PUBLISHED January 6th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:31 pm
We love rum. And while the spirit is not quite seen in the same light as whisky and gin, we think the time of the rum is reckoning. More than just a drink for pirates and salty sea dogs, this sweet, sweet nectar is in a class on its own, particularly attributed to the lack of regulations in terms of appellations and content (read more about it in our Rum 101 guide). And have we mentioned how affordable it is when compared to their more ‘classy’ counterparts?
As for where to try some sensational nectar of the seas, there are 8 bars in Singapore that really stand out – whether it’s neat drams or rum cocktails you’re looking for.
Sugarhall
Indra Kantono, the co-owner of Sugarhall, is a total rum-head, personally telling us that one of the driving forces for starting Sugarhall (whose name is derived because of rum’s main ingredient) was to have a bar with the best selection of rums in Singapore. He certainly succeeded, and for us Sugarhall easily takes the number one spot on this list. Be sure to try their rum cocktails classics like the Ron Negroni and Sugarhall Daiquiri, created by head bartender Stuart Danker. Read our review here.
Sugarhall is located at 102 Amoy St, Singapore 069922, p. +65 9732 5607. Open Mon-Fri 6pm – 1am, Sat 6pm – 2am. Closed Sun.
The Auld Alliance
If you’ve been to The Auld Alliance, you’ll already know that their whisky selection is pretty much unsurpassed in Singapore. What you might not know is that the owner Emmanuel is also a serious fan of rums and has painstakingly sourced some of the rarest and most exquisite rums to add to their menu as well. It ain’t cheap but if you’re looking at trying something that you won’t find anywhere else in Singapore, this is your bar. Read our review here.
The Auld Alliance is located at L2 Rendezvous Hotel Singapore, 9 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 189559, p. +65 6337 2201. Open Mon-Thu 5pm – 1am, Fri-Sat 5pm – 2am, Sun 5pm – 12am.
Studio 1939 by Potato Head Folk
This export from Indonesia features a 30-seater rooftop tiki bar with plants, flowers, and tropical cocktails utilising rum as a primary spirit. That means over 20 handcraft concoctions made with a special blend of top-shelf rums for your beach-y indulgence. The Saik Daiquiri, for one, contains a blend of rums, sweetened yuzu, and mirin, while the Zombie promises to ‘kill’ with a kickass combination of seven rums as well as absinthe. In case you need some emergency carbs, there’s always a burger joint right below.
Studio 1939 by Potato Head Folk is located at 36 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089143, p. +65 6327 1939. Open Tue-Sun 11am – 12am.
Bago at Lime House
If more than 150 types of rum and rum infusions sound like your kind of thing, start making your way to Bago, the chill-as-hell cocktail bar on the second floor of Carribean restaurant Lime House. Conceptualised in collaboration with the world’s only Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burell, enjoy the excellent rums neat or as a refreshing cocktail – particularly the Chris Morris, named after the owner and his penchant for Mount Gay Black Barrel rum mixed with coconut water and some cinnamon syrup.
Bago at Lime House is located at Level 2, 2 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089260, p. +65 6222 3130. Open Wed-Sat 6pm – 12.30am, Sun 3pm – 11pm. Closed Mon, Tue, and public holidays.
The Other Room
The menu of spirits and cocktails at The Other Room With is nearly 50-page long and growing, which is a dream come true for us rum lovers. Behind it all is the multi award-winning mixologist Dario Knox, who creates his own infusion and finishings with your favourite spirits. Think a Diplomatico Reserva finished with the dryness of an Amontillado cask, or with the sweetness of a Palo Cortado. The rum cocktails are great too, such as the classy Fidel Castro made with chocolate, bitters, and Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure cigar smoke.
The Other Room is located at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Level 1, 320 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238865. Open Mon-Wed 6pm – 3am, Thu-Sun 6pm – 4am.
Bob’s Bar
At the tranquil Bob’s Bar, you might as well be lying down along the coast of Havana amidst laid-back island vibes and beautiful beaches. It’s the perfect place to explore the rich flavours and spirits of the West Indies, including the bar’s own Navegante rum – matured in aromatic cognac and bourbon oak casks for the Carribean’s distinctive charm, and alluring rum-based cocktails.
Bob’s Bar is located at Capella Singapore, Singapore 098297, p. +65 6591 5047. Open daily 12pm – 12am.
28HKS
28 HKS is a paradise for boutique spirits, with an ample supply of rarer rums such as Zaya, Clement, and Zacapa rather than Bacardi or Havana Club. You’ll get your gentleman’s pour here – 45ml instead of the usual 30ml, which is extremely generous and relatively unheard of in Singapore. The bar also, of course, one of Asia’s best when it comes to mixing cocktails, having won award after award over the years. Read our review here.
28HKS is located at 28 HongKong St, Singapore 059667, p. +65 6533 2001. Open Mon-Thu 5.30pm – 1am, Fri-Sat 5.30pm – 3am.
La Maison du Whisky
This unassuming bar and retail shop along Robertson Quay is without a doubt one of the best spirits importers and distributors in Singapore, boasting a selection of over 400 dark and light spirits by the glass (and 700 if you’re interested in getting a bottle). And yes, despite the name there’s a lot more than just whisky – rum included. Read our review here.
La Maison du Whisky is located at #01-10 The Pier @ Robertson Quay, 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 239013, p. +65 6733 0059. Open daily 6pm till late (retail 12pm – 12am).