PUBLISHED October 4th, 2016 06:30 am | UPDATED March 26th, 2019 05:49 pm
Singapore’s HongKong Street cluster (right where Chinatown begins to merge with Boat Quay) is nothing like its namesake city, especially in the way of neon signs and loud locals. Instead, the once-quiet area – made popular in 2012 by the speakeasy-style bar 28HKS – is now teeming with lifestyle and F&B concepts waiting to make its own mark. Here’s our guide of the best establishments to be found around Hong Kong Street, Carpenter Street, and North Canal Road.
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia
Freshly awarded one Michelin Star, this small 36-seater restaurant is inspired by cuisines all over the world, dishing out the best and freshest ingredients (including from its organic farm in Cameron Highlands), great cocktails, and fine wine. Headed by Chef Luke Armstrong, The Kitchen At Bacchanalia is where you get to taste thought-provoking creations such as the Asian-inspired Hamachi Tartare and Hand Dived Scallop with black truffle and a soy-yuzu dressing. Read our full review here.
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia is located at 39 Hongkong St, Singapore 059678, p. 9179 4552. Open Mon 6pm – 10.30pm, Tue-Fri 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm, Sat 6pm – 10.30pm.
the Hive Co-Working
If you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer, idea-maker, or start-up owner looking for a productive workspace, check out the beautifully designed Hive Co-Working and its four levels of hot desks, dedicated desks, meeting rooms and private offices. Complete with printing facilities and a rooftop pantry (cakes and pastries!), presence in Hong Kong and Bangkok also means that you can access a wide network of facilities, services, and even clients around the region. Not sure if the space is right for you? Check out Try-Out Tuesdays.
the Hive Co-Working is located at 59 New Bridge Rd (entrance on Hong Kong St), Singapore 059405, p. 6532 2119. For enquiries, please email to contact@thehive.sg.
FOC by Nandu Jubany
Dive into the vibrant sounds and sights of a Spanish kitchen at FOC restaurant, a collaboration between Michelin-starred Chef Nandu Jubany, Chef Jordi Noguera and award-winning mixologist Dario Know. Its open-concept kitchen creates a buzzy, interactive dining experience and offers a wide range of authentic Catalan cuisine – think Barcelona-style tapas, a great selection of wines and cutting-edge handcrafted cocktails.
FOC by Nandu Jubany is located at 40 Hongkong St, Singapore 059679, p. 6100 4040. Open Mon-Thu 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 10.30pm.
Vasco
The principles guiding Vasco is every bit as sultry, colourful, and spirited as Latin culture. Head there with an empty stomach and you’ll find authentic Latin American dishes waiting for you: ceviches, empanadas, cubans, and rib-eyes – all generously portioned for sharing with your friends. Don’t leave without tasting the signature cocktails, made with only Latin American spirits such as Cachaca, Pisco, and Rum!
Vasco is located at 42 Hongkong St, Singapore 059681, p. 8799 7085. Open Mon-Sat 6pm – 1am.
Juggernaut Fight Club
Founded by Arvind ‘The Juggernaut’ Lalwani, this fight gym has produced some of Singapore’s best fighters, including several national boxers, wrestlers, and muay thai fighters. With an international team of specialist trainers across five disciplines (including MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), get a special training menu tailored to you as you work your way to the best shape you’ve ever been – fighting fit.
Juggernaut Fight Club is located at 33D Hongkong Street, Singapore 059672, p. 6535 2501. Open Mon-Sat 7am – 10pm.
Ronin
If you fancy yourself a coffee lover, you’ve probably heard of this one. Ronin is a cozy space for delicious coffee, whether you’re looking for single origins, filter coffee, or a classic flat white – aromatic with a gentle acidity. Your classic cafe fare like brownies, sandwiches and french toasts are available as well. Just make sure you avoid the weekends, unless you’re prepared to wait.
Ronin is located at 17 Hongkong St, Singapore 059660, p. Open Mon-Fri 8am – 6pm, Sat-Sun 8am – 7.30pm.
LongQing Hotpot
Chinese hotpot doesn’t get much better than at LongQing, where the wide variety of soups are all MSG free. The firm favourite here is the robust Wild Mushroom Broth, boiled for hours to extract the nutrients from the mushrooms, along with the Spicy Ma La. Aside from the usual hotpot options, LongQing also has signature ingredients like homemade taro balls, pork balls, bean curd skin rolls, and premium meats such as the Mangalitsa Pork Collar.
LongQing Hotpot is located at 18 Hongkong St, Singapore 059661, p. 6533 1618. Open Tues-Sun 5.30pm – 11pm.
28 HongKong Street
Hidden behind an unmarked front (save for a tiny metal plaque), push open the beige door and be dazzled by the swanky interior of 28HKS. Inspired by the speakeasy bars that burst onto the New York cocktail scene in the early 2000s, this dimly-lit bar has for years attracted a discerning crowd with its sophisticated drinks and unparalleled service. In fact, they’ve not only won many awards for Best Cocktail Bar locally, but also ranked in the top 10 of World’s 50 Best Bars for several years running.
28 HKS is located at 28 Hongkong St, Singapore 059667. Open Mon-Thu 6pm – 2am, Fri-Sat 6pm – 3am.
Punch
From the same people behind Ronin and The Plain comes Punch, a sleek new cafe spruced up with plenty of natural lighting, greenery, and minimalist furnishing. Located near Raffles Place, head down for quick and delicious coffee or hearty meal of fried chicken, handcut fries, and dory fillets. Down-to-earth, simple, and heartfelt… mmm.
Punch is located at 32 North Canal Rd, Singapore 059288. Open Tue-Fri 10am – 10pm, Sat-Sun 8am – 6.30pm.
Yoga Lab
Yoga Lab seeks to be more than just your typical studio, and instead seeks to be a community where you can grow, hone yourself, and heal with guidance from teachers passionate about personal growth. No judgement, no rules. Operating seven days a week, there are around 10 classes a day across categories Yoga 101, Hot 26, Core, Stretch, Power, and Flow. Drop-in rates start at $23.
Yoga Lab is located at 42B Hongkong St, Singapore 059681. Click here for class schedules.
The Proof Flat
Though still in its pre-launch stage, this gentlemen’s den of sorts has already hosted exclusive salon sessions back at the Singapore Cocktail Week. Decked out in blue tufted leather sofas and hard wood flooring, The Proof Flat will stock a wide away of fine craft spirits (over 600 expressions), home bar tools, bar pantry essentials, and a library of over 300 recipe and history books for sale. While not a bar per se, bartenders will be on hand to answer questions and provide samples from the vast catalogue, including bourbons and ryes from the Willett family, Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple rums, and mezcals by Los Danzantes.
The Proof Flat is located at 43A Hongkong St, Singapore 059682, p. 8228 0113. Open Mon-Sat 11am – 7pm.
The Belljar
A restaurant, dram and cigar lounge, and a whisky academy, this stunning three-storey shophouse is The Belljar. Start below with innovative interpretations of popular cuisines before heading up to the comfy leather sofas for a multi-sensory experience. The whiskies here are mostly Scotch and Japanese in over a 100 expressions, and the server will make recommendations based on your flavour preferences and alcohol tolerance – perhaps a neat dram or horizontal flight, or a creative whisky cocktail if you’re into that.
The Belljar is located at 18 North Canal Rd, Singapore 048830, p. 81822858. Open Mon-Sat 6pm – 1am.
Barre2Barre
Barre 2 Barre offers a unique fitness experience using the barre method, which essentially incorporates elements of pilates, dance, yoga, and strength training, the moves choreographed to motivational upbeat music. More than just exercise, learn to live a healthy, mindful life and sculpt your entire body. Class sizes are kept small so you get individual attention at each session.
Barre2Barre is located at 42A Hongkong St, Singapore 059681, p. 9115 9473. Click here for class schedules.
Yoga Movement
Starting yoga can be a scary experience, but Yoga Movement is all about making it easy, accessible, and fun for the masses with its multi-levelled classes. Practitioners of the same level will be put together in order to get used to the pace and foundations together. If you really like your first class and choose to sign up for a package, your first class will be complimentary!
Yoga Movement is located at 31A & 33A New Bridge Rd (entrance on Carpenter St), Singapore 059394, p. 65344670. Click here for class schedules.