OverTime

Lowdown Euro-kitschy, Bräuhaus decor, flatscreens and a healthy lick of Bangkok-neon lighting at this fast-risen Malaysian chain of white collar-baiting brewpubs hint at its archly blokeish playbook. Two new outposts in Dempsey and Holland prove a big draw for groups of slack-tied after-workers who give the place a boisterous but pleasingly laidback, everyman vibe midweek. Live music from house band The Retreats adds to the allure at weekends.

What we drank Given, it’s a chain, but it’s not your usual dross at the bar (usual suspects come bottled: Tiger, Heineken $12++). Adding to Singapore’s growing roster of craft-beer options, Stärker, a cloudy, medium-bitter lager brewed in Malaysia with German knowhow, is served straight from the barrel and made by far one of the coldest drops we’ve had in a long time. Equally impressive, the Aromatic has sweeter, citrus-y notes and both come in at a fairly hefty $22++ per pint – which, outside of happy hour, is quite steep. (Before 7pm, it’s buy one, get one free; from 7-9pm, buy one, get a free half). Food is serviceable enough: a mix of Asian staples and Western comfort favourites and generously sized sharing platters. As another come-on to the band of male nine-to-fivers, waitresses wear racy Bavarian dirndls, all tits and teeth but still switched on: service was far better than average.

Verdict For a buzzy, no-fuss bolthole for mixed crowds of office escapees looking for straightforward adult fun, OverTime shines, but lofty beer costs may prevent this from becoming your default boozer.