Sake and shochu fans, take heart. There are plenty of great sake bars around Singapore to quench your thirst, from the hip and bustling to the broody and old school. Here are some of your top options.
510 Sake Bar
510 sake bar
Hidden Door Concepts’ newest venture is this Japanese sake gastrobar, which specializes in sake and craft beer, with over 100 craft beer brands and 50-something sake labels such as White Dog (US), Lucky Jack (US), Ginrei Gassan Junmai Ginjyo and Zuiyo Honjun Junmai. The group is also behind craft beer house Nickeldime Drafthouse (where Sake 510 is located), so you can expect quality beers on tap. While the bar has been up and running since October 2015, the food menu has a sizable range of bar bites featuring a fusion of Japanese and Western touches. Items like the pulled pork maki ($10), blue cheese beer maki ($10) and siracha nuts maki ($15) all come with drink pairing suggestions for both sake and beer.
Aoki Restaurant
Aoki Restaurant
It’s more swanky Japanese restaurant than casual bar which explains the chi-chi crowd, but its very premium sake list (with prices to match; award-winning Isojiman 2011 Nakatori Junmai Daiginjo 35% goes for $1,000/bottle with a SMV of +5 and a seimai-buai of 32%) is reason enough to pay it a visit. The Zen interior ensures the focus is firmly on chef Kunio Aoki’s simple yet contemporary fare; (though he’s no slouch, having even served Japanese emperor Akihito).
BAM! Tapas Sake Bar
Sample the unusual pairing of sake and Spanish tapas at this gastro bar, which features a menu that changes fortnightly depending on what’s available in the market. This casual Spanish-Japanese eatery by Chef Pepe Moncayo has close to 100 sake labels in the glass-paned cellar and of course, a sake sommelier on hand. On offer, are premium sake offerings from renowned distilleries like Juyondai, Nabeshima and Isojiman. Besides small plates, the restaurant also offers omakase and set lunches (from $38), with items such as cold capellini with tobiko and bamboo clam, quail with peanut, celery and apple, and Spanish pork with organic mushrooms and ginger rice. 38 Tras Street., 6226-0500. Open Mon-Wed 7pm-midnight; Thu-Sat 7pm-1.30am.
Bar Ippudo
Bar Ippudo
Located right across Ippudo Ramen, 12-seater sake gastrobar carries around 70 bottles of sake from over 20 sake breweries all over Japan, and the space doubles as a bottle shop, too. Pair each sake with otsumami, or bar bites like oden ($2 per ingredient), a yong tau foo-like dish comprising items like a boiled egg, daikon, fishcakes and konjac jelly; crispy corn ($6) and beef tataki ($6). #04-22/23 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Rd., 6235 0522. Open daily 1130am-10pm.
Fukuichi Japanese Dining
Skip the main dining room in favor of their al fresco terrace with its nice, relaxed vibe, dark furniture and dim lighting, populated by local and Japanese 30-somethings alike. It’s not just the laidback atmosphere that we find so appealing, it’s the well-stocked bar of around 70 premium sakes that’ll ensure a return visit. #02-11/12 TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Rd., 6271 5586. Open daily 12-3pm (lunch) and 6pm-midnight (dinner).
Kakure
The newest kid on the block at Scotts 29 lifestyle enclave is perfect for fans of sake. Dim lighting, a cosy wooden top bar and plush leathered seats add to the sexiness of this bar. A must-try is Kakure’s house sake, the Tatenokawa Junmai Daiginjo, Nakadori Ki-sho label ($60) which features a delicate aromatic brew with a fruity after taste. If you prefer something thats more soft and crisp, try the Kinshi Masamune, Matsuya Kyuubei Junmai Daiginjo label ($80) that features a clean, fresh aftertaste that goes easy on the palate. #02-02 Scotts 29, 29 Scotts Rd., 6733-5251. Mon-sat 6:30pm-1am.
Ikyu
Ikyu
Last year, this Tiong Bahru Japanese restaurant debuted a brand new dedicated sake bar that covers all types of the Japanese rice wine. Tucked away in Yong Siak Street, the sexy and dim restaurant offers fruity sake like yuzu umeshu ($98). Plus, there’s free delivery on all purchases above $150. 5 Yong Siak St. 9663-2003. Open Tue-Sun 11.30am-10.30pm.
Mikuni
Mikuni
A real highlight here is their very own certified sake sommelier, Sano Nobuhiko, who’s happy to talk you through the extensive list of drinks and food pairings. Combine that with a big, well-dressed space that houses a main dining room, an intimate live robatayaki counter (with only 10 seats), a teppanyaki station and a sushi/sashimi/sake bar, as well as modern Japanese dishes, and it’s easy to see why this is such a popular spot with those with generous company expense accounts. 3/F Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Rd. Open daily 12-2.30pm (lunch), 6.30-10.30pm (dinner).
Orihara Shoten
Specializing in sake, sochu and all things Japanese and boozy, this Singaporean offshoot of the well-known Japanese liquor store is a place to discover a still relatively under appreciated drink. #01-02 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St., 6836 5710. Open Mon-Wed 7pm-midnight; Thu-Sat 7pm-1:30am.
The Horse’s Mouth
The Horses’ Mouth
This underground bar is known for their Japanese-style drinks. Whether it’s using sake or other Japanese ingredients, the muted space is a backdrop for inventive concoctions. Splashes of color come from the origami-like cascades by the wall and you can order food from upstairs Uma Uma Ramen to fulfill that midnight craving. #B1-39 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6235-1088, Mon-Thu 6pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 6pm-1am.
