A themed cocktail joint along Boat Quay is usually a recipe for disaster. But not when industry powerhouses Michael Callahan and Celia Schoonraad are at the helm – the former is the founding bartender and co-owner of 28 HongKong Street while the latter has done bartending stints across Europe, Australia and America. Needless to say, if anyone can make this two-storey space that spans three shophouses work, these two can.
The original Barbary Coast bar is inspired by the San Francisco district of the same name back in the mid-1800s, where miners flocked in during the gold rush. This gave rise to two bars that capture the essence of the coast. After a recent revamp, the two concepts now exist as standalone venues with independent menus – Barbary Coast upstairs, and Deadfall Cantina downstairs. Deadfall Cantina is now an homage to all things Mexico. And then there's Ballroom by Barbary Coast. This second storey space could not be more different from the first – with mismatched floral wallpaper, glittering chandeliers over plush velvet settees. The menu here is a folklore-focused one, with cocktails inspired by folktales from all over the world.