Once a hotbed of secret societies, underground activity and liquor distilleries, today The Warehouse Hotel stands as one of Singapore’s most beautifully refurbished historic sites, in the form of a modern, design-forward 37-room boutique hotel. Through the main doors lies a striking lobby, its high ceiling accentuated by industrial exposed beams and low hanging lights. Midcentury modern furniture, terracotta lounge chairs and curated pieces of modern art emanate a luxurious yet convivial ambience. This is The Warehouse Lobby Bar—an anchor of the hotel, and a buzzy nightlife spot in its own right where a slice of local history is being revived.
Thanks to its unique interiors and a standout beverage programme, The Warehouse Lobby Bar has long transcended conventional conceptions of hotel lobby bars. According to founder and managing partner of The Lo & Behold Group, Wee Teng Wen, this is by design.
Wee shares: “Hotels have long been a haven for travellers passing through the city, yet the lobby bar is often an afterthought, overshadowed by the allure of the city. With the refreshed Warehouse Lobby Bar, we wanted to redefine the lobby bar of tomorrow—one that serves as a gateway to our city’s culture, and ultimately becomes a vibrant destination unto itself.”
With Asian culture and flavours taking centrestage, the bar offers an expansive list of curated tipples, ranging from Asian craft beers and cocktails to fine wines and house-infused spirits. Notably, The Warehouse Lobby Bar’s bespoke Chiu Long Gin showcases its emphasis on Singapore history. Distilled in-house using local botanicals, the spirit pays homage to the hotel’s history as a den of vice.
The refreshed cocktail menu, meanwhile, steals the provincial spotlight. Helmed by food and beverage director Joseph Haywood, each cocktail pays tribute to the hotel’s rich history as a hidden distillery, putting a deliciously hedonistic twist on creative concoctions.“The experience combines comfort with a cheeky reminder of the forbidden, as we celebrate the undiscovered aspects of Singapore’s underbelly. Each cocktail is a tribute to moments in time, reimagined with local ingredients and playful, hedonistic flair,” says Haywood.
With the menu categorised into four distinct flavour profiles, your taste buds will traverse the map of Singapore with each sip. Rediscover the familiar flavour of Katong Laksa reimagined in Tiki Katong, a playful take on a Mai Tai which combines ABA Pisco, El Dorado 8, lime and Cointreau with the bold flavours of laksa leaf and peanut. The laksa leaves are blanched and chilled to create a delicate ‘laksa tea,’ adding a subtle herbal twist.
Elsewhere, Banana Money presents a tropical twist on an Old Fashioned, pairing Teelings Irish Whisky with a house-made banana juice crafted through an enzyme-induced process and filtered into a clear, sweet liquid. With Amaro Lucano and absinthe also in the mix, this fruity concoction leaves a chill similar to its inspiration—the mythical pontianak originating from Malay folklore.
If you prefer a touch of spice, The Warehouse Martini reinvents a classic by combining Chiu Long Gin, Hapusa Gin and Baldora Dry, accented perfectly by Shao Hsing Wine. The final touch? A few sprigs of popping sea grapes, paying tribute to Singapore’s vibrant history as a seaport.
Don’t expect your usual bar grub here either. Tying in the unique flavours found within the cocktail menu, the kitchen whips up elevated takes on hawker favourites with a trace of opulence. Think succulent slices of charcoal-grilled Iberico jowl marinated with Arabica coffee and a sweet black bean glaze; mushroom dumplings doused in a moreish spiced ginger sesame sauce; or a platter of fresh Kueh Pie Tee.
Stellar music rounds out the experience at The Warehouse Lobby Bar. Groove to sets from an exciting lineup of DJs with a refreshing cocktail in hand and a plethora of delicious bites before you—we can think of few better ways to unwind.
