Wine bars are having a moment. For connoisseurs, the appeal is clear—these dedicated venues celebrate the art of wine by bringing in novel varietals from new regions, pairing them creatively with dishes catered to our local palate. An eclectic ambience, too, contributes possibilities contributes to an oenophile’s wine drinking experience. But the underlying reason for this phenomenon? According to Davis Tan, the head sommelier at Fool Wine Bar, global wineries have begun to strive for an extended presence in Asia, relying on the refined tastes of wine enthusiasts in Singapore and Hong Kong as discerning clientele.
“Distributors have become more quality-conscious,” says Tan, listing temperature-controlled storage and premium glassware as common efforts to elevate the imbibing experience. “Over the last 10 years, the push towards more unique and emerging wine regions, producers and styles has been relentless,” he adds.
As a result, sustainable, organic, biodynamic and minimal-intervention natural tipples have become mainstream. Opportunities to deepen one’s appreciation of a growing spectrum of wines are now abundant—for casual drinkers and devoted aficionados alike.“This allows people to geek out about wines of more unique regions, varieties or styles. As climate change becomes more impactful and new-world regions grow in success, we will soon stop dividing wines by region and instead view them from a global perspective,” Tan says.
In this vein, Tan emphasises that the most important takeaway guests should keep in mind throughout the wine bar experience is “an enhanced understanding of one’s palate and preferences, and a growing confidence to engage with sommeliers”. And how better to begin your exploration than with Vogue Singapore’s shortlist of the best wine bars in town?
1 / 8
Fool Wine Bar
Abounding with youthful energy and a lively disposition, Fool is a Bib Gourmand-rated wine bar and one of Rishi Naleendra’s babies, alongside Cloudstreet and Kotuwa. Toss all preconceived notions of wine bars out of the window once you step in, for the dining experience here is decidedly fun and brims with a playful touch of insouciance. Head sommelier Davis Tan brings to the table an encyclopaedic level knowledge on wines, especially when it comes to diverse and artisanal wines from all over the world, and is always at the ready to recommend a bottle that you’ve probably never tried (or heard of) before.
The full-bodied Bonnet-Ponson Cuvée Perpétuelle Rosé ‘Extra Brut’ and fresh yet textured Domaine des Ardoisières Argile Blanc 2020 are some of our top picks that we will return for. Book in for dinner, as their dishes are simple but excellent and pair wonderfully with the wines. Fool’s dark rye rolls are warm and delectable, and are best consumed smeared with a robust vegemite butter. Their wagyu beef tartare, paired with smoked egg yolk and fermented chilli mayonnaise, as well as the roasted yellow chicken thigh in bread broth, are both superb. After an unintimidating night at Fool, we left armed with more wine knowledge than before, and a feeling that we would be back in the very near future.
Fool Wine Bar, 21 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069620
2 / 8
Club Street Wine Room
Run by the team behind Cure, Butcher Boy and Catfish, Club Street Wine Room is an elegant, tastefully-furnished wine bar boasting an impressive list of both conventional and unorthodox labels. Sommelier Amir Solay is a whiz and finding bottles that intrigue both in flavour and provenance, with offerings running the gamut from sea-aged wines such as Sea Soul No. 4, amphorae-aged wines like Chateau Kefraya Collection Amphora 2018, and locally-made Sachi soy wines. The establishment’s extensive dining menu decidedly does not play second fiddle, standing out with hearty yet elevated takes on comfort food—think oysters topped with caramelised bacon jam or crispy fried chicken. Topped off with friendly service, the bar promises an evening (or afternoon, if you’re lucky) of pure respite.
Club Street Wine Room, 87 Club Street, Singapore 069455
3 / 8
67 Pall Mall
For a truly exclusive wine bar experience and unprecedented access to the most diverse wine list in Southeast Asia—the six-metre floor-to-ceiling wine tower speaks for itself—consider a membership with 67 Pall Mall. The London-born Club’s first Asian outpost is located in a spectacular penthouse and allows private members to enjoy the finest wines at sensible prices. Be prepared for sheer sensorial rhapsody as you sip on quality wine in a hand-blown Zalto glass, with its dainty design accentuating aromas and nuances down to every last drop. Pair that with fine-dining-inspired plates such as pan-fried foie gras and veal sweetbread to complete the experience.
67 Pall Mall, 1 Scotts Rd, #27-00 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208
4 / 8
Le Bon Funk
A mainstay in Singapore’s wine bar scene is the creative yet unpretentious Le Bon Funk, offering an array of dynamic and unfiltered natural wines such as Cos, Gauby, Ochota Barrels and Le Grappin. Its ever-expanding wine list emphasises unique terroirs and unfamiliar vinification methods, enough to take your tastebuds on a joyride around the world. Within the sleek confines of the bar’s contemporary interiors, the open kitchen takes centre stage, where European influences and Asian ingredients amalgamate to burst wildly with flavour. Clink your glasses over delicious sharing plates—from cedar jelly foie gras toast to burrata and pumpkin seed gremolata—as Le Bon Funk shows you and your company a good time.
Le Bon Funk, 29 Club Street, Singapore 069414
5 / 8
Praelum Wine Bistro
With their very own 1000 bottle-strong walk-in cellar, Praelum is a wine aficionado’s sacred haven. Here, you are truly spoilt for choice. We recommend customising your own wine flights (opt for themed selections like ‘Cabernet The Bastard King’), but you may also choose to savour your favourite label by the glass, richly preserved via the latest Coravin technology. As you sip, it’s hard to avoid the tantalising plates served by the bistro. Despite deceptively simple menu descriptions, these dishes accrued from the sommeliers’ travels are global in flavour and executed with French techniques—with an added dose of fun adding to the Duxton Hill venue’s convivial ambience.
Praelum Wine Bistro, 4 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089590
6 / 8
Park90
Rest assured that only the most elite wines make it to Park90’s menu. Each and every bottle in the opulent wine lounge share one thing in common—making the minimum cut of 90 points in the esteemed Robert Parker Wine Advocate review list, a testament to their unparalleled calibre, complexity and character. Much to the delight of the avid oenophile, wines are served by the glass and monthly flight themes explore both exceptional and alternative varietals. For more privileges, consider committing to a membership to taste limited-release wines not available on the market. One might also be tempted to indulge in Western and Asian dishes offered on the menu, including delights from the Michelin one-starred restaurant Summer Palace.
Park90, Conrad Singapore Orchard, Lobby, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715
7 / 8
Rebel Rebel
Like its name suggests, Rebel Rebel is a retreat for bold, free-spirited souls. Without conforming to the formality of traditional wine bars, the space welcomes wine-loving guests with a laid-back atmosphere and smiling portraits of old and new world winemakers. At the forefront of Rebel Rebel’s appeal is their dedication to wineries with remarkable terroir, proved by their 200-strong list including small-batch wines prized for rarity. Expect a taste of wines usually unheard of in Singapore—think Fujimaru Table Top 2019—courtesy of the bar’s strong relations with worldwide winemakers. Chef Alysia Chan helms the kitchen here, whipping up culinary treats with only ethically-sourced ingredients and a minimal-waste philosophy.
Rebel Rebel, 14 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089828
8 / 8
Salt & Palm
The calm and serenity of Bali permeates Salt & Palm’s ambience. Rattan furniture and a summery colour scheme provide a sense of tranquillity perfect for kicking back and revelling in a glass of wine or two—have your pick from red, white, rosé, sparkling, orange or natural. Make sure to try their special tasting sets, which include the distinct piquancy of Georgian wines and crisp, peppery notes from Syrah grapes. On the food front, seasonal produce from Australia and culinary influences from Indonesia meld in a divine blend of sumptuous flavours, with items such as rendang egg croissants and knafeh cushioning your stomach. Think of it as a lush getaway of sheer self-indulgence, if you will.
Salt & Palm, 467 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427678
