Key Concepts
- Local and regional spirits
- Art Deco aesthetic
- Gin variations and collections
- Martini variations
- Savoury cocktails
- Flavour pairings (food and cocktails)
- Hidden bar concept
- Urban alienation
- Cyberpunk themes
- Hospitality in bartending
- Free pouring
Native: Local and Regional Flavours
The video begins with a bartender who initially didn't plan to be in the industry but found happiness in it and eventually opened his own bar called Native. Native focuses on using local and regional spirits, some of which may be unfamiliar to many. A key example is a Sri Lankan arrack made from coconut wine. The bar also produces small-batch in-house gins with diverse flavours like lemongrass, kampot pepper, cacao husk, and chrysanthemum. The goal is to connect with consumers by working from the ground up, focusing on flavours, techniques, stories, and traditions.
ATLAS: Art Deco Elegance and Gin Collection
The next stop is ATLAS, a bar located in Park View Square, a Neo-gothic building designed as an ode to the Art Deco buildings of the 1920s and 30s. The bar's theme and aesthetics are heavily influenced by this era. ATLAS boasts a gin tower, a centrepiece holding between 1200 and 1400 gins, potentially the largest gin collection in the world. It also features a champagne room with 240 levels of champagne. They offer gins that may not be available elsewhere in Asia or Singapore, including a gin with ants from Cambridge Distillery and their Watenshi Gin, considered the most expensive retail gin. The ATLAS Martini is a signature drink that incorporates umbrato vermouth and champagne vinegar, connecting the gin tower and champagne room. The bar's success is attributed to passion and a focus on hospitality, prioritizing the customer's experience and making them feel special.
Bar Somma: Savoury Cocktails and Culinary Integration
Bar Somma, located in River Valley, is known for its cocktails designed to complement a fine-dining menu. Mel, the bartender, has a history of working with chefs, which has led him to explore flavour combinations and kitchen techniques in his cocktails. Somma has an R&D kitchen where bartenders and chefs collaborate. A key trend is the rise of savoury cocktails, and Somma has a dedicated section for them. The Bolognese Muse is a notable example, incorporating ingredients from the pasta dish, such as beef broth, mirepoix, and fresh tomatoes, along with whiskey, clarified through a cooking process.
Night Hawk: Hidden Bar and Thematic Cocktails
Night Hawk is a hidden bar in Tanjong Pagar, inspired by Edward Hopper's painting "Nighthawks," aiming to evoke feelings of urban alienation and voyeurism. The bar is unmarked, creating a sense of discovery. The drink menu follows a strict theme, with names referencing astrology, mechanics, sci-fi, and cyberpunk. The "Kick Artist Fix" is a Manhattan-style drink inspired by maple pancakes, using rye, maple syrup, sherry, and brown butter fat-washing to create a pancake flavour, topped with a mini pancake and smoked maple mousse. "Petrichor Tangible" is a Gibson Martini-style cocktail using beetroot to capture the earthy smell of rain. The bar's small size allows for personalized hospitality and service. The goal is for customers to leave a little bit happier than when they arrived.
Employees Only: Energy and Hospitality
Employees Only (EO), originally from New York, has a location in Singapore known for its energy and vibrant atmosphere. The Singapore location adapts the New York experience to the local context, incorporating Singaporean flavours. Bartenders at EO free pour, which is seen as a form of hospitality, acknowledging customers and making the service more personal. Free pouring is also considered a unique bartending style that requires training. The emphasis is on hosting guests the way they want to be hosted, creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
The Singapore cocktail scene is diverse and innovative, ranging from bars focused on local ingredients and traditions to those embracing international trends and themes. Key elements for success include a focus on hospitality, experimentation with flavours, and creating unique experiences for customers. Whether it's the hidden charm of Night Hawk, the Art Deco elegance of ATLAS, the culinary integration of Bar Somma, or the energetic atmosphere of Employees Only, each bar offers a distinct perspective on what a cocktail experience can be.
AI summaries can miss context or contain errors. Check important details against the original video.