Singapore Snags 6 spots on World’s 50 Best Bars list

Hear ye, hear ye, this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars was officially released on 5th October 2017 and, while there are the usual New York bigwigs and London suspects, Singapore proved a force to be reckoned with, with an impressive 6 spots on the list. All the better to toast ourselves with!

7th Place: Manhattan at the Regent Hotel 

Ah yes, the bar we go to if we’re feeling in the mood for some Prohibition Era America (as one does). We love the regal drapes, textures of velvet and leather, and rich bronze tones, but our favourite ogling spot has got to be the staggering display of custom casks, filled with expertly reconstructed classics, in The Rickhouse.

Don’t try to finish everything on the incredibly extensive menu all at once; we recommend starting with the cocktail menu, which uses a few of the spirits anyway. It’s sorted by era (beginning with the 1520s!), so grab a group and have every person select one drink from each period to try.

If you’ve been there, you’ll know why this super swish hotel bar totally deserves its 7th place spot and, ahem, the title of Best Bar in Asia 2017.

Find it at 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 2, The Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore 249715
Book a table at Manhattan and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

 

15th Place: Atlas

From Atlas Bar

Looks like we’ve stumbled upon the formula for success when it comes to getting Singaporean bars on the World’s Best list – grand, historical-style decor coupled with excellent liquors. Of course, the interiors miiight need to look like it was transplanted from a time when Art Deco ruled, and the spirits miiight need to be 1,000 gins from countries near and far, stocked in a looming tower behind the bar – but if you can hack it, then we think you stand a good chance.

Pro tip: Because haters gonna hate, Atlas also stocks some pretty fabulous champagne for those who aren’t quite fans of the taste of juniper.

Find it at Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778
Click here for more info on Atlas

 

24th Place: Operation Dagger

From Operation Dagger Facebook

Remember what we just said about opulent design? Operation Dagger bucks that trend and make us eat our words. Forget in-your-face glamour, this tiny bar requires you to stretch your detective skills just to find the entrance. Spy an inconspicuous doodle on the outside, peer into the glass blocks on the ground, and bingo, you’ve cracked the case.

The underground den is lit only by a cloud of light bulbs dangling overhead, casting a burnished glow on concrete tables and open shelving packed with mysteriously labelled bottles. Great for cool, Instagram selfies, but you might need a posse of torch-shiners to get well-lit food shots.

Minimal though the look may be, the drinks themselves aren’t shy to wallop you in the face with unique pairings and strange ingredients. What exactly? You’ll have to find out for yourself. #somysterious

Find it at 7 Ann Siang Hill, #B1-01, Singapore 069791
Click here for more info on Operation Dagger

 

28th Place: 28 Hong Kong Street

From 28 Hong Kong Street Facebook

Back in our younger hipster days, dear reader, 28 Hong Kong Street’s nameless exterior and plain, panelled storefront made us feel like the coolest bunch around. We’re older now, and a little lousier in the sense of direction department, so it’s a good thing the bar’s name doubles up as its address, but the jazzy tunes and cosy booth seats of this 1920s American-style drinking hole still holds a special place in our hearts. We come here to snack on indulgent bar bites like mac ’n’ cheese ball and wash them down with lip-smacking iterations of alcoholic classics.

Find it at 28 Hongkong St, Singapore 059667
Click here for more info on 28 Hongkong Street

 

31st Place: Tippling Club

If we’re in the Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood, it’s probably to stuff our faces with fried chicken or Korean barbecue. Occasionally, however, when we feel like ending the night with drinks and people watching, we wind up at Tippling Club – outside of course, so the miasma of barbecue smells radiating from us won’t suffocate the folk within. The drinks here aren’t just about flavour, although there’s plenty of the good stuff to go around, but play a lot with aromas and scents too. If you like the fun factor, quality food, and creative drinks that evoke leather, rain, and fire, then come right on in because you’ve hit the jackpot.

Find it at 38 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088461
Book a table at Tippling Club and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

 

47th Place: Native

From HoneyCombers.com

And the final Singaporean spot to make a coveted appearance is newcomer Native. Sure, it only opened in 2016, but when a bar boldly claims to use foraged ingredients in their creations, wouldn’t you sit up and take notice too? The idea is to connect the drinks with our surroundings so be prepared for familiar items like coconut yoghurt and sugar cane, plus a dash of the unknown in the form of weaver ants, turmeric leaves, and more. Nope, not a typo, that’s A. N. T. S. Ants. Full disclosure, we have yet to pay a visit to this Amoy Street resident (mainly because our foodie lifestyle is strictly regulated by our budgets) but we’re already making plans to remedy that. Let us know if you guys are already fans!

Find it at 52a Amoy St, Singapore 069878
Click here for more info on Native

While you’re at it, be sure to check out our guide to the best bars in Singapore.

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