Bars Without Borders

Home to one of the most renowned gastronomic hubs, Southeast Asia has also refined the art of drinking with an impressive list of bars that guarantee a memorable pour.

- Swaroopini Udhaya Nair

MAD FOR MANHATTAN

The Manhattan Bar in Singapore has landed itself in Asia’s 50 Best Bars twice in a row as well as ranking third on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, validating what regulars are already experiencing. Decked out in decadent 1920’s splendour, Manhattan Bar is shuttles you back to New York’s Roaring 20s through their food, drinks and ambience with jazz, backlit shelves of alcohol and modern furnishings merging the best of the past and present. The vast array of cocktail choices is also part History lesson. Try the First Voyage cocktail featuring an earthenware aged Vermouth, Mancino Vecchio, Rutte Old Simon Genever Tawny port, Luxardo maraschino and orange bitters. Or the 12 Mile Out harking to the Prohibition when wealthy Americans would sail out to international waters for a day of jovial drinking and featuring Plantation Pineapple rum, Michter’s US1 Straight Rye Ferrand Dry Curaçao, lemon and grenadine. Other creations include 1940s-inspired Noir cocktail with a dash of squid ink for a total blacked-out libation to Mad Men, a nod to the hard-drinking Kings of Madison Avenue in the 60s. History has never been as fun or intoxicating!

TEP’S TRADITION