A brief visit to Singapore gave me an opportunity to tick another essential cocktail pilgrimage off the list: Raffles Hotel. First impressions are very encouraging. Its just how I imagined it to be. And then some. Colonial splendour that just keeps going on and on. 3 floors and a sprawling complex, now crammed with boutique shops since the early 90s restoration. The relocated Long Bar has the perfect look. But it’s true what they say. The Singapore Slings are made from a pretty revolting pre-mix. Worse still there’s little shaking of drinks with ice. Or stirring. They mix the syrupy ingredients with a machine and then chuck in one or two ice cubes as an after thought. I know it’s a mistake but I do what I have to do and order a Sling. It arrives warm and sickly sweet. And tastes nothing like a Singapore Sling. Sitting at the bar I watch another cocktail being made with an array of brightly coloured juices and syrups. I have to resist the urge to vault the bar and wrestle the shaker out of the barman’s hands. I reflect on my cocktail snobbishness as the rest of the bar enjoy their drinks. I notice a couple who have finished their cocktails and are ordering beer and wine second time round. I feel only marginally better.
Exploring a bit further to the south east corner I discover the Tiffin Room (which does an excellent curry buffet) and the Bar and Billiard Room which is a classier version of the Long Bar with a quiet terrace. Neither of which are on the Raffles maps so are easy to miss if you enter from the slightly more touristy north end. They are however well worth seeking out.
The next night I visit the amazing Singapore Night Safari with friends, and we call in at a recommended cocktail establishment on the way back into town. The wonderfully named Tippling Club. Unfortunately it’s closed, so we settle for a local brew pub instead. Didn’t have much luck with mixed drinks in Singapore, but my next stop would be Shanghai, where things would be looking up…