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Hyperlocal cocktails against the backdrop of city lights – that's the brief at MO Bar. The swanky destination bar in Mandarin Oriental Singapore is stylish and polished at first glance, with charming views of the city skyline. But its cocktail programme is much more approachable. Now in Volume Seven, the new menu Modern Localism showcases 11 creative tipples, each inspired by a local brand partner.
This mammoth of a project is spearheaded by Bar Manager Charlie Kim, who took over the reins in 2023. Over the course of last year, he approached over 40 local brands across Singapore's F&B and art and culture scene, landing on a chosen 11 who eventually helped shape the new menu. These collaborators span the range from perfumery to design, music and more, each suggesting a choice ingredient for Kim to weave into his cocktails. At a glance, Modern Localism reads somewhat like a traveller's journal, inviting guests to discover lesser-known brands and initiatives that contribute to the city's vibrant culture, as they flip through the pages.
Start light and easy with the elegant Velour Kiss ($26), a gin and tonic-esque creation based on the skincare range at La Dermalogique. The ingredients are Hendrick's gin, bee pollen, chamomile, extra virgin olive oil and lemon. And while the concoction leans floral and sweet, it is pleasantly balanced, with a detectable fragrance of chamomile peeking through ever so often, and the lemon and olive oil providing structure. Definitely a drink that grows on you over time.
Elsewhere, there is the Kopi Pumptini ($26), which is a spin on the cult-favourite espresso martini with a hint of pumpkin. Bettr Barista, the academy wing of homegrown coffee specialist Bettr Coffee, is what the drink takes its reference from, with the sugary pumpkin shortbread garnish harking back to the brand's mustard-toned logo. Our only gripe? The cocktail, while boozy and coffee-forward, has only the faintest trace of pumpkin, which comes through more in the shortbread than the tipple itself.
We prefer the Pine-dustry ($26), Kim's favourite drink and an ode to Singapore's bar industry. Despite its seeming simplicity, the cocktail is a labour of love, with the clarified base featuring three main ingredients – tequila, cold distilled pineapple juice and a white wine reduction. Notes of coconut come through in every alternate sip, adding a gentle layer of fattiness, while the pineapple ball garnish clearly isn't an afterthought, with hints of yuzu peel providing a refreshing citrus lift. Another sweet cocktail done right.
Those who take to stronger, headier pours should definitely zoom in on Jo-Hwa ($27), crafted in collaboration with Korean restaurant Anju. The star here is matsutake mushroom, which features prominently in an accompanying snack – extremely fitting, since 'anju', in Korean, refers to food that is served alongside alcohol. The cocktail itself is a spin on the Bamboo, with Fino sherry and verjuice as the key components, alongside Roku gin and pear. On its own, it's fine, if a little stiff, but when enjoyed with the snack, the savoury notes of matsutake really sing.
And there's still more to explore. Take your pick between Forest Fire ($27), inspired by Raden Saleh's grand Boschbrand painting in the National Gallery Singapore, or the Dopa? Dopa! ($26) which is developed in collaboration with the beloved Dopa Dopa Creamery along South Bridge Road. The dessert-like cocktail weaves together popular flavours like pistachio kunafa alongside salted butter Hennessy VSOP and Darjeeling black tea.
Hungry? Line your tummy with MO Bar's local and Asian-inspired snacks. The signature MO laksa might no longer be on the menu, but you can still eat your fill of the laksa fries ($18), which are extremely addictive, with a strong taste of hae bee hiam. Else, the aloo matar samosas ($22) and deep-fried kurobuta pork neck ($28) are equally satisfying, brightened with dips like a mint and tamarind chutney or green chilli mint sauce.
MO Bar is open from Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to midnight and Friday to Saturday from 5pm to 1am, at 5 Raffles Avenue, Mandarin Oriental Level 3, Singapore 039797. Find out more here.
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