Quaich Bar Wanderlust
Lobby, InterContinental Singapore Tel: 9818 0885
Founded as The Whisky Store in 2005 by whisky collectors Joyce Ng and Chua Khoon Hui, the retail store became the whisky-dedicated Quaich Bar at Waterfront Plaza. Encouragement from its customers led to the opening of a second outlet at South Beach Avenue in 2016, followed by the launch of Whisky Journey in 2020, an annual, locally-founded whisky exhibition.
Now in its 17th year of propelling whisky culture in Singapore, Quaich Bar Wanderlust opens its third refuge for tipplers at the lobby of InterContinental Singapore. From art deco-styled leather and velvet-clad seats to the gilded cabinets and tasselled chandeliers, the whimsicality of Wanderlust is reinforced by its playful menu centred around exploring the world through inspired tipples.
The cocktail menu features 19 signatures (all at $25), of which contenders include a Korean-BBQ inspired Miyeok Guk with seaweed-washed vodka, makgeolli and drops of sesame oil, a Mojito meets Thai Milk Tea variant and Chinese-styled Bourbon Sour variant with prune-infused bourbon, red dates and ginseng syrup. For whisky fans, there is also a comprehensive selection of 100 world whiskies from across the globe.
See also: Louis XIII executive director Anne-Laure Pressat on honouring the storied cognac’s luxurious legacy
Farrer Horse
#01-02/#02-00 The Sultan Hotel Tel: 8139 8109
See also: Get ready to celebrate the end of the year with these fancy bottles
This two-storey gastro-cocktail bar serves playful Southeast Asian creations and progressive tipples inspired by famous thoroughbred horses and derbies worldwide. The brainchild of Ayyakannu Srinivasan (Srini) — the second-generation owner of Muthu’s Curry — Farrer Horse brings back the exuberant merrymaking that defined Farrer Park Racecourse, Singapore’s first-ever racecourse in the 1840s.
Decked in equestrian green and tangerine, Farrer Horse transports you back to when Farrer Park Racecourse was a highly reputable recreational hub built for the affluent with its regal old-world interior. Plush velvety and leather sofas are juxtaposed against elegant casework chairs, while a grandiose bar highlighted by gold and timbre trimmings commands your attention. On the walls are illustrations and paintings of horses and archival photos of Farrer Park Racecourse during its golden era.
On the first-floor Dining Room, guests are invited to celebrate the joyous gathering of Singapore’s multi-ethnic society at the former racecourse through a diverse mix of Asian dishes like Nyonya Pie Tee, Otah Ravioli or Kapitan with Nets, a twist on the chicken curry.
Get your drink on at Stable upstairs, and discover an elevated drink program designed by The Compound Collective. The current menu presents six equestrian-themed cocktails (at $22++ each) named after famous racehorses such as the Secretariat, a Kentucky Derby-inspired libation with hay-infused bourbon, shaken with apple and maple, then garnished with fresh mint. Another creation inspired by a horse’s diet is Kelso, highlighted by Japanese barley shochu stirred with house-made cucumber cordial, an acid blend, and a touch of tonic.
Those seeking more classic taste profiles should try Man o’ War, an Old Fashioned made with Tennessee whiskey that has been sous-vide with Asian spices and herbs. Meanwhile, Eclipse will interest Tequila lovers with its unique concoction of Tequila, Fino sherry, lime, pomegranate, celery, and coriander.
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Dirty Blonde
#03-308/309 Sky Garden Suntec City Tel: 8815 4635
A bar with plenty of personality, Dirty Blonde plays to a multi-faceted crowd of drinkers with a dual-concept bar that features live music and specially crafted cocktails. Indoors, you get upscale Manhattan vibes with plush seats and gold accents. At the alfresco area outside, you are transported to the beaches of the Caribbean with colourful rattan furniture and grungy street art.
Taking centre stage are the picturesque cocktails crafted by resident mixologist Stanislav Baliaban, who just happens to be an Applied Mathematics and Physics degree holder. Looking to bring some Russian flair while catering to the local palate, Baliaban employs local flavours and iconography in his visually stunning yet delectable tipples (from $18) with fun names like Blow Me, Dirty Bae and Pistachio Ice Cream.
Food-wise, Dirty Blonde offers delectable crowd-pleasers like succulent grilled chicken with zesty curry corn ($22) and beef cheek on pea puree ($25), as well as communal meat and cheese platters ($28).
Enjoy your night out with live music, which commences at 7pm, while DJ sets start from 10pm till late. Happy hour from 5pm to 7pm serves premium house-pour spirits, beers and wines for just $10.
Barood
56A Tras Street Tel: 9622 3410
From the creators of the dynamic open-fire restaurant Revolver comes Barood, a captivating Latin-Indian izakaya discreetly tucked away on the second floor of the same shophouse. It’s designed as a hedonistic oasis channelling Paris in the 60s, complete with darkened hallways in sumptuous shades of plum and chocolate and walls filled with nostalgia in the form of framed portraits.
The head mixologist is Rodolfo Rodriguez, whose experiences worldwide, from his native Chile to some of the finest establishments in Singapore, yield uniquely inventive libations. Try the Naked Flower, a twist on the pre-Prohibition classic Bijou cocktail, a mix of Roku gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Cocchi Rosa and jasmine. Rodriguez also loves turning food into drinks, yielding delicious concoctions like Tropical Skin featuring a mix of Plantation Original Dark, Plantation 3 Stars, dry curacao, lime and Orgeat Halwa (a syrup made of halwa, or Indian carrot pudding, and roasted cashews).
Come between 5pm and 7pm, from Tuesday to Sunday, and enjoy five courses of exquisite tapas for $79++, such as Smoked Lobster Yakitori, Butter Chicken Paratini, and Barood’s signature Goat Biryani Arancini. The Tostadas topped with Negitoro, Morel Truffles, or Spiced Avocado are new to the menu, and more vegetarian options like pulled Jackfruit Pao with cashews, Cauliflower Skewers with chilli coriander and lime crema, and Spiced Paneer Tacos.
Underdog Inn
115 Amoy Street Tel: 8751 0354
Brought to you by the good folks of award-winning Sago House, Underdog Inn brings New York’s cool counterculture and artsy vibes to the people of Amoy Street. Taking over the premises formerly known as the Burger Bar, the bar is a juxtaposition of design, with plush banquette seats, amidst statement art pieces mounted on graffiti-covered walls, carefully curated by bar owner Jay Gray.
Unlike its sister brands, Underdog puts a unique spin on California’s 18 Taps Tavern. Its version offers 12 draught cocktails and 6 beers on rotation, focusing heavily on whisky and agave. Sip on a classic cocktail from the tap, such as the Martini ($25++), Gran Torino ($18++) or Old Fashioned ($25++) - with tableside modifiers to adjust to the guest’s preference.
We appreciate the effort to select an exciting menu of delectable dishes with a nose-to-tail open-fire-only cooking concept. Specials on the board change daily based on the proteins available. On the menu, we highly recommend the Squid with brown butter and smoked almond ($28), Bone Marrow Mash ($16), Smoked Carrot, Ricotta and Pickled Jalapeno ($14) and Lamb Tartare with smoked emulsion and cured yolk ($24). Underdog is now open for lunch and dinner and is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 5pm to midnight.
