intimate, the bar was first established as a tribute to famous writers that have come through the doors of Raffles Hotel Singapore over the years. Here, you can expect to find craft cocktails, wines and spirits. One of the new cocktails to try from their menu is Dorian Gray. Inspired by ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde, the cocktail sees absinthe’s undeserved bad reputation as a portrait, similar to the portrait of Dorian Gray in the narrative, only in reverse. The eponymously named cocktail seeks to do the same for the absinthe, by presenting it in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Moreover, its key ingredient is the new Hendrick’s absinthe and it’s made with a delicious combination, making it refreshingly approachable.
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Located in a well-preserved shophouse located at Kampong Glam, this new bar serves up playful Asian creations and progressive libations inspired by thoroughbred horses that graced the track and derbies around the world. At the Stable Bar, you can expect to find an elevated drink program designed by The Compound Collective, which presents six novel horse-themed cocktails, named after famous racehorses such as the ‘Secretariat’, which draws inspiration from Kentucky Derby’s official cocktail Mint Julep and a horses’ staple diet.
A cocktail bar and restaurant housed in one, Set of Six makes for the perfect date night spot that boasts a gorgeous ambience and a great selection of drinks. Bringing to life Conrad’s experiences when he went to the sea at 17 when he sailed to Singapore as part of Captain James Craig’s crew, the lounge is replete with culture and history. For a refreshing nightcap, try ‘The Cavalier’ or if you’re into rum, then we recommend going for a tipple like ‘Lady Amateur’.
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This article originally appeared on Her World.