Menaka Atmosphere

First thing first, the painting on the entry doors is amazing. It isn’t just a pretty sight, but it also could be a hint of creativity. Once inside, you’ll be greeted by the kind staff, flooded bar, and dimmed lights. In fact, the lighting brings additional privacy to a somewhat small space. Low light is also perfect for the interior in tones of the dark flame. When looking on the walls, we noticed carved stones, paintings of Khmer music stars, books… Wherever we looked it was obvious that this speakeasy bar in Siem Reap is run with respect to Cambodian history. Despite that, there is a noticeable parallel with the American Prohibition Era.

Menaka Menu

Could it be that papyrus scroll or old royal writs inspired Menaka menu? Either way, it feels special to read about craft cocktails from the cloth roll. Some of the best artisanal drinks in Siem Reap are inspired by the Angkor, Sangkum, and the Great Era. The Angkor era celebrates the wisdom and flavors of the ancient Khmer Empire with classic Cambodian ingredients. Cocktails in the Sangkum era are named by the songs, which capture the era of joy and love. The Great Era celebrates the quick growth and globalization that modernized Cambodia.

Besides the mixed drinks you can have a serving of Japanese or Scottish whiskeys. In case you want a bite or two you can also order some food from Menaka Café.

Our Cocktials

Love Like Honey

The praise of sweet honey is clearly understood through the seductive sweetness. We could clearly taste the honey backed up with mango nectar refreshed with lime. Taste profile made a complete circle with Vermont bringing the toasted wood and grain notes to the close. Since this is no joke drink but a vodka-based cocktail, we can say it is surely one that will make your evening a pure joy.

Monsoon Perfume 

A flavorful rollercoaster keeps the mind occupied even after a sip is long gone. Once a refreshing mixture of lime, mint, tonic, and gin comes to a close Kampot pepper takes over. Our tastebuds found it addictive! It is incredible how smoothly the tranquilizing greeting ended with a pleasing tingle. Although we advise caution when drinking because Ian got a splinter of mature lemongrass in his drink. No bottoms up, but mindful sipping is the way to enjoy this delectable mixed drink. 

Peerless Shape

Ahead of tasting the Peerless Shape, we were expecting the sweet tutti-fruity bubble gum notes we discovered in jackfruit a while ago. Instead, we were amazed by the savory flavor profile that jackfruit is also famous for. In this case, it didn’t taste like pork, but more like raw bread dough, cheese, and fresh walnuts. Yes, interesting but not something we would want to hold on to. Still, we were blown away with the possibilities entrusted upon creative mixologists and couldn’t resist but compare it to the Out of Nowhere cocktail.

Menaka Lounge Review Card

• 9/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9/10
• 9.0/10
  SERVICE – 9.0/10
• 8.9/10
  DRINK SELECTION – 8.9/10
• 8.4/10
  PRESENTATION – 8.4/10
• 9.5/10
  OUR DRINKS – 9.5/10
• 9.2/10
  VALUE – 9.2/10

Final Thought

Menaka Lounge speakeasy is a nice surprise here in Siem Reap. Warm ambiance, nice service and interesting cocktails are a winning combination for every bar seeker. Well at least a cultured one, for the animalistic party you will need to take a few hundred meters further. But hey, we all have our needs and preferences. This speakeasy is great to chill zone after your temple run. We recommend you pay them a visit and enjoy Siem Reap in full capacity. Any downside? Sadly yes, plastic straws! They should check their competition Sokkhak River Lounge, and see how they tackle this

Price & Location

Cocktails at Menaka Lounge are set to 6 USD which is a true bargain. Here is a link to the location for easier navigation. Enjoy!

The post Menaka Lounge Siem Reap Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

About Liberation Bar

The award-winning team at the Liberation cocktail bar has been reaping success after success. Their latest triumph is sowing joy with new flavors that come from modern techniques. That state-of-the-art equipment is just a tool to achieve the wildest mixology dreams. To make everything more excited, Liberation Bar is hidden and has a speakeasy character.

The Machine: Rotary Evaporator

Rotary evaporator, or rotovap, looks complicated, but the procedure is simple. In a nutshell, the process could be called a reduced pressure distillation. The rotovap is used for removing solvents from the mixture at low temperature while under pressure or vacuum. That can be done once the mixture is heated in the rotary bulb. When the solvent evaporates from the mixture through the cold finger, it gets trapped in a separate flask. That flask catches the concentrated clear liquid packed with flavor. 

Mixologists at the Liberation bar Bangkok are pushing the limits of the contemporary mixed drinks. They extract flavor from edible plants, liquids, and even one special waterbug. In the end, the crystal-clear extractions form a delicious “library” that pushes modern mixology to the limits.

Ambiance 

The gloomy minimalist interior design puts the heart of the Liberation bar into focus. Nevertheless, a stylish black interior with a few shiny elements sets the mysterious atmosphere in place. Things get even more exciting once you see the high-tech gear on your way to the bathroom. Chances are you’ll also get distracted by the large display of spirits at the end of the bar. Let’s not leave out the upbeat DJ performance. Can you ask for more?

Liberation Drinks Menu

The liberation drinks menu is divided into four parts. The first half covers innovative cocktails, inspired by the Propaganda-era posters. While the second half of the menu is offering a bounty of Gin, Vodka, Rum, Mezcal, Tequila, Whiskey (Single Malt, Blended and Asian Whiskey), and Borbon.

If you have trouble deciding, then check the menu ahead of your visit to the Liberation bar. Their cocktail selection is plentiful, and many include unexpected ingredients. Once you take that into a count, you know you’ll be amazed. If you still aren’t prepared for the wild adventure ask kind staff for friendly advice.

Our Drinks

Vegan War

Girls might be attracted to the color of a pink gem, but this drink isn’t just for them. Nevertheless, it is a must for all lovers of holy basil (Tulsi or Thai basil). Its sweet aroma goes well with carrot cordial and tomato’s sourness. On the other hand, the red cabbage supplies the depth. Our first thought was about a refreshing healthy drink, with a strong scent of holy basil.

Inspiration: Dig on for victory 1939

Britain’s hugely successful propaganda campaign persuaded people to grow their food in the time of WWII. Growing your own food reduces the imports and as we know, it is also more sustainable. Maybe after growing some vegetables people could start respecting food, instead of throwing it into the garbage without a second thought. In addition to that, we all know that fresh is the best, and farm to table is the only right way to go.

Yellow Union Flag

Strength and unity in a single glass deliver mouth-watering pleasure. At first, it is about a fruity combination of re-distilled green apple peel, apple juice, and coffee cherry kombucha. Yet, the presence of Monkey Shoulder whiskey and oolong tea provides the welcoming depth. Both sides come together with the addition of the Osmanthus honey and soda. We especially liked the fizz and caramel sweetness in the aftertaste.

Inspiration; Chinese 1947

During the Second World War, the governments used propaganda posters to influence mass opinion in their favor. 

Waterbug

Infused and distilled male water-bug is very fragrant and sweet. To support its characteristics, the mixologist added gin and re-distilled vodka as a base. Bedsharp bitters and lemon took care of the gentle counterbalance at every sip. The addition of egg white smoothens the drink and also bonds very well with honey almond syrup.

Inspiration: Nature is the Real Treasure

Half of the world is still grossed out when insects are put on the table. The other half is enjoying its peculiar delights. Hopefully, a negative mindset is soon going to change with sustainable solutions and processing. If you don’t see what you are eating, it is easier to swallow it, if you like the taste then the prejudice is long gone. Propaganda posters changed people’s minds many times, so accept some changes in the near future. We really loved the somewhat dried mouthfeel of the Liberation waterbug cocktail.

Cacao

Cacao and chocolate are trendy in Bangkok and we checked some chocolate bars before. Afterall, cacao is growing successfully in Thailand, so why not highlight these delights! Here at Liberation bar, we have tried their cacao inspired cocktail and it was outstandingly delicious. All that chocolate flavors combined with Thai Issan rum are on point. The only trouble is putting the drink down! Not only is delectable but holding the cocoa husk feels pretty good as well. Maybe it was even more special due to the resemblance of our dessert at Le Normandie. Yummy.

Inspiration: Thailand

Thailand is rich when it comes to ingredients, and cacao is one of the tasty treasures. When we were at Kad Kokoa we tried a bunch of Thai chocolate samples, and it’s hard to tell the winner.

Final Thought

It feels lightyears away when the invention of fire changed food and drink forever. Scientists say it was about 400,000 years ago, but agree it might be much earlier than that. Less than two hundred years ago, modern science started supplying kitchen appliances that revolutionized modern cuisine. Now we are a step closer to the alchemy and can see what mother nature is offering us in the detail. At the Liberation bar Bangkok they celebrate the modern science and natural treasures hand in hand. That policy and creative team list the Liberation bar on the list of the best bars in Bangkok.

Liberation Bar Review Card

• 9.4/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.4/10
• 9.8/10
  SERVICE – 9.8/10
• 9.6/10
  DRINK SELECTION – 9.6/10
• 9.4/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.4/10
• 9.7/10
  OUR DRINKS – 9.7/10
• 9.4/10
  VALUE – 9.4/10

Price and Location

Liberation bar Bangkok is not in plain sight, but it is easy to find. Once you reach the Piman 49 complex, on Soi Sukhumvit 49 enter the building and walk to the fourth floor. There you can taste the Liberation signature drinks for a little under the 13 USD daily from 7 pm to 1:30 am.

The post Liberation Bar Bangkok: Hidden Bar With Science appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Ambiance

Every hidden bar has its unique entrance and this one ticks all the boxes. Outside we found a “normal” phone booth where we dialed Havana Social secret code. Hint: for a code, ask a guy who is selling Cubano Sandwiches in front of this phone booth. With the right code, the secret doors open and you step into a totally different world. It’s an artistic place, half a world away from its actual location. Whoever designed it has a true talent and entering this bar sent us right to Havana.

Welcome to Havana Social

Dimmed lighting with old antique furniture and shabby walls conjure the warm rustic ambiance. The music is just right for this place and on weekends, there’s a live performance by a Cubano band with salsa rhythms. If you are a passionate salsa dancer, you’ll definitely want to return back for another dance night. The right address for all the event details is the bar and the staff will be happy to fill you in.

As an illustration, The timber bar is respectively long with vintage wooden bar stools. Here, behind the bar, the barmen worked their magic, while we sat on the velvet sofa waiting for our drinks. Anyway, Habana Social stretches for one more story. On the second floor, there’s a lounge with the same theme and a huge cigar collection. What could be more Cuban than drinking some good rum and enjoying a Cuban cigar?

Perfect Design

Havana Social is full of details, even when it comes to the restrooms, where you can listen to revolutionary speeches of Fidel Castro while looking at old posters. When we were sitting there and enjoying our cocktails our desire to see Cuba became more intense. The owners of this bar really know how to bring Havana to the Orient!

Drinks Selection

Looks like bars here in Bangkok are taking stock serious. First, there was The WoodShed Bar and then The Bamboo Bar with a crazy offer. In the same fashion, the Havana Social is one seriously stocked bar, and their menu is nothing short of extensive. We knew that it was a rum oriented bar, but there is also so much more. There’s a short list of vodkas, gins, tequilas and quite a long list of single malts. Even Hibiki can be an option if you are for Japanese whiskey.

When it comes to rums, they are listed by a country of origin. They hold rums from Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil, Virgin Island, Indonesia, Philippines, Panama, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and much more – an outstanding collection if you ask me. Additionally, at Havana Social serve also the wine, beer, and of course soft drinks.

Cocktails are sorted as Pre-revolution, Post-revolution, special shoots, and mocktails. The recipes are interesting and it is quite hard to choose the right one for your night. By the way, even the drink menu is thoughtfully designed in a 1940’s Havana style. Like I said: details!

Our Cocktails

Yes, I agree here at Havana Social hidden bar, you will have a hard time to choose your drink. Everything sounds so amazingly good! After ten minutes of holding this drinking card, we opted for the spicy “Capitol Couture” for myself and the sweet “Ricardo Robson” for my lady. After finding out how great the cocktails were, I ordered one real Cuban-style “Old Fashioned”

Capitol Couture

This Thai inspired cocktail is made of vanilla & turmeric Infused 42 Below Vodka, house salted caramel syrup, fresh lime, pimento ginger soda, Thai chili, and it’s topped with a pinch of rock salt. The slightly spicy taste goes pretty well with the vanilla and caramel. The tropical taste of ginger and turmeric come second on the palate when the alcohol is well hidden. You get a nice spicy kick in your throat and the salt ensures a pleasant aftertaste of lime and ginger. This cocktail is perfect for a hot tropical night or as a warming up drink before your salsa steps.

Ricardo Robson

Even after research, I have no idea who this Ricardo Robson is. Well, I find a folk singer, but doubt it’s the one they were referring to. Anyway, the name doesn’t matter here, and Vivi was instantly impressed with this cocktail. How could she not be when there was a huge piece of a real honeycomb full of honey for garnish!

The Ricardo Robson is made of Diplomatico Anejo Rum, house hibiscus grenadine, fresh orange and lime, blood orange liqueur and a touch of honey. The citrus taste infused with hibiscus is the first thing you will notice. After that, the honey aroma lifts up the citruses and rounds out the rum, which is actually pretty strong. This cocktail is no virgin, that’s for sure.

Nibbling the honeycomb is not just tasty but it complements the drink very well. The aftertaste is completely citrusy with pomegranate in front. A top-notch cocktail!

Old-Fashioned

Obviously, this cocktail is a bit manlier. It is made of Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Bourbon, Angostura bitters, lemon zest oil and a sugar cube. In the foreground, you will taste Evan Williams Bourbon. The Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Bourbon from Kentucky is actually a great entry-level bourbon with classic sweet vanilla taste and a rich oak finish. However, this mixture goes well with the citrusy flavors and sweet sugar kick. The zesty aroma follows at all times, even when the alcohol shows up. This cocktail is pretty strong and can be classified as a man’s drink.

Our Review of Havana Social Secret Bar

Havana Social is one of the best hidden bars we have ever been to. We are glad we found it and we warmly recommend to all our readers. They have great drink selection, and hungry belly can be filled here as well:  a good Cubano sandwich is a nice base for cocktails later. The first thing to remember, the ambiance at Havana Social is breathtaking and all the details will get you in the right mood. With this in mind, we won’t be surprised if this will become the most instagramable bar in Bangkok.

Havana lovers, good artisan drinks lovers or simply salsa lovers will find their place here. Don’t forget to put on one of their hats for a selfie session with your rum and cigar! Ouu, I almost forget. Havana Social is only a few steps away from this great wine bar – The Bar Upstairs. Maybe you should check it out as well if you are here in the neighborhood.

Havana Social Review Card

• 9.7/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.7/10
• 9.2/10
  SERVICE – 9.2/10
• 9.2/10
  DRINK SELECTION – 9.2/10
• 9.1/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.1/10
• 9.4/10
  OUR DRINKS – 9.4/10
• 8.9/10
  VALUE – 8.9/10

Price and Location

Cocktails at Havana Social will cost you anywhere from 10 USD to 13 USD. However, our visit costed about 30 USD, which is a bargain for a place like this. If you would like to give it a try and enjoy this Havana Social spirit, here is the link to a location.

Dress Code at Havana Social

Just don’t forget your decent attire: the dress code here prohibits open shoes like sandals, flip-flops etc for men. Yes, my dears, Birkenstocks are also open shoes and ugly as well, so leave them at home or in the garbage!

The post Havana Social Bangkok – Secret Bar Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Secret Door

At night, the café is closed, but there is a huge orange fridge in the center of the room. However, if you are brave enough, open this fridge and go into the unknown. In the first place, Out of Nowhere is a nicely decorated hidden bar with a great atmosphere and an outstanding drink list. This place is chill with dim lighting and an industrial feel. We sat behind the bar so we could be in the center of the mixology that was happening.

The bar was pretty much full so we didn’t even think we could have sat somewhere else… The barmen were all nice and ready to communicate with us at any time. With this in mind, it’s always easier to choose your drink, when barmen help you.

On the bar were displayed some dark bottles with their own infused liqueurs and we were instantly interested in trying these. The cocktail list is tempting and almost every drink sounded perfect for us. Vivi ordered the Roti Satu Cocktail with smoked woodchip rum, coconut Espresso, toasted bread infusion and jackfruit foam.

Vivi’s Drink

Apparently, she chose the strongest cocktail on their list. Not surprised, Vivi is always aiming high… Despite the alcohol content, the cocktail is nicely balanced and the alcohol is well hidden in it. However, it is strong, no argument there. At the same time with some creamy taste of jackfruit and fresh note. It has a toasty taste with a hint of wood in it, well mixed with the jackfruit cream. In other words, this cocktail is a true masterpiece. For decoration, they use pandan leaf and small roti biscuit on top, which is simple and nice looking at the same time.

Ian’s Drink

My choice was a bit more serious. I chose Nikka from the barrel. This whiskey winning the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards in 2007 and 2010 made my night much better than it was. As it is in common with Japanese whiskies, it has a nice balance between fruitiness and woody-spice taste, some sweet notes of citruses and cinnamon with the great oak finish. However, I will write an extended review and history of this amazing whisky. Keep it up with us!

Conclusion

If you are looking for a hidden bar in Penang, you are lucky. Why? Because there are many options. We checked one which is supposed to be the best hidden bar here in Penang. Well, we will leave that to you. If you ask us, Out of nowhere is an amazing hidden bar in Penang and you should check their artisan cocktail list.

Out of Nowhere Review Card

• 8.9/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 8.9/10
• 9.5/10
  SERVICE – 9.5/10
• 8.4/10
  DRINK SELECTION – 8.4/10
• 9/10
  PRESENTATION – 9/10
• 9.3/10
  OUR DRINKS – 9.3/10
• 8.5/10
  VALUE – 8.5/10

Price and Location

Cocktails here will cost you about 9 USD, which is the same price for a glass of Nikka Whisky. If you would like to see and try this speakeasy bar by yourself, here is a location link.

The post Hidden bar in Penang – Out of Nowhere appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

It’s no secret that we love hidden and speakeasy bars and we already wrote all about the reasons why we do. This time, in Penang, we got a few hints about some outstanding hidden bars. It was hard to choose which one to visit, due to our limited time in this town. In the end, we chose the Manchu hidden bar, where they are supposed to have live Chinese opera performances and great cocktails.

Manchurian Bar in Penang

This bar is on a busy street and if you aren’t careful enough, you can easily miss it. Actually, at first, it is just a small room with a red curtain and a statue, but when you move the curtain you see the secret doors, which will take you directly to this bar. Besides the address, which is at the end of this article, visitors get a small signal from the guy in the direction where the gem is hiding.

This bar is a Manchurian themed bar and they did a great job at that. You’ll be served by guys in Manchurian clothes and, you can find many props all over the place for you to play with and take some insta photos while sipping on your drink. The ambiance is amazing and their list of cocktails is extended, just maybe a little too dull for our personal taste.

Cocktails

We like more unique mixology drinks instead of old classics. Regardless, we ordered a Penang mule which is made of lime juice, sugar, vodka, ginger beer, calamansi and candied ginger. To point out, the cocktail was refreshing, with a hint of ginger and had a strong citrusy taste. The ginger wasn’t too strong and it went well with this drink. The sweet taste hides the liquor so you don’t feel the alcohol too much, which makes it a great cocktail for summer days!

We also had the Yuzu Whiskey sour cocktail, which was a little bit creamier but still refreshing. It was made with lemon, Yuzu, and whiskey. The cocktail was actually very good with some bitter Yuzu taste and a great whiskey finish. The lemon provided some sourness and refreshment to this drink with the help of the huge ice ball.

Conclusion

Sadly, on our visit, they didn’t have any live music performance going on. However, we can’t argue over the club music they had that night. The atmosphere was nice and it wasn’t a rare sight to see a table full of glasses and bottles of whiskey. Hint: bottles of booze are cheap here, so just grab some friends and go find this gem! The only downside here is they don’t have more artisan cocktails.

Manchu Bar Review Card

• 9.1/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.1/10
• 8.6/10
  SERVICE – 8.6/10
• 7.4/10
  DRINK SELECTION – 7.4/10
• 5.6/10
  PRESENTATION – 5.6/10
• 6.7/10
  OUR DRINKS – 6.7/10
• 6.6/10
  VALUE – 6.6/10

Price and Location

Prices for cocktails vary here from 7 USD to 15 USD. However, if you would like to see this Manchu hidden bar, here is a link to a location.

The post Manchu hidden bar Penang: secret doors to great cocktail appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

How hidden is Bar Stories – Secret Bar?

As I said, locals know their way around good food and drinks, and we did the right thing and checked out the recommended place. It turned out that we were walking along that street where the bar is located just a few days before. in short, it is Haji Lane Street near Arab Street, where the bohemian soul finds its own place. At that time, however, nothing special diverted our attention. Now that we knew what we were looking for, we spotted a small sign – Bar Stories Singapore. And it wasn’t coincident that that sign was small. After all, it is another hidden bar!

The Ambiance of Bar Stories

Ok, it is not like Atlas Bar, but a more laid back place, though. The ambient is simple in a somewhat hipster style and the music is awesome. Actually, we were the first guests for that day. Even though they were still in a process of preparing the fresh juices for the evening ahead they were happy to see us. A bartender welcomed us inside where we chose a place we were most comfortable at. We sat down at the closest place which was right next to the place where the magic happens – the bar.

At Bar Stories Singapore You Won’t Find the Drink Menu

And also the lady didn’t have to run back and forward as this is not an ordinary place where you get the menu and no further explanations. Here, we had a conversation about our favorite flavors, and which ones would we like to taste in our drink. She also asked how we felt in case that we would prefer a cocktail that would give us an energy boost. Both of us were in the mood for refreshing drinks that could relate to Singapore. Ian was more daring as he embraced the idea of some heat in his drink, while my frame of mind was oriented to an easy tropical style.

Our Cocktails

I like the fact that they use freshly squeezed fruit juices instead of essences and syrups. That way, you get to consume some vitamins and also the flavor is completely different. Once we got our drinks, we were eager to try them out. We were hit by the explosion of seriously intense flavors. And not just that. Our drinks were real eye candy, just like every cocktail should be!

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Mixologist At Its Best

The bartender kindly explained to us what components each drink had. The base of mine was a house blend of seven rums with passion fruit, fresh orange juice, lime juice for freshness, and egg white for a creamier texture. She rounded the flavors with Japanese fruit that had the flavor of sweet marzipan. Mine cocktail was like a beach summer day in my sweet tropical utopia with decoration on fire.

Ian’s base was Lorenz Gin with a juice of Japanese fruit yuzu, some lime, sugar syrup and a little chili for heat. However, in a contribution to developing more intense taste, she added a pinch of salt on a lime shell, which he had to submerge for the effect to take place. In fact, we both tried the cocktail before and after the salt was added, and we both felt the difference. The salt made a slight change and indeed brought out the floral notes and even some sweetness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the flavors of the cocktails were really intense and that allowed us to slowly sip the drink away. I could definitely imagine lying on the Sentosa beaches with that drink in my hand for hours. However, this place might not be one of the best bars here in Singapore, but cocktails are more than decent and the atmosphere is chilled out. So, after 28 Hong Kong Street Bar (28HK Bar), this is another speakeasy here in Singapore. Can’t wait next time we will visit this city for more!

Bar Stories Review Card

• 6.7/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 6.7/10
• 9.1/10
  SERVICE – 9.1/10
• 9/10
  DRINK SELECTION – 9/10
• 7.4/10
  PRESENTATION – 7.4/10
• 9.3/10
  OUR DRINKS – 9.3/10
• 8/10
  VALUE – 8/10

Location and Price

Here is a link to Bar Stories Singapore location, so you can easily find a hidden bar :). However, cocktails here have a price of around 13 USD. And if you are asking yourself about Bar Stories dress code – there is no dress code, just be decent.

The post Bar Stories Singapore – Another Hidden Bar appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

The Ambiance of 28 HongKong Street Bar

This time it was no exception, too. From the outside, you won’t even notice it. There is no sound of people chatting or music playing. There is also no secret sign that would point you in the hidden direction. And just like that, a step through the ordinary door takes you straight to the Narnia. Well, my idea of Narnia, of course!

To picture, a neat and dimmed room with a long shiny bar is hiding back there. Behind the bar the display of liquors are placed, which have well-planned lighting. Here at 28 HongKong Street, the ambiance is truly neat. In a word, it’s quite discreet with great house music in the background. However, the drinks got more attention. What else would you expect if capable hands of barista champions are making it? In 2016, it was chosen for the Best Bar in Asia. Actually, in 2018 it was on 34th place on top 50 bars in the world list. Yes, it’s a famous bar.

28 HKS Bar Menu

When we got the menu, we knew that no matter what we choose it would be an extraordinary and edible piece of art. Their cocktail list is extended and having some exclusive scotch is not a sin at all. I am sure they change their offer from time to time and add some new cocktail ideas. On our visit, there was a cocktail that got to the finals on the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition 2017, for example.

Our Drinks

This time, the Irish Goodbye got Vivi’s attention. It is made of Teeling’s Irish whiskey and Horchata. Horchata is a Mexican drink that can be made of almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or melon seeds. As a matter of fact, it is a lightly fermented drink that apparently goes great with whiskey. The flavors of fresh mint and few slices of cucumber covered the strong flavors and the generous portion of ice softened all the booze. On the positive side, the cucumber isn’t just a garnish, but a great addition to this drink. It adds some fruitiness and refreshes the drink. In this case, minty aftertaste is a nice addition, which wash-out the flavors and prepares you for the next sip. A pleasant cocktail!

Two Cocktails For Me

I had the degustation of two cocktails that were based on the Bacardi Rum. Actually, those are the cocktails that got to the finals on the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition 2017. My first choice was The Rising wind from Brandon Khoo. By the way, Brandon is also the barman here at 28 HKS. The base is 8 years aged Bacardi Rum with pineapple, balsamic lemon, and basil. It’s a refreshing and slightly acidic drink. The sweetness of the pineapple covered the pungent balsamic lemon taste. In addition, basil is very nice to contribute to the fruity flavors. That is a light cocktail that I would love to drink on and on.

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Second Round

The second one is the creation of Shafiq Rahima – The Avante. To point out, it is a bit stronger, which comes great. Made of lime ginger, mint, Bénédictine Cocchi Brut: for the base, he used the 8 years aged Bacardi Rum. Anyway, the ginger is measured thoughtfully, and it is a pleasant match with the mint. Fundamentally, it was a cocktail for a hot sunny day. The bubbles of sparkling wine were the reason that this was my favorite one. The only downside was the lack of bubbles. I guess the bottle was opened for a while and the bubbles ran away. However, this cocktail is a top-notch overall.

Coppertone

Our friend chose Coppertone, which is nice to look at and have a pleasant taste. As can been seen, it is served in a neat whiskey glass with the big slowly frozen ice cube with their logo on top. Why it is important that the ice is slowly made? Because it’s more transparent and it melts much slower! The ingredients in this cocktail are the Plantation Original Dark Rum, Virgin Coconut Oil, Five Spice Pineapple and Angostura Bitters.

Five Spices are actually Asian spices: of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Szechwan peppercorns. Angostura Bitters comes from Trinidad and Tobago and is made of water, alcohol, herbs, Gentiana, and spices. On the other side, the Gentiana gives the distinguished bitter taste. Owing to the bitterness, the pineapple comes to the forefront and coconut oil is the perfect lubricant that has well incorporated into rum.

Conclusion

Even though we came with full tummies our eyes spotted a few nice smelling dishes that the neighboring tables got. So, our guess was that there weren’t just good drinks, but also good bites. However, we were pleased with our selections and would recommend 28 HongKong Street Bar to all good drink enthusiasts. A nice ambiance with well-thought drinks, what can be better than this? If you like amazing bars, don’t miss out Atlas Bar Singapore, which is one of our favorite bars ever!

28 HongKong Street Review Card

• 8.7/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 8.7/10
• 9/10
  SERVICE – 9/10
• 8.9/10
  DRINK SELECTION – 8.9/10
• 9/10
  PRESENTATION – 9/10
• 9.2/10
  OUR DRINKS – 9.2/10
• 9.2/10
  VALUE – 9.2/10

Price and Location

Prices of cocktails here at 28 HongKong Street Singapore are about 20 – 25 USD, which is a normal Singapore price. Here is a link to a location in a case, you would like to discover this great secret bar.

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1. Random Bypassers Can’t Find It

This means people there will be mostly for the same reason as you – Good drink and laid down atmosphere. There is also hard to find some grumpy dudes looking for trouble in those places. I think these are essentials for having your drink and enjoying the moment.

2. The Drink You Order Will Surely Be Delicious

Why can I be so sure? Because these bars bet on the customers for spreading the good word, personal marketing, and, of course, social media advertising. The good news travels fast. However, the bad ones have ten times the speed of the good ones. So, if you want to have a good reputation your service must be good at all times. The offer in these bars is less mainstream, so don’t expect Cuba Libre type of cocktails. The final product is usually the tasty masterpiece of a talented barman or a Bar Chef. It’s not rare to find someone with a barman trophy in a pocket behind the bar. The enthusiastic staff often participate in different cocktails competitions. So, it’s justified to expect more creative drinks in a bar where imagination has no limits.

3. Signature Cocktails

There is a hidden bar in which you can have a Tom Yum cocktail. It is a signature cocktail of a barman and when he is off duty you can only listen about it. That happened to us when we were there. However, I got what it takes to imagine how creative and delicious this drink must be. In the same hidden bar, we were surprised that they don’t have the menu. The preferred flavors and guest’s feelings are put in the foreground. The offer is totally personalized, and I liked that idea of my drink actually made just for me. What we wanted in our drinks was to feel the tropics and the ocean. As we were already in high spirits, we didn’t have some special requests, just to remain cheerful. Two versions of splendid cocktails were definitely far from the usual summery drinks. The flavors and appearance were exquisite.

4. The Ambiance

Regardless of the style, which can vary from modern to hipster, homey… it’s eye candy. Good music and laid-back feeling are the common ground. Guests that make an effort to find the place appreciate the quality drink and cherish the culture of Mixology. People come to secret bars to enjoy their drink and socialize. No one is harassing anyone.

5. Creativity

They aren’t only creative when it comes to drinks, but also in other approaches. For example, in one hidden bar we get through a fridge, which was in an ordinary coffee shop. So, in the daytime, there is a small coffee shop, which is used as a gateway to the hidden bar. How creative is that?

How to Find Hidden Bars?

How did we find the hidden bar? The first one was a suggestion from our friend who lives in the city. The hint for the second one, we got at the BBQ party. If you don’t know the locals you can also search on the web and check social media. There are many hidden bars and I’m sure it doesn’t take too long to find a few.

Speaking of hidden trends, there is another hit that we haven’t tried yet. That is the underground kitchen. The host is someone who likes to cook, and it doesn’t matter whether they are professional or not. They transform their home into a restaurant for a small culinary experience that lasts for a few hours. There is a small group enjoying this meal and you can have direct contact with your chef.

So, yeah, hidden treasures are always the ones we cherish the most. The next time you go to the big city make an effort and go to a hidden bar instead of the one next door. Make a change and enjoy your drink. If you feel that is worth revisiting, let us know. That goes for hidden bars and underground kitchens as well.

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