In a neighbourhood like Duxton Hill which is jam-packed with award-winning cocktail bars and packed-out venues, Goodbye, Alibi manages to hold its own. The main draw? An unapologetically savoury-forward cocktail menu, and jars and jars of the craziest confession notes, penned by guests who've probably had one too many to drink. Quills and paper slips line the counter, for you to contribute to the pool as you scribble down your deepest, darkest secrets.
Opened in March this year, Goodbye, Alibi is the passion project of entrepreneur Kimberley Yeo, who runs the Japanese catering brand Don Play Play. The bar invites guests to leave behind their need for an "alibi" and embrace their true, authentic selves, as unruly and chaotic as it might be. And bringing this vision to life is head bartender Han. Much of his knack for crafting bold, well-balanced pours is owed to his recent stint at The Elephant Room and long career in the hospitality scene.
Our first sip doesn't disappoint. Summer Fling in Bangkok ($25), Han's favourite – and also ours – is a savoury, sour and slightly fizzy tipple that's halfway between a clear seafood tom yum goong and a paloma. The smoky aroma of the prawn garnish weaves through hints of galangal, ginger, lemongrass and other herbs, while grapefruit gives the tequila-based cocktail a fruity lift. For such a wild description, it's a surprisingly approachable first drink – punchy, flavour-packed and refreshing without being too heavy. It's also one of the five savoury cocktails on the bar's 14-drink menu, which officially launched a month ago.
Other savoury creations include Hang Flower, Hang-Over ($25) which has a dash of fish sauce; My Crazy Ex ($25), a punchy mala-inspired cocktail with whisky; Miso Broken ($25), a Tito's-spiked concoction with wasabi and miso; and Kill Me Softly ($27), a daring gin-vermouth blend with bonito, garlic brine a quail egg garnish. Savoury-averse folks can turn to sweeter options like Last Dance ($24), featuring sake, peach and Prosecco; or Sweet Nothings ($24), a gin-based number laced with melon, yuzu and honey.
Han and the team serve up some pretty unconventional garnishes. Apart from the skewered quail egg in Kill Me Softly – Tori Q, anybody? – guests are encouraged to pair their drinks with anything from sour gummy bears to cheddar cheese crisps. Drunk Text ($27), a heady, whisky-forward cocktail, comes with a strip of candied bacon sprinkled with gold leaf dusting, while the creamy, foam-topped Miso Broken is accompanied by a sheet of seasoned laver.
Another bestseller at Goodbye, Alibi is In A Situationship ($25). Whether ordered ironically or not, the gin-vermouth tipple is an interesting pick, with notes of raspberry, a kick of spice from Tobasco and a dark chocolate shard for the garnish. And if nothing quite piques your interest, classic cocktails go for $22 each, while bespoke orders are priced between $25 and $28. Look out for the red jars lining the shelves – these house batches of negroni, pre-made in-house and stored away to allow the terracotta to draw out the sweet notes from the cocktail.
To line the stomach, the bar offers a straightforward menu of bites, ranging from addictive snacks like crispy garlic pork ($16) and spring rolls ($17), to Asian-inspired tacos (from $14) and pasta (from $21). But what's more tempting perhaps is the happy hour deal, which run from 4pm to 7pm daily. During this golden window, cocktails go for $12 a glass and fresh oysters at $2.50 a pop.
Find out more about Goodbye, Alibi here.
Goodbye, Alibi opens from 4pm to 11pm from Tuesdays to Thursdays, and 4pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, at 53A Duxton Rd, Singapore 089517.
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