Employees Only

Review

What to imbibe: Manhattan Cocktail, Provençal, Ready Fire Aim, EO Gimlet, Amelia

Loud, brazen and cool, the Singapore outpost of the legendary neo-speakeasy, Employees Only (EO), transplants a slice of New York to our tropical isle. Staying true to the original, the bar’s front neon facade may assert that it’s a psychic’s enterprise (though the only thing I’d trust this oracle with predicting is what my next cocktail will be) but is really working to draw you to the back where the party really is. Inside, you are greeted by a curved bar, timber panelling, marble floors and an elevated dining area for dinner, drinks or getting your groove on. Best known for their reinterpreted classics using contemporary touches, house-made spirit infusions and syrups, EO’s world-class bar programme has held its own since its inception in 2004 with the international cocktail community singing its praises with a slew of awards, including World’s Best Cocktail Bar for the New York property in 2011. For regulars, what they love about EO is its convivial and unpretentious vibe paired with the bartenders’ flawless execution and free-pouring style.

“A raucous crowd on most nights makes this a fun place to be at, if you are in the mood to sing along to retro numbers!” — Min-Li