Asia's 50 best bars 2017
Employees Only Singapore has been named #17 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2017, voted by the most knowledgeable and travelled members of the bar industry, drinks media and mixology experts from across Asia.
About
With noted New York restaurants popping up all over Singapore, it’s quickly beginning to feel like the city is turning into a satellite state of the Big Apple. But with nightlife legends like Employees Only leading the charge, there’s very little to complain about. Loved by night owls in New York for its kooky, offbeat service, strong classic cocktails, and delicious comfort food, this West Village institution is now in Singapore, headed by one of the original bosses, the affable Igor Hadzismajlovic. Employees Only’s Singapore outpost is the bar’s first such international undertaking, and has landed at swish Amoy Street, to join the belt-of-sin’s constellation of upmarket speakeasies.
Past the friendly door-keeps, you’re greeted by a surly, turban-wearing fortune teller (don’t ask) before you go through velvet curtains into a Moulin-Rouge-esque carnival of raucous chatter, Motown, and the chaotic sounds of a busy bar. The crowd is one of the friendliest in town, standing-room only on the best of nights with plenty of good booze to keep conversations going. Sip on one of the bar’s superb classic Manhattans as you scoot over to your table and sit down to a supper of comforting favourites like the joint’s famous Bone Marrow Poppers and Hand Cut Steak Tartare. Earlier in the night, dinner plates include a Roasted Half Chicken adorned with cauliflower, capers, and parsley, a tender Porterhouse Pork Chop with black eyed peas and savoy cabbage, and a grilled Whole Rainbow Trout.
But with accolades including Spirited Awards’ “World’s Best Cocktail Bar”, Employees Only Singapore guides your focus to the well trained bar-team, led by veteran bartender Steve Schneider, which turns out classic cocktails and new signatures made from a hefty selection of boutique spirits, house-made syrups, tinctures, and other goodies. Employees Only is all good: the vibes, the food, the drink, and, employees or not, we’re glad it’s in Singapore! (Jan 2017)
The buzz
“You can expect raucous late-night partying and friendly hospitality—the last batch of revelers will be served warm cups of chicken soup upon closing.” -SG Magazine
“Choose to have your fortune read or squeeze through the mingling crowd to the back of Employee’s Only Singapore for a table – like the original New York cocktail institution of the same name, this local off-shoot is a favourite among F&B folks to gather and unwind.” -Time Out Singapore