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This snazzy little bar tucked amongst the dodgy shops along Mosque Street may be low profile (they don’t have a website or Twitter) but it boasts plenty of art cred, being the brainchild of Malaysian designer P.C. Ee. This small, speakeasytype space is packed with plenty of style, bearing lots of unfinished brick, concrete and metal for an industrial-chic vibe, which make a great backdrop for the underground art it showcases, such as the work of Thai graffiti artist P7. Complete the experience with Thai bites and cocktails ($15) created with Asian ingredients like pandan syrup, lemongrass and bandung.
7adam
Situated atop a hill off Adam Road in a tranquil black-and-white colonial building, this not-sohidden gem is a fusion bar-restaurant that doubles up as an art gallery. Coming here feels a bit like stepping into a moneyed art connoisseur’s house, what with paintings on the walls and sculptures displayed quite nonchalantly in various rooms. Swing by before July 23 and you’ll catch an exhibition of Malaysian artist Eng Tay’s Boteroesque works, inspired by and revolving around the concept of family. Although it’s best known for its European-Asian food, we’re certain appreciating the artwork here with a glass of wine or two wouldn’t go down too badly either.
The Vault
As if being one of the mpst popular bars in town wasn’t enough, this Chinatown joint has been hitting the sweet spot between corporate-chic and indie-cool lately. With its rotating showcase of local contemporary art, bimonthly Sunday Artists Market (next one’s on June 2, 11am) and flash mob art performance Stand Up For Artists Rights! (just past), it’s now steadily becoming a hangout for local music, art and fashion types. (Adorning the walls right now are Amanda Ang’s (An Everyday Muse) pieces.) The drinks aren’t terribly inventive, but you’ll want them handy as you join in the ruckus—the monthly exhibition openings are a great excuse to drop by.
Mad Nest
Well known to Easties, this airy restaurantgallery along East Coast Road is one of the few art spaces in an area almost totally dominated by food. It’s no surprise that the menu is staggering and covers practically all the bases, from Italian to Japanese to North Indian food, and that the drinks list is equally diverse. (They’re tweaking the alcohol menu right now, but we hope the fun craft beer and cider selection stays.) Artistically, the stuff on show here veers towards the friendly and harmlessly quirky—the kind of inoffensive stuff you’d buy as a gift, perhaps. Case in point: the current exhibition (through May 30) features illustrations based on street style snaps on websites like Shentonista and Sartorial Daily.
