The buzz: Just when you thought the whole speakeasy trend had died, Jigger & Pony alum Sam Wong opens a spanking new cocktail joint just next to The Spiffy Dapper, in a cozy space once occupied by café Homebodies.
The décor: Simple IKEA-style furniture and mismatched couches lend a house party feel to the place. Little touches like old school “Gold Cock Brand” glasses add to the retro-local aesthetics suggested by its name, though fortunately nothing gets too heavy-handed.
The drinks: There’s no menu, so just go up to the bar and tell them what you feel like having; prices range from $10 for selected neat drinks to $30 for truly fancy cocktails. We went for classics—an old fashioned and mint julep (starting at $20)—and they were well-executed, tasty and strong.
The food: Complimentary prawn crackers for now, but Wong also plans on introducing a food menu, with traditional snacks like big bao and chicken bao buns.
The music: None. All you hear is chatter.
The crowd: Mostly Sam’s fans, who followed him here from Jigger & Pony. We hear some of the local bartending crowd hang out here, too, even occasionally getting behind the bar to strut their stuff.
Why you’ll be back: It’s the latest hush-hush drinking hole in town for insiders only. Plus, sipping on one of Sam’s concoctions while looking out at the craziness of Boat Quay below feels plain cool, in an eye-of-the-storm way.
Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is in I-S Best Bars Guide 2014. Download your copy to see where else you should be partying.
