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This July, new bars are popping up in some of the city's most unexpected locations, from a century-old Teochew mansion to a cinema in the heart of Orchard Road. Of course, some of the familiar neighbourhoods are also seeing a mini revival – Neil Road welcomes Hi Stranger, Hongkong Street gains a new addition with Bar Middle, and White Shades makes a comeback on Boon Tat Street with Shards. Some of these spots are also offering wallet-friendly options for discerning drinkers, with cocktail prices as low as $10 during happy hours, or complimentary bar snacks that come along with your drink. If your regular drinking holes are starting to feel a little predictable, these are the five new bars worth checking out this month.
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1. Bar Kap
It's not everyday a new cocktail bar pops up in a historic building, let alone a century-old Teochew mansion – the last of its kind in Singapore. Inside Bar Kap, the original timber beams and intricate carvings of the building have been kept intact. The main hall, with its soaring ceilings, is anchored by a striking Y-shaped counter, complete with a central frost rail that keeps your drinks chilly all evening. And the menu, neatly divided into four chapters marking a different era of the building, spans 16 drinks, including four non-alcoholic options. Pepper Peddler ($28) from the 'Kapitan' chapter has a unique profile thanks to a peculiar blend of makgeolli, baijiu, firewater and peppercorn. Savoury cocktail fans can go for Manifest ($25), which features toasted purple rice and sesame oil, while those who enjoy boozier drinks should try Lights Out, which sits between a gimlet and a martini. As for food, the Mee Kapitan ($20) is a must-order, with thick, springy house-made noodles tossed in minced pork, pork lard, sakura ebi and shrimp paste.
Address: 101 Penang Road, House of Tan Yeok Nee, Singapore 238466
Opening hours: Daily 5pm-midnight
Website
2. Shards by White Shades
Hearts broke when White Shades downsized its four-storey cocktail playground in Telok Ayer last year. Now, it occupies just two floors of the building – Lumina, a breezy alfresco hideout on the rooftop, and the newly opened Shards, which takes over the third floor. Stepping into Shards feels very much like walking into a friend's home. The space is stripped back, with living room-esque decor, a colour-changing skylight to set the mood and a simple white bar counter where conversations flow all evening. The 10 signature cocktails, priced at $23 each, are a pleasant surprise by CBD standards, where a drink usually averages at $26 to $28. There's even an option to have a cocktail customised for you based on your preferences for $25. Bright Rupture is our clear winner. This cherry wood-smoked, tequila-based cocktail balances smoky and savoury profiles with the light, refreshing flavours of tomato water, hibiscus, lime and rhubarb for a hint of sweetness. Tip: pop by even earlier at 5pm, and you'll also get to enjoy $10 happy-hour pours.
Address: 25 Boon Tat Street, Level 3, Singapore 069622
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 3pm-midnight, Sat 6pm-midnight
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3. Hi Stranger
Hi Stranger is one of the most design-forward bar openings of the year, located along the bustling Neil Road. The 26-seater positions itself as an immersive 'cocktail playground', where every detail – from the molten, lava-inspired interiors down to the menu – encourages exploration and goes beyond a typical cocktail bar experience. Instead of simply ordering a drink, guests can discover spirits at the scent wall and try 10ml taster portions ($5) before committing to a pour. Behind the bar is head bartender Khalya Khali (formerly of QT Hotel), whose signature cocktails include the Funky Daiquiri ($26), where Jamaican rum, lime and chilli come together in a bright, punchy serve, and the Smoky Sour ($24), which features Scotch and Islay whiskies. And if you stay late enough, you might even catch the bar's off-menu Ramos Gin Fizz, served only when the mood feels just right. The food is as compelling, whipped up by former Nouri and Rhubarb chef Edwin Tay. Tip: Order a drink between 6pm and 8pm to receive a complimentary slice of prawn toast.
Address: 27 Neil Road, Singapore 088817
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 6pm-midnight
Website
4. Centro Cocktail Bar
Who said the cinema experience only begins at the popcorn queue? At Centro Cocktail Bar, tucked inside Shaw Theatres Lido, pre- and post-movie drinks become part of the main event. Helmed by head bartender Virat Jha, previously from St. Regis and Ida's Bar, the elegant space serves cinema-themed cocktails that are equal parts classy and fun – think names like Director's Cut, Dream Sequence and so on. Opening Scene is one of the seven signatures on the menu. Imagine a vodka martini, except with a bright ruby hue and layers of depth achieved with vermouth and sherry. Meanwhile, Velvet Rope is a rich, luxurious combination of coconut fat-washed bourbon with coffee liqueur and salted maple. Afterglow Punch is fruity and vibrant, with mezcal, coconut-infused Ancho Reyes, pineapple juice, lime and blue pea syrup for a pop of colour. There are also 10 classic cocktails on the menu which go at just $12 all day, everyday. Peckish? Munch on bar bites like spice-dusted popcorn, calamari, or graze on cheese boards as you sip the evening away.
Address: 350 Orchard Road, Shaw House, Level 5 and 6, Singapore 238868
Opening hours: Daily 9.30am-11.30pm
Website
5. Bar Middle
Almost a decade after Gavin Teverasan's stint at the award-winning 28 HongKong Street, the 36-year-old bartender returns just a few doors down with a bar of his own. Bar Middle, an intimate 20-seater space, is where the formality and precision of Japanese bartending and the warmth and easy-going hospitality of American bars meet, well, in the middle. Each visit begins with a warm towel and an appetiser or welcome drink before you settle in for a tightly edited cocktail menu, where each drink is built with a minimal list of ingredients. Mango & Hojicha pairs bright, tropical flavours with the roasted depth of Japanese tea and a gentle kick of ginger, while It's Just Negi transforms the humble Japanese leek into a surprisingly complex cocktail with gin, a sake-vermouth blend and pickled negi brine. Those after something brighter should order the Gimlet Fizz, a refreshing number with calamansi and sudaichi-infused champagne cordial. You can also swing by during happy hours from 5pm to 7pm on Mondays to Thursdays and 4pm to 7pm from Fridays to Saturdays, where drinks go at $18 each.
Address: 31 Hongkong Street, Singapore 059670
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 4pm-midnight
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