For a long time, speakeasy-style cocktail bar 28HKS was the main reason to go to the streets between Hong Lim Park and Boat Quay. Then over the last two years came a slew of new openings, such as the new location of Bacchanalia, the opening of tapas joint FOC and the arrival of South American-themed bar and restaurant Vasco. And starting in 2016, there seems to be another wave of new openings on Hong Kong Street and the surrounding area, and we couldn’t be more excited. Here are some great reasons to head down asap.
There’s a hush-hush new industry preview
While it’s all a little hush-hush at the moment, we do know that The Proof Flat is a new fine spirits salon from the folks who brought you 28 HongKong Street and Proof & Company. Located at 43A HongKong Street, the beautiful space is all about tufted couches, backlit bottles of fine spirits, industry workshops and tastings, and a bit of retail. RSVP for one of their Salon Sessions (Mar 14-19, 5-7pm) during the Singapore Cocktail Week to get a first glimpse.
And a chic new co-working space
Occupying three shophouses, new co-working space The Hive offers everything from single desks to private offices with a rooftop café to boot. They also organize regular networking events.
Japanese whisky fans have a new option
A short walk around the corner, on Upper Circular Road, you’ll find this broody, blondwood-and-glass bar. With top-shelf service from a team led by sommelier Daisuke Kawai, La Terre is the perfect place for refined conversation over a few fine wines and whiskies. The bottle list for both is exhaustive, with something like two dozen options from Karuizawa distillers alone, though only some are available by the glass. The booze may be pricey but the bar bites are affordable and good. The duck rillettes ($12) are excellent and come with good bread. There’s also stuff like marinated mushrooms and olives ($6 per plate) and a cheese selection ($6 per 25g).
As do lovers of brunch spot Ronin
One block over on North Canal Road, the people behind brunch hotspot Ronin have opened a gorgeous new cafe, with soaring ceilings, elaborate foliage, clean lines, Zen garden vibes, excellent coffee and easy, Instagrammable food. Punch is a two-part space with a Brew Bar serving fancy single-origin coffee along with mini doughnut holes. The courtyard eating area does weekend brunch plates like poached eggs and American-style oatmeal porridge. They’re also open for lunch and dinner, serving grilled seabass with mango salsa and mussels in white wine sauce with sourdough toast.
And if you go this week…
…you can catch new-ish nose-to-tail restaurant Dehesa‘s week-long happy hour. Only till Mar 11 from 5-7pm, this nose-to-tail joint is offering a choice of free pulled pork sandwiches, fried squid and aioli sandwiches, scratchings and tripe with every purchase of Estrella beer ($12). For more updates, check out their event page.
