These newcomers are shaking up the local cocktail culture.
Head bartender Roman Foltán has landed at this swanky Art Deco gem by way of Artesian, the legendary London cocktail club that once earned “Best Bar in the World” honors for four straight years. Located in the sweeping lobby of Parkview Square, Atlas pairs Foltán’s 1920s-inspired tipples with an impressive collection of 1,000 or so gins.
Backed by the folks behind Singapore’s renowned 28 HongKong Street, Crackerjack is a marked departure from its moodier sister establishment. Here, a bright space with communal tables encourages lazy lingering over an all-day menu that includes artisanal coffees, hearty eats, and cocktails from award-winning mixologists; try the Water Malone, made from pisco, watermelon, lemon, and sea salt.
Bright neon street art splashes across brick walls at cozy Lulu’s Lounge, which is modeled after a plush mid-20th-century New York drinking den. Open until 6 a.m. daily and hosting periodic jazz and burlesque nights, Lulu’s pours 14 signature cocktails, including a standout Cappuccino Martini.
At long last, a cocktail mixed with Thai weaver ants. That’s the headline ingredient in Antz, one of barman Vijay Mudaliar’s imaginative creations at this Amoy Street speakeasy. Mudalier also works wonders with Sri Lankan spices, Indian whiskies, and foraged fruits and plants.
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2017 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Mix Masters”).