As nice at it would be to have your cocktails served by a mixologist and your wines poured by a sommelier every time you feel like having a drink, sometimes you just want to imbibe in the comfort of your own home. Even more so nowadays, with working from home arrangements being such a big part of the new normal. That’s where bottle shops come in. Here are some of the best ones around.
1855 The Bottle Shop
Named after the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines, 1855 has a bottle for every occasion, from everyday varietals to champagnes that won’t break the bank to magnums of iconic First Growth vintages priced in the high four figures.
Website: www.1855thebottleshop.com
Address: Nine outlets islandwide
Opening hours: Varies by outlet
Bottles & Bottles
Need to pick up a bottle of vino for that fuss-free occasion? Bottles & Bottles makes it an easy affair with convenient retail locations around the island, with shelves stacked to the brim and in a way that makes for accessible browsing. Visit the sister 8 by Bottles & Bottles if you are looking for a place to open a bottle and chill.
Website: www.bottlesandbottles.com.sg
Address: Ten outlets islandwide
Opening hours: Varies by outlet
Cellarbration
This lesser-known bottle shop chain offers some of the best prices (read: affordable) in town, and sometimes that’s all the motivation we need to make a purchase. Their delivery service is also one of the most value-for-money, with no minimum purchase required if you sign up to be a member (which is also free, and gives you a 10% discount).
Website: www.cellarbration.com.sg
Address: 13 outlets slandwide
Opening hours: Varies by outlet
EC Proof
If you reckon you’ve got the bartending skills to shake it with the best of them, then online store EC Proof is the place to get spirits, bitters, tools and books for your home bar. Look out for their special events too.
Website: ecproof.com
Grand Cru Wine Concierge
A wine bottle shop manned by sommeliers? Sounds like the place to be for real collectors and true oenophiles. They’ve got a good range of highly-rated bottles, including 100-pointer labels, which you can even pop open to drink at the space outside. Can’t find what you’re looking for? They can source bottles for you and have ’em delivered too.
Website: grandcruwines.com
Address: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square #01-07, Singapore 049178
Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 12pm to 7pm. Closed on Sun and public holidays.
La Maison du Whisky
Boasting one of the largest collection of whiskies (including really rare bottlings) in a single retail space isn’t even the best thing about La Maison du Whisky. It’s the people running the place; generous, hospitable folk who are willing to share passionately about their products, and most importantly, who also allow guests to taste many of the stock they have before they buy. Amazing.
Website: www.whisky.sg
Address: 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-10 The Pier, Singapore 239013
Opening hours (retail and bar): Tue to Thur, 4pm to 12am. Fri and Sat, 4pm to 2am. Closed on Sun and Mon.
Nectars & Vine
Technically a bottle shop offering booze at retail prices, though most folk come here for a dressed-down evening to kick back and enjoy the company of friends. It’s like a Serangoon neighbourhood dive bar, perfect for cheap drinks after a prata supper sesh.
Website: www.instagram.com/nectarsandvine
Address: 752 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534623
Orihara Shoten
They’re known for being one of the best izakayas in town, but the people behind Orihara are actually also in the alcohol distribution business. This means you’ll find craft sake, sochu, umeshu and many other hard-to-find bottlings from Japan you won’t get anywhere else. Sake lovers, be prepared to come empty handed but leave with your hands full once you peek inside their fridges.
Website: www.facebook.com/oriharashouten
Address: 11 Unity Street #01-01/02, Robertson Walk, Singapore 237995
Opening hours: Mon to Wed, 7pm to 12am. Thur to Sat, 7pm to 1.30am. Closed on Sun.
Temple Cellars
This place is a drinks writer’s dream. They’ve got everything here: craft beer, boutique wine, mead, cider, sake, spirits (from absinthe to whisky and everything in between) and even that non-alcoholic Seedlip stuff. If you’re looking for a Singaporean label, they’ll probably carry it too. Plus, it’s also a bar with craft beers on tap available, just in case you feel like staying for a drink or two before hauling your loot back home. They also offer free delivery for spending from just $49, or within the hour for $199.
Website: www.templecellars.com
Address: 31 Binjai Park, Singapore 589832; and UE Square, #01-12, 81 Clemenceau Ave, Singapore 239917
Opening hours: (Binjai Park) Mon to Thu, 12pm to 8pm; Fri to Sat, 12pm to 10pm; Sun, 12pm to 8pm. (UE Square) Mon to Thu ; 2pm to 10.30pm; Fri to Sat, 12pm to 11.30pm; Sun, 12pm to 10.30pm.
Wine Connection
Find over 300 labels of wines from around the world, as well as craft beers, glassware and related accessories and selected delicatessen products at Wine Connection. Since its inception in 1998, it has become the largest chain of wine retail shops and full-service wine-themed restaurants in Southeast Asia – with 32 shops in Singapore alone. It recently opened its 15th restaurant at Westgate with affordable food and wine pairing, and a wide selection of wines by the glass
Website: wineconnection.com.sg
Address: 32 outlet islandwide
Opening hours: Varies by outlet
