There's a new vinyl bar in town, and it's hidden in the basement of Mint Museum of Toys (where Mr Punch used to be). Sonic Youth and Joy Division posters flank the walls and leather and wooden accents fill the space, illuminated by mood lighting and a neon pink sign that reads "turn off your mind, relax & flow downstream."
It has all the makings of a safe sanctuary for audiophiles. Vertigo 26 is a new concept co-founded by music and movie veterans Eric Chan and Simon Chia. Throughout the day, the space functions as a record store where in-house listening is allowed. Curated by veteran local DJ Robin Chua (aka KidG of EATMEPOPTART), it boasts a catalogue of over 1,000 albums. Sift through rows of vinyl and cassettes spanning various genres and over five decades – be it Björk, Talking Heads, Billie Eilish, Amy Winehouse, Linkin Park or Bloc Party.
From 5pm, Vertigo 26 transforms into a bar with a mean cocktail selection and a menu curated by Kyle Henderson (previously from Lolla and Summerlong). The bar is helmed by Cedric Seth, who was previously a cocktail mixologist at the Horse's Mouth. His experience with cocktails and alcohol started from his early days in the Navy, where he learned and made drinks at various ports of call all over the world, from Thailand and the Philippines to the United States.
Cocktails are all $22, with names such as Bad Moon Rising (Monkey Shoulder, cinnamon maple and bitters) and A View To Kill (Reyka vodka, melon, cranberries, grapefruit, soda). A beer drinker? There are craft beers on tap starting from $17. For a little snack, order up the Bar Bites Platter featuring Kombu cucumber, spiced mixed nuts, marinated olives, tamarind popcorn chicken, nori fries, crisps and salmon dip.
