Bob’s Bar At Capella Singapore: Kick Off Singapore Cocktail Festival With A Summer Twist!

It’s time to mix up your evening plans! Singapore Cocktail Festival is just around the corner.

Bob’s Bar at Capella Singapore will be presenting a thrilling 6-day line-up from 16 – 21 March.

The only participating bar in Sentosa Island for this festival, Bob’s Bar is the perfect escape in island paradise.

Pomaika’i

Throughout the Festival, Bob’s Bar will be serving its signature Festive Cocktail, Pomaika’i. So fiery.

[caption id="attachment_23826" align="aligncenter" width="834"] Image credit: Singapore Cocktail Festival[/caption]

Need all the good luck you can get this year? One sip of this cocktail should do the trick! Its name means ‘good luck’ in Hawaiian. It’s made with sweet rum and fresh citrus juices. Extra refreshing on a hot night!

At S$20++, this drink will be served with its recipe card and a hands-on cocktail making kit. More fun!

Diplomático World Tournament – Singapore National Final 2017

The event will see 8 local bartenders compete for a chance to represent Singapore. This year’s Continental Finals will be held in Venezuela.

[caption id="attachment_23827" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image credit: Ingmar Drinkt[/caption]

Be prepared to be wowed by insane amounts of bartending talent!

There’ll be live music, good food and a special Diplomàtico Cocktail Bar. They are all set up on the picturesque alfresco terrace.

When: Thursday, 16 March 2017, 3:30pm to 10:00pm
Find out more here.

Havana Nights

To shake up your evenings, we present everyone’s favourite Havana Nights! This is a usual Friday affair on the breezy outdoor terrace.

[caption id="attachment_23824" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image credit: Hungry Go Where[/caption]

Look forward to a groovy beach-themed affair and an unforgettable evening of salsa dancing and live music.

There’ll be succulent barbecue meats and a pop-up Pomaika’i Cocktail Bar.

When: Friday, 17 March 2017; 6:30pm to 10:00pm

Guest Bartender Hiroyasu Kayama

What’s a more perfect way to end your Sunday evening than to unwind with a cocktail? To have a glass made by Japan’s top mixologist perhaps!

[caption id="attachment_23829" align="aligncenter" width="2340"] Image credit: Punch[/caption]

Hiroyasu Kayama hails from Ben Fiddich Tokyo. The bar ranks 21st in Asia’s 50 Best Bars Awards 2016. Impressive.

Be sure to order Kayama’s cannot-be-missed drink, “The Botanist Forest”. It’s a creative and refreshing botanical concoction. All made with an assortment of exotic herbs.

[caption id="attachment_23844" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] The Botanist Forest[/caption]

Consider your Sunday night plans made.

When: Sunday, 19 March 2017, 8:00pm to 10:00pm

All these are happening at Singapore’s premier resort destination: Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island.

[caption id="attachment_23830" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image credit: DestinAsian[/caption]

 

Are you ready to mix it up at Asia’s largest celebration of cocktails?

Bob’s Bar @ Capella Singapore
Address: 1 The Knolls Sentosa Island Singapore 098297
Dates: 16 – 21 March 2017
Tel: +65 6377 8888
Also, read An Acai Affair: Fall In Love With Healthy, Delicious & Instagram-able Acai Bowls

The Tippling Club: Where You’ll Not Only Sip Cocktails, But Also Smell Them!

With the introduction of new head bartender, Joe Schofield, Tippling Club has revamped their cocktail menu. Their new menu, titled Sensorium, seeks to unify aromas with spirits to invoke memories and emotions of our experiences.

“80 per cent of the flavours we taste come from our sense of smell”

It’s with this idea that the new menu was conceptualised. We’ll now not only sip cocktails, but also smell them! Sounds awesome, no?

Credits: Bless Press

Widely regarded as an innovative and forward thinking bar, the Tippling Club’s new menu has proven once again, that they’re ahead of the game.

The birth of the Sensorium Menu

The new menu places the emphasis on the aromatic rather than alcoholic.

Nothing stirs up cherished childhood memories like the smell of red crayons

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The idea was that customers should choose their preferred cocktails based on an aroma that interests them. It’s about your personality, your chosen smell, more than the choice of alcohol.

The process

We were honoured to have been given the opportunity to attend a tasting session.

First, they presented the whole menu through a bouquet of perfumed blotters.

credits: Bless Press

Scofield encouraged us to smell each one and to pick out our favorite scents. This was in line with their philosophy of placing precedence on smell.

And god, did they smell amazing.

He even stated at one point that he would be happy to see customers ‘stealing’ the blotters to keep for memories sake.

After showing us the scents and cocktails, it was time to taste them.

‘Potentially, we could be the first bar in Singapore to marry aromatic fragrance to our cocktails to such an extent. Perhaps even globally.’ Chef-Owner Ryan Clift

Well, we don’t doubt him.  The cocktails did not disappoint.

Cocktail – Rain

Have you ever actually thought about how rain smells like?

credits: Bless Press

Somehow, Tippling Club has managed to accurately capture the scents that immediately invoked my memories of rainfall upon the first whiff.

Rain is a eclectic mix of citrus, soda and vodka, served with an edible stone.

Don’t worry, the stone, unlike its namesake, is actually cushiony. The initial bite is chalky, but it soon melts in your mouth for that earthy aftertaste, just like how I feel rain would taste like.

The drink itself is light and refreshing. The flavours and the alcohol were delicately balanced.

The Negroni

They say you can’t beat a classic.

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Well, we think that Tippling Club has just made the classic even better! Negroni doesn’t just taste good – it smells just as delish!

Essentially still equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and campari, Tippling Club used ultrasonic sound waves to emulate a barrel-aged flavour. The traditional orange garnish is actually a negroni-flavoured gelatine mix!

Refreshing, punchy, and uplifting. We’d love to go for seconds.

The Campfire

Do you reminisce your adventurous days spent outdoors by the campfire?

This cocktail will help you relive those memories.

credits: Bless Press

This is an incredible melody of marshmallow milk, burnt syrup, ash and gin, served together with a slightly roasted marshmallow.

How does it smell? Smoky, and absolutely delectable. We never thought we could describe a smell as delicious, until now.

The Caramel

The caramel was a clear favourite both in terms of sight and smell.

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The aroma was pleasantly tart, elevating the rich, saccharine flavour of caramel with just a hint of citrus and rum.

The drink itself proved to be well balanced and not overly sweet, served along with a salted caramel lollipop made in house.

No better treat than this.

Details

The cocktails on the Sensorium menu go for 22SGD a pop, which was a pleasant surprise. With such detailed thought and meticulous care put into the menu and cocktails, we fully expected them to go for more conventional premium prices.

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Alas, we forgot that Tippling Club does not do conventional, they’re that special round peg in a square hole. Furthermore, it only goes to show that the priorities of Tippling Club are to delight their customers.

Tippling Club
Address: 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461
Opening Hours (Bar): 12:00PM to 12:00AM (Mon – Fri), 06:00PM to 12:00AM (Sat), Closed on Sundays.
Call/Enquiries: 64752217/ [email protected]

This was an invited tasting session.

Image credits: Tippling Club

Also, read Crab Buffets So Amazing That You’ll Have To Crabwalk Out The Door After!

Laksa Cocktail? 8 Whacky Singaporean Cocktails You Need To Try!

Let’s be honest, for people who aren’t exactly the fiercest of patriots, we are surprisingly crazy for any food/beverage that has local twists to them. With Salted Egg Yolk hogging the spotlight for the past couple of weeks, we’d like to take the chance to introduce the cocktail equivalent of the McDonald’s Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger.

Kidding. Had you for a second there, didn’t we?

Seriously, though, you never know if a Salted Egg Yolk cocktail is coming our way. In the meantime, we did some prowling in our bar scene. Guess what? We came across several locally inspired drinks, Singaporean cocktails specifically, whose weirdness rivals that of the imaginary Salted Egg Yolk’s.

Unusual yet delicious, we present you seven whacky and uniquely Singaporean cocktails you need to try.

1. Stylo Milo

[caption id="attachment_11168" align="alignnone" width="670"] Even the cup is green.
Source: Weekender
[/caption]

Straight from the Kopitiam is Stylo Milo, Ding Dong’s playful take on our favourite childhood drink. More than just freshly brewed Milo and condensed milk, Stylo Milo also features a dash of Hakushu Distillers Reserve’s whisky and green chartreuse. This guys, is how you drink Milo peng in style.

Ding Dong
Address: 115 Amoy Street #01-02, S069935
Contact: 6557 0189
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am; Sat, 6pm – 12am

2. Kaya Toast Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11170" align="alignnone" width="640"]Source: @gourmetandtravel Source: @gourmetandtravel[/caption]

Need some toast to go with your Milo? Fret not, 3. Mr. Bean [caption id="attachment_11171" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Source: Saveur Source: Saveur[/caption]

A modern take on tao huey, this beancurd cocktail is a signature drink from Jekyll & Hyde that consists of butterscotch liqeuer, kaya, frangelico, vodka and of course, beancurd. Yes, there is actual tao huey in it. Not just some chapalang beancurd, but the renowned Lao Ban beancurd is what is used for this concoction. This is a creamy, sweet and hazelnutty drink that we think is great on its own.

Jekyll & Hyde
Address: 49 Tras Street S078988
Contact: 6222 3349

4. Prawn Noodle Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11172" align="alignnone" width="960"]Source: KUVO Singapore Source: KUVO Singapore[/caption]

It’s not enough that Kuvo serves its own rendition of the traditional Prawn Noodle Soup. It serves also the Prawn Noodle Cocktail! Comprising of the ingredients you’ll find in your everyday Prawn Noodle Soup, be warned that this unorthodox concoction may be a little too exotic for some.

Kuvo
Address: 321 Orchard Road, #02-01 S238866
Contact: 6733 8272
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 12pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 12pm – 2am; Sun 12pm – 1am

5. Laksa Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11541" align="alignnone" width="421"]364c3048631b95359e1151462_original Source: Burpple[/caption]

A frothy beverage made of laksa leaves, coriander, ginger, chilli, lime juice, egg white and rum, the Laksa Cocktail by Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is a cocktail with a kick. Slightly creamy, this distinctly aromatic blend is a pretty good Singaporean cocktail rendition of the traditional laksa. On a side note, how old school is the name Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall?

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
Address: 60A Boat Quay, S049848
Contact: 6535 0838
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 6pm – 12am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 3am

6. Chicken Rice Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11174" align="alignnone" width="788"]Source: Gourmetadventures Source: Gourmetadventures[/caption]

Served in a traditional teacup of sorts, the Chicken Rice Cocktail from 7. Nonya Crack [caption id="attachment_11175" align="alignnone" width="700"]Source: Chope Source: Chope[/caption]

A concoction similar to Baileys, Singaporean cocktail of batida de coco, pandan, milk, pink salt and rum. This is another Singaporean cocktail we’d recommend as a dessert cocktail.

6327 4820
Opening hours: Daily, 4pm – 1am

8. Liang Teh

[caption id="attachment_11176" align="alignnone" width="382"]Source: The Straits Times Source: The Straits Times[/caption]

Feeling a little heaty from the laksa and chicken rice? Maison Ikkoku presents to you the Liang Teh. A mixture of chrysanthemum, luo han guo, xia gu chao, red dates, ginseng and white spirits, traditional herbal tea has just gotten better. If only our ah ma had thought of this.

Maison Ikkoku
Address: 20 Kandahar Street, S198885
Contact: 6294 0078
Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 6pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 2am

With these eight cocktails, there really is no better time to let your Singaporean-ness shine. So unleash your inner alcoholic patriot and get started on these whacky Singaporean cocktails!

(Header image by Weekender, words by editor)

Also, read Verdict Is Out! Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore For Best Food Under $45

7 Best Happy Hour Deals In Town That Will Not Burn A Hole In Your Pocket

Rated one of the most expensive cities in Asia for alcohol, it would seem logical for alcoholics to be seen at neighbourhood coffeeshops instead of exorbitant bars and pubs that will rip you off your wallet. Well, drinking in Singapore doesn’t necessarily have to cost you a bomb. With awesome happy hour promotions, booze prices are slashed and your wallet gets a little breather.

Here’s our take on great happy hours places that aren’t hidden at the far ends of Singapore. With pubs, bars and restaurants located all at the central area – Orchard Road and Bras Basah, you’ll never have to travel far to get your cheap booze.

1. Loof

[caption id="attachment_8794" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Loof Bar Image credit: Loof[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8795" align="alignnone" width="1024"]loof bar Image credit: Loof[/caption]

At Loof, the early bird catches the best prices. Awarded Singapore’s best rooftop bar, it is one of the most dope spots in downtown CBD. Bask in its urban garden and take in the best view of Raffles Hotel, or soak up beats from resident DJs and theme party nights. From 5pm to 8pm on weekdays, all drink prices will match according to the time. Housepours, wines and beer are $5 from 5-6pm, $6 from 6-7pm and $7 from 7-8pm. Arrive early for cheaper drinks! With such prices, imagine the number of glasses we’d be ordering.

kpo cafe bar Image credit: sgasiacity[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8811" align="alignnone" width="1024"]kpo bar Image credit: wearespaces[/caption]

After a dramatic makeover of the iconic Killiney Post Office, KPO opened its door in 2010. It now accommodates up to 500 people with both indoor and outdoor seating available. This bar has become a staple on Orchard Road.

Happy hours happen daily till 8pm and day-time alcoholics will rejoice over housepour wines and spirits that are available from $10 to $11 and beers on tap from $12. For the ladies, head down on Wednesday nights for martinis at $8. Enjoy the tunes that their DJs spin or listen to hip-swaying music as you kick back and relax over a cold pint of beer or wine. Chill the night away while you enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life.

icecoldbeer Emerald Hill outlet, Image credit: icecoldbeer[/caption]

Opened in 1994, Ice-Cold Beer is housed in a restored Peranakan shop house and offers customers icy-cold beers from unique ice tanks. Beers are served in beer glasses chilled to -3 degrees Celsius to keep them icy-cold for a long time. Choose from over 60 types of bottled and draught beers from local to international beers.

During happy hour, get a pint of Hoegaarden at $11 nett or a jug of Stella Artois at $23. Located just off the busy Orchard Road, Ice-Cold Beer allows its customers to relax in its quiet and comforting space. They also have another outlet at SMU where you can get a 2 bottle deal of Kronenberg Blanc for $15. Reasonably priced cold beers served by friendly staff in a relax casual environment – sounds good!


Happy Hour: Daily 11am – 9pm
Address: 50 Stamford Rd #01-01, Singapore 178899
Contact: 65 6837 3585
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-12am, Fri, Sat, Eve of PH 5pm-3am 11am-1am, Sun/PH 4pm-12am

4. Tanuki Raw

[caption id="attachment_8798" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Tanuki Bar Orchard Central Image credit: Tanuki Bar[/caption]

Known for its insane happiest hours where freshly shucked oysters go for $2, martinis and cocktails for $10, a pint of beer of $12, this place is the most value-for-money food and drink spot along Orchard Road. Enjoy happy hours from 5pm-8pm daily after a hard day’s work. Choose between enjoying live music on their alfresco balcony overlooking Orchard Road, or on their patio in the beautiful Bras Basah civic district.

Need we say more? With happy hours including fresh oysters and a good cold cocktail or beer, this is the place to be hanging out comfortably after a long day without burning a hole in your pocket. What’s more, enjoy these prices without any extra service tax or GST. Do note that Tanuki Raw does not take reservations so remember to arrive early to avoid long queues.

Tanuki Raw (Orchard Central) 
Happy Hour: 5pm-8pm
Address: 181 Orchard Road, #04-01 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896
Contact: 65 6636 5949
Opening Hours: Daily 1130am-1030pm

Tanuki Raw (Kapok)
Happy Hour: 5pm-8pm
Address: 111 Middle Road, #01-05 National Design Centre, Singapore 188969
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-10pm

5. Five Izakaya

[caption id="attachment_8799" align="alignnone" width="640"]fiv-bar cuppage Image credit: paowmagazine[/caption]

Five Izakaya is Singapore’s first Tachinomi Izakaya inspired bar. Modelled after the 300-Yen bars, the “five” in their name refers to the price of the drinks. Yes, you can get Asahi, Shochu, Choya, and basically every drink here at $5! It’s not a gimmick. It’s happy hour here everyday, at anytime! Even the snacks here are $5. Unbelievable.

Five Izakaya has 4 outlets. One of them is just off Orchard Road at Cuppage Terrace. Enjoy live music and cosy ambience with drinks and food at affordable prices. With such cheap prices in town, this is the perfect place to catch up and chill out after a long day at work. Getting a seat here might prove challenging. Hence, visit early or make a reservation at least 1 day in advance! Do check out their other 3 outlets and opening hours
Happy Hour: Everyday, anytime
Address: 25 Cuppage Road, Cuppage Terrace, Singapore 229454
Contact: 65 6733 8097
Opening Hours: 5pm – 12am Daily

6. No. 5 Emerald Hill

[caption id="attachment_8802" align="alignnone" width="1024"]5 emerald hill Image credit: moneysmart[/caption]

Located conveniently a street away from Orchard Road, this Peranakan-style bar has a number of extremely cost saving drink options. It has the longest happy hour session in town with deals from 12pm to 9pm followed by Martini specials from 9pm all the way to 1am. With two Martinis for $16, this bar has won our hearts for late night drinks in the city. Their wide range of cocktails including Chilli Vodka and No. 5 Cocktail are not to be missed. The drinks pair delightfully with their famous Prawn Paste Chicken Wings and selection of Pizzas.

Their relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere has remained unchanged over the years; and that has drawn us back every time.

Bar Canary Image credit: Park Hotel Group[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8807" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Bar Canary Image credit: Park Hotel Group[/caption]

Located strategically in the heart of Orchard, Bar Canary is an open-air bar perched on the fourth level of 5-star Grand Park Orchard Hotel. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Bar Canary provides an idyllic oasis for shoppers and busy working adults to relax. With mesmerising fairy lights illuminating its alfresco bar, its atmosphere is spot on and it is one of Orchard Road’s hidden gem.

Beat the clock and jumpstart your happy hour at the Bar Canary with their special deals available from 6pm to 9pm. Round up your friends and colleagues and choose from a bucket of 8 bottled beers or a set of house red or white wine and your choice of 4 signature cocktails from $60++ at 6pm, $70++ at 7pm, $80++ at 8pm and $90++ at 9pm. At Bar Canary the early bird gets the cheap booze! Cocktail fans might want to try their signature Coco Chanel. Coconut liqueur shaken with gold rum, fresh coconut water, lime juice, fresh mint and wheatgrass which leaves a refreshing taste.

For some mid-week fun, on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm, girls get free flow champagne, housepour wines, spirits and signature cocktails at $50++ while men pay $100++. Head down to Bar Canary and enjoy a good catch up session with your friends and colleagues!

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