New bars to check out

The Backdrop

The Backdrop invites guests to immerse themselves in a blend of history, artistry, and mixology. Tucked away on the ground floor of voco Singapore Hotel, behind a wooden door, is this whimsical and theatrical bar. There’s no signage but when you book a table, you’ll be sent a digital key/QR code to enter. 

The unique bar is master-bartender Dario Knox’s labour of love. He pays tribute to the art of making liqueurs or alcoholic products that have been crafted since the 1800s. Knox, who hails from Tuscany but has lived in Singapore for more than a decade, returns to Italy on holiday breaks to learn more about liquoristica, or the traditional Italian art of making liqueurs such as campari, vermouth, amaro and fernet. 

“About 4.5 years ago, I started studying botanical extractions, percolation, and infusion (techniques). I also collected manuals and manuscripts from the 1800s,” says Knox. He believes in learning about history first and how to treat the botanicals in order to evolve. After learning the basics, he added his own innovative touch to create his own concoctions at The Backdrop. 

“We identified various cocktail-making techniques from the beginning of cocktail making history until now. We divided them into six acts, each section is a compilation of three cocktails using the same techniques such as ‘fat coating’, ‘milk punching’ and ‘smoking’,” shares Knox. The small food menu includes bites such as jamon iberico, caviar, prosciutto with melon, and tiramisu.

The Backdrop also plans to offer masterclasses, workshops, and tasting events, providing enthusiasts and aspiring mixologists the chance to explore the world of cocktail craftsmanship.  

 East47 

Conrad Singapore Orchard’s East47 is a new addition to the Manhattan family, but with a distinct and separate identity. “While Manhattan pays homage to the Golden Age of cocktails, East47 is an experimental, avant-garde bar that constantly evolves to reflect the current world, art, and lifestyle trends,” says Rusty Cerven, beverage director.

Nestled within Manhattan, the concept of East47 pays tribute to Andy Warhol’s studio called “The Factory”, which was located at 231 East 47th Street in Midtown Manhattan. This was his artist studio and a cultural hub which became known as the hip hangout for artists, musicians and celebrities. In the same vein, East47 is an exclusive 12-seater concept dedicated to cocktail innovation. 

“The cocktails and experiences we create are our own interpretation of trends, ideas, and moments in time, pushing the boundaries. We have a talented team of bartenders, including our newly appointed head bartender Zana Mohlmann working with me on the research and development of the cocktail programme,” says Cerven. 

Punch Room

Slated to open in November, Punch Room at The Singapore Edition is its seventh location in the world. Dario Schiavoni, director of food and beverage, and Giovanni Graziadei, director of beverage, are both leading the bar programme here.   

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The bar focuses on punches that are served individually or in bowls that are ideal for sharing. It’s a convivial space for people to gather over communal punch bowls. In The London Edition, the punch is dished up in large silver tureens with a ladle – so customers can help themselves. Punch Room London is the blueprint for the brand, but each venue has its own identity influenced by local culture.

“Punch is the ancestor of cocktails, with five pillars of flavour forming its core structure which is also the foundation of many of today’s most popular cocktails. The global popularity of punch faded over the years, but its recent revival has given rise to an elevated lifestyle experience that extends far beyond just a beverage,” says Gates Otsuji, global director of bars for Edition.

Draft Land

Singapore is the fifth Draft Land outpost after Zhongxiao, Xinyi and Taichung in Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The brand is known for exclusively offering cocktails on tap. A collaboration with Nutmeg and Clove, this new bar at Purvis Street offers over 20 cocktails on tap.

Among them are six exclusive specials crafted by renowned mixologists around the world. These Singapore-exclusive concoctions are designed to commemorate the World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony in Singapore. “We’re honoured to invite several renowned bartenders from the World’s 50 Best Bars to craft special draft cocktails for us,” says founder Angus Zou. 

He adds: “In order to present Draft Land’s ‘outdoor drinking experience’, we’ve divided the space into two sections. The front is a relaxed semi-outdoor area, allowing everyone to move around and socialise freely. It also accommodates large groups of guests. For the indoor section, we provide standing tables and bar stools, with an overall design that’s more refined.”

Aside from drinks, guests can savour a variety of modern Taiwanese dishes, including braised pork rice, wagyu cold noodles, fried oysters, and more.