Singapore’s bar scene blossomed tremendously between 2018 and 2020, despite the setbacks of the global pandemic we have seen a steady rise in new openings and reboots. Cheerfully, 2022 brings out a slew of new bar openings in town to check off your bucket list!
Whatever your cause for celebration be it romantic, festive, or modest – our round-up is sure to delight you with a satisfactory experience of raising a toast in a novel F&B venue. From brand new concepts to expanding businesses – Choice Xperiences highlights eight of the hottest new bars in Singapore to quench your thirst. Image Credit: Revolver Facebook Page
Aether House
Nestled in the heart of CBD along Robinson Road, is Aether House – a French bistro and cultural wine destination serving all-day-dining for wine enthusiasts, foodies and coffee lovers. Within the chic and relaxed interiors, look forward to indulging in traditional French recipes, craft coffees, pastries, exceptional wines and a unique selection of wine books and collector’s editions on display in the store. Given this is an extension of retailer Aether Wine & Spirits, the wine list encompasses a wide range of bottled delights such as Bordeaux and Burgundy presence, strong Champagne, as well as Rhone and Alsace. For those laying off the booze, find guilt-free options available by means of wine-inspired teas like Pinot Noir Tea or Riesling Tea. Image Credit: Aether House Instagram Page
a. 35 Robinson Rd, #01-05/06/07, Singapore 068876
Sol & Luna
Professing to be the best garden oasis alfresco spot in town – Sol & Luna (the Latin translation of sun & moon) represents the diverse offerings available day to night in a tranquil venue with urban views amidst fresh air and natural charms of a garden getaway. It is one of five concepts at 1-Arden, belonging to the 1-Group. Located at CapitaSpring, the bistro infuses flavours from Italy, France, Spain and Portugal – churning out dishes like Smoked Duck & Foie Gras Rillette, Grilled Radicchio with Taleggio, Piri Piri Chicken Thigh and White Gazpacho. Beverages feature a base alcohol widely enjoyed in each region, to reflect the drinking culture of each country. The Dolce Ibisco represents Italy with Aperol, apricot and orgeat, and the Raizes Natives concoction of cachaca and beirao denotes Portugal. Sensation De Poire is a French cognac sour with Williams pear and apple pear fennel syrup, while Spain embodies the Sangria-like Cidra Morada Y Vino. Image Credit: Sol & Luna Facebook Page
a. 88 Market St, #17-01 CapitaSpring, Singapore 048948
8 by Bottles & Bottles
Discover a new watering hole at Great World City, launched by wine and spirits retailer Bottles & Bottles. Here, offerings span a dazzling array of Old and New World wines, lesser-known varietals, and sake. 8 is B&B’s second drink-in concept – the wine is sold at bottle shop rates, customers are allowed to bring their own food and there’s no service charge added. Hip, hip hurrah! Hunger pangs can be satisfied with orders from any of the mall’s brimming food options and eaten at 8 for no extra cost. Look out for their partner Tajimaya – a scrumptious Japanese charcoal grill restaurant which sports a QR code menu on each table and delivers dishes straight to your seats. Image Credit: 8 by 8 Bottles & Bottles Facebook Page
w. www.8bybottlesandbottles.com.sg/
IKO
This modern Japanese restaurant and bar on Neil Road has transitioned through several changes since its opening in 2021. Meaning “let’s go” in everyday Japanese, iKO emerges with renewed resolve in 2022 and a revamped kitchen team helmed by Chef Dylan Ong. All about traditional and authentic Japanese cuisine – the food menu revolves around binchotan-grilled items, sashimi and bar bites meant for sharing. Some of their best servings include scallop carpaccio with chilli, stuffed tempura jalapeno, wagyu sukiyaki, a seasonal fish from Japan and yuzu-based tonkotsu broth. Pair your iKo meals with a fine selection of sake – stocked in 720ml and 1.8 litre formats, with seasonal styles included. The Sake Metre Value (SMV) is listed for each sake, to indicate tasting notes, and how sweet or dry it is. The wine selection available ranges from natural producers to classic styles. Image Credit: IKO Restaurant and Bar Facebook Page
a. 65 Neil Rd, Singapore 088897
Revolver
Shooting out hot and fresh serves from the grill, diners can expect their tastebuds to explode in the best of ways at Revolver – a new contemporary Indian restaurant in town. Embark on a culinary adventure across India as you munch through their tasting menus (six-eight courses for dinner service, and five served at lunch). From the big cities of Delhi and Mumbai to remote areas and surrounding villages – find a variety of unforgettable, flavour-packed dishes. The wine list here is focused on small producers and natural styles. Explore a cuvee from cult Loire winemaker Nicolas Joly, Italian skin-contact wines, English pinot noir, Japanese merlot and pet nat from Slovenia. Local craft beer from Brewlander and a selection of cocktails are available on the beverage menu too. Image Credit: Revolver Facebook Page
a. 56 Tras St, Singapore 078995
Wanton Seng’s Eating House
The original wanton noodle stall that started at Dunman Food Centre in 1968 has since been closed – but friends Brandon Teo and Benson Ng secured the recipe and updated the concept for the food joint. Wanton Seng’s therefore stands as a remix, combining street food with 90s hip hop and reliable drinks. Alongside other dishes like Cold Seafood Noodles and Mala Meat Noodles – the signature is a textbook example of what wanton mee should be: springy noodles, tender char siu and textural dumplings. The cocktail list is small but well curated – the Oolong Sour omits the egg white for a clean, punchy serve, and The Jasmine Sangria is alluringly fragrant. Other beverages offered are gin, whiskey highballs and local craft beer from District Brewers. Image Credit: Wanton Seng's Eating House Facebook Page
Entrance
There’s a hidden restaurant and bar tucked away on Tanjong Pagar Road, featuring an exquisite fusion fare, paired with visually stunning cocktails to incite a multi-sensorial experience. Entrance is becoming a new favourite in town – with excellent ambience, music, and service crew setting the right vibe for a leisure night out. Their molecular gastronomy-inspired cocktail menu offers a thoughtful curation of exciting drinks, including – the Yogin Dark Sea Salt Crumble (blends gin together with yoghurt, saline and cocoa), the Caramel Cage (single malt combined with brown butter and chocolate again), the Caviar Lime Bed (built on a tequila base with Chambord, grapefruit and fish roe), and the Matcha Trance (a bright and creamy sake, yuzu and matcha serve). From the delectable gamut of Japanese-European food, dishes vary from small plates of scallop aburi to sharing portions of seafood paella. Dining options are ippin-ryori, or a la carte. Image Credit: Entrance.sg
Last Word
The team behind Nutmeg and Clove have opened a new restaurant and cocktail bar directly above them, with a focussed programme of Japanese classics and ingredients. Last Word is a concept named after the classic cocktail (gin, Chartreuse and Maraschino), and does a stellar job of paying homage to the time-honoured classics concoctions’ heritage. For instance, their take on a Bloody Mary ($25) is a remarkable spin-off from the original and likely one of the most refreshing versions you could find in Singapore. This quaint new venue in the hip neighbourhood of Purvis Street features a distinct Japanese vibe – from the minimalist décor to the focused execution of the drinks and customary bar bites. It’s easy to make out that Last Word and Nutmeg & Clove are both pleasing, yet markedly different experiences. Image Credit: Last Word Instagram Page
a. 8 Purvis St, 02-01, Singapore 188587
