From The Straits Times    |

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First dates can be nerve-wracking. What should you wear? What should you say? And more importantly – where’s a good place to go? If you find yourself at a loss when he asks where you’d want to go for drinks, don’t worry. Here’s a pick of the best bars in Singapore to ensure your first date is a strong 10/10.
 

PS.Cafe Attic Lounge Bar

If you work in the central area, you might want to consider PS.Cafe Ann Siang Hill. Skip the cafe and head to the top floor, where you’ll find the charming Attic Lounge Bar. It’s a cosy space that will set the tone right with its mood lighting, plush leather seats and a gorgeous outdoor terrace. It’s a pretty low-key and intimate bar, which makes it a perfect first date location. There’s plenty of drink options too (ask about the daily Happy Hour deals)  – from cocktails to wines to bubbly – and a decent bar bites menu if you get peckish. Looking for something date-friendly (i.e., won’t get messy)? The truffle shoestring fries is a safe choice.

PS.Cafe Attic Lounge Bar is at 45 Ann Siang Road.

 

CÉ LA VI

I mean, we can’t have a round up on date-worthy bars and not mention the bar where Crazy Rich Asians was shot at. Perched on the same level as the Marina Bay Sands’ famed infinity pool, CE LA VI offers you panoramic views of the city’s skyline as you sip on their signature cocktails. By the way, cocktails start from $22 while beers start from $16 – not too steep for a place that sets the scene for Crazy Rich Asians, to be honest. If you’re looking more for a meal, they’ve also just launched a new a la carte menu featuring mod-Asian dishes like Steamed Kuhlbarra Barramundi & Naam Jim Dressing ($44) and Braised Short Rib Beef Rendang ($48).

CÉ LA VI is at 1 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands Tower 3.

 

Magnolia

This one requires a bit of explanation, so bear with us here. Set up by the people behind 28 HongKong Street, Junior is a bar that has a new concept every six months or so. That means you get a new menu, new cocktails and an entirely new decor every time. What we love about this place is that it’s sort of like a speakeasy, although they’ll insist that they’re not. The bar seats just 10 people, the bartenders are more than happy to tell you more about the history behind the delish cocktails, and the entrance can be a little difficult to locate on your first try (it’s in the alley on Cook Street). But when you do, your date will be super impressed. Plus 10 cool points. Currently, the concept is Magnolia, which celebrates New Orleans and its cocktail culture. Highlights include the Pimm’s Cup ($25), the Milk Punch ($25), and the Grasshopper ($25). Don’t leave without having a bite of the beignets, which are essentially deep-fried pieces of dough with a delightful custard center.

Junior is at 43 Tanjong Pagar Road. The entrance is in the alley on Cook Street.

 

Little Creatures

If your date looooooves beer, bring him to the Little Creatures brewpub at Mohamed Ali Lane. Hailing from Fremantle, Little Creatures is an Australian craft brewery brand that’s best known for their Pale Ale. The laidback and no-frills vibes of the place doesn’t hurt either. But while you’re there, try the Rogers’ beer, which is made available in Singapore for the first time. They’ll also have some limited releases on tap, so be sure to ask! Food-wise, we’d recommend the steamed mussels ($29) and the fried man tou with chilli crab sauce ($19).

Little Creatures is at 36 Club Street. Entrance at Mohamed Ali Lane.

 

Ding Dong

Take your date on a little culinary adventure at Ding Dong, which is known for serving up Asian flavours with a modern twist. The quirky cocktail menu alone makes for a great conversation starter. Named the Not So Lonely Planet, the menu features 12 Asian-inspired cocktails such as the Butterfly ($22++), a whiskey ball made with frozen blue pea flower juice; and the Sabai Sabai ($22++), a vodka-based drink infused with Thai herbs, blue ginger, and citrus. On the food side, you can expect items like a chilli crab version of the Kuih Pie Tee ($15), and a Durian Alaska ($18).

Ding Dong is at 115 Amoy Street.

 

Tippling Club

Here’s another cool place to add to your list of Bars That Are Great For First Dates. Tippling Club’s cocktail program boasts a sensorium menu – currently, the menu is in the form of gummy bears that give you a little taste of what your drink will be like – which definitely makes for a great conversation start, not to mention a memorable date. If you’re a cocktail fan, you’ll adore these Singapore inspired cocktails. They’ve also recently launched a new bar snack menu, which is basically a condensed version of some of the highlights off the restaurant’s tasting menu.

Tippling Club is at 38 Tanjong Pagar Road.

 

This article was first published on CLEO.

ALSO READ: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DRESSING FOR A FIRST DATE: STYLE DO’S AND DONT’S