PUBLISHED February 20th, 2014 01:30 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:31 pm
As the cocktail scene in Singapore increasingly picks up pace, with dozens of quality bars opening up in pockets around Singapore, it’s interesting to see an explosion of boozy creativity occur. Not satisfied with just impressive classic cocktails, many bars have been pushing the boundaries with their creations and like the artist Picasso, mixing traditional form with modern ingenuity to create cocktails that are unique, tasty and sometimes just down-right weird.
In our drunken explorations of Singapore, there are many bars that offer such bizarre experiences…but who are the top 5 when it comes down to the weird and wonderful cocktails of Singapore?
Read on and find out….
Tippling Club
I’ll always remember the first time I had a drink at Tippling Club – a Five Borough Sours – it came to my seat with a bottle bubbling and smoking away coating the area around me in a 2ft cloud of mist. Since then, Tippling Club’s menu has gone from strength to strength, especially with bar manager Zac de Git overseeing things. Since their recent move to Tanjong Pagar, things have definitely made a slight return to the classics. Having said that, you’ll still find some weird drinks like the pea-made Jolly Green Giant ($18) or Friend of the Night ($18) which is topped in Earl Grey bubbles that pop against your nose as you drink. Most importantly, these drinks are remarkably delicious to boot. Read our full review of the Tippling Club here.
Tippling Club is located at 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461. Opening hours are Monday – Friday: 6pm – midnight. Saturday: midday – 3pm, 6pm – midnight.
The Library
Ever wanted to drink a cocktail out of a bathtub? Well if you have, this is something you can genuinely do at The Library…granted from a miniature bathtub that conveniently sits on your table. The Library is already well-known for making good cocktails..but what makes theirs of particular interest is the style in serving. Expect anything from funky serving receptacles to edible garnishes to accompany your drink.
The Library is located at 47 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089151. Opening hours are 6pm – 1am daily.
Catalunya
Whilst not strictly a ‘cocktail bar’, anyone who has ever ordered one at Catalunya will already know that they are exquisite. What you may be unaware of is their funky and unusual creations. Expect everything from savoury, cheesy cocktails to chocolately wonders. One particular that is a firm favourite amongst the regulars is their bubbling Reverse Gin and Tonic ($28). Find out more about the cocktails at Catalunya in our review here.
Catalunya is located at The Fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049327. Opening hours are midday – 2am daily.
The Cufflink Club
The Cufflink Club’s new menu has seen a turn towards the playful with a wide arrange of glassware (and non-glassware) and props from ping pong balls, pages from Hemingway’s books, flowers, even toy soldiers. A great example of this is their playful Mai Thai Bride ($24), served in a Tiki mug with a fresh orchid poking out the top, it’s something that would seem more at place at the poolside of some resort in Phuket! Read our full review of The Cufflink Club here.
The Cufflink Club is located at 6 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089262. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday: 5pm-1am. Friday: 5pm-2am. Saturday: 6pm-2am.
Art Bar
Somewhere not really known for cocktails is Art Bar, Butter Factory’s sister venue on the second floor of One Fullerton. The cocktails here are insane. Playful and weird variations on classics such as the Bloody Warhol ($21), a variation on a Bloody Mary or the Cocoa Made Me Do It ($17). Drinks here are served in the weirdest receptacles, often making use of quirky Singaporean coffee shop paraphernalia. Our advice, just try the whole range…it’s a sight to behold!
Art Bar is located at One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd #02-02/03/04, Singapore 049213. Opening hours are Fridays 11pm to 4am and Saturdays & Eve of Public Holiday 10pm to 4am.
Still not satisfied? Well, these other bars might also tickle your fancy if you’re looking for something weird and wonderful:
Jekyll & Hyde, The Horse’s Mouth, 28 Hong Kong, Maison Ikkoku, BarStories, The House of Dandy, Bitters & Love, and many more…