This eclectic bar on Duxton Road is a cafe by day, watering hole by night

Discover the new wave of intimate bars in Singapore. In part 2 of this three-part series, we speak to Cat Bite Club's Gabriel Lowe.

Singapore’s bar scene has evolved over the last few years, with a growing number of smaller spaces that are operated by independent bartenders.

One of these hidden spots is Cat Bite Club by operating partners Gabriel Lowe and Jesse Vida. They wanted to be able to offer high- touch service where they can talk and engage with every guest. If customers are keen, they introduce their vast collection of rice spirits and agaves used to concoct the cocktails. The idea is that the experience is completely immersive, and you can escape the outside world when you are in the bar.

Cat Bite Club: Redefining hospitality

When you enter 75 Duxton Road, you will see Monument Lifestyle, a cafe that closes at 4pm on weekdays. Look beyond the coffee counter and you will be greeted by a glowing red sign with a mischievous Cheshire cat grin. Cat Bite Club, which opens at 5pm, is hidden behind thick drapes. There’s no fancy decor in this dimly lit space, just a bar counter and a huge shelf laden with all manner of spirits.

Operating partners Gabriel Lowe and Jesse Vida have drawn from their solid hospitality experience to realise their lifelong dream of opening a bar together. They both started their careers together in San Francisco in 2007. When they moved to Asia, Jesse helmed Atlas Bar – which has consistently featured on Asia’s and World’s 50 Best Bars list – as head bartender, while Gabriel worked at Bangkok’s trendy rooftop bar Paradise Lost and The Standard Hotel.

For the 30-seater Cat Bite Club, the partners decided to feature cocktails that focus on agave and rice spirits, some of which are procured from under-the-radar producers. To date, the collection boasts more than 100 agave spirits, including tequila and mezcal, as well as sotol and other agave distillates. For rice spirits, the bar offers a list of soju, shochu, baijiu and arrack. The team is always building the collection, both through local distributors, as well as during their travels.

You have worked in much bigger establishments prior to this. Why did you choose to set up a more intimate and distinctive bar concept in Singapore?

JESSE VIDA (JV): The decision to open an intimate venue spurs from our main directive as operators – providing excellent service in a space with a great atmosphere. Our venue has a cosy feel, and all tables are at the same height as the bar, so everyone in the space feels connected to what is going on. I think Singaporeans enjoy the experience and the level of hospitality we are able to create in our smaller space.

What are some of your signature drinks, and what new cocktails have you rolled out recently?

JV: We have two signatures: The Cat Bite Margarita, made of Codigo 1530 Blanco tequila, Siete Misterios Espadin mezcal, Cointreau, fresh citrus blend, agave nectar, and sherry; and the Soju Sprint, comprising Tokki soju, peach, honey, mint, fresh citrus blend, sherry, absinthe, and soda.

We have also just added three new drinks to the menu – a classic Chrysanthemum (Avallen calvados, absinthe, dry vermouth, and Benedictine); an agave variation, Desert Island (Patron Blanco tequila, sotol texano, St Germain elderflower, pine, Peychaud’s bitters, and grapefruit bitters); and a rice variation, Martini Peas (Hachi rice shochu, snap pea, aquavit, and blanc vermouth). Our drinks menu changes every four to five months.

What are some of the pivotal changes you've seen in Singapore's bartending industry?

GABRIEL LOWE: The bartending scene in Singapore is always evolving. What I really enjoy about the young generation of bartenders here is that they are hungry for knowledge and experience. The next generation of bar managers and owners are going to be excellent leaders and educators.

75 Duxton Road, hp: 8190-6597, catbiteclub.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Clement Goh, Lawrence Teo & Athirah Anissa
ART DIRECTION Adeline Eng
COORDINATION Karishma Tulsidas
LOCATION Cat Bite Club