The buzz: If you’re already a fan of Caribbean restaurant Lime House at Jiak Chuan, then you’ll be glad to know that they’ve recently launched their extended bar just upstairs called Bago (pronounced “bay-go”). It’s also possibly got the biggest rum selection in town, with over 150 labels covering pretty much every tropical former colony you can think of, from Guyana to India.
The vibe: Walk up the stairs from the side door of Lime House and you’ll be transported into a dimly lit, cozy lounge venue, the kind where in years gone by, gentlemen with linen suits might smoke cigars and listen to crackling records. This laidback and intimate tropical-themed space on the second floor is littered with rustic light fixtures and wooden furniture. Bago at Lime House can seat 40 people at any one time.
The drinks: They have an extended list of over 150 types of rum, comprising brands like Caroni (from $17), Mount Gay (from $16 per glass), the Diplomatico (from $17 per glass), Havana Club (from $16), Clement (from $19 per glass) and more. Of course, there’s a high chance you’ll be there for their cocktails. Highlights include the Bushfire ($22), Mount Gay Black Barrel mixed with burnt lavender and herbs; and the Kingston ($35), which has Appleton 21-Year-Old rum, port, Amer Picon and smoked cherry wood. But if you prefer a personalized concoction, then order the Bago Build ($25), which lets you customize your own drink. If you’re interested to know more about the the influence and history behind the rums, just speak to Bago’s head bartender, Davide Boncimino, who formerly held residency at one of the world’s 100 Best Bars located in London.
The food: No one does Caribbean food in Singapore like Lime House, and that extends to the brief, drinking food menu at Bago. The tapas-style bar bites are great for sharing, and fill you up too. Try the jerk beef sliders ($18) dressed in Jamaican jerk sauce, the saheenas, which is a vegetarian dish made of split peas and potato fritters, served with tamarind sauce, or the grilled prawns with mango salsa ($18). But if you do want something milder, the mini fried bakes and fish ($16), which some of us found a little bland while others said it was comforting, will fix you right up.
Why we’ll be back: The snacks are amazing, the rum selection is unprecedented in town and the interiors are super sexy. What more do you want? We have something else: frequent visitors get a Bago Rum Passport to receive stamps—just like a normal passport—that will “document” your rum journey every time you order a drink. These will give you entitlements such as exclusive invitations to rum previews, Lime House’s signature rum dinners and more.
