Swissotel's New Asia Bar - Best City View in Singapore

I am not exaggerating on the title. This place is probably Singapore’s best kept secret as not many locals frequent it. The bar has the most beautiful city view in Singapore. Best of all, it is not expensive as you think it might be. It is in fact so affordable that the taxi fare back home would probably cost more than a drink there! Don’t believe? Read on!

Again, this bar was introduced to us by the same “rich” secondary school classmate few years back. Since then, I really believed that rich people know more than commoners like us. I would always bring my friends there to experience ultimate night life in Singapore. Swissotel as everyone would know is Singapore’s tallest hotel. At the top of the hotel, level 70th is the famed restaurant – The Equinox. However, one level above The Equinox which is the 71st level is Singapore’s highest bar – New Asia Bar.

So,what is so special about New Asia Bar? Located at the top of Swissotel , you get the bird eye view of Singapore business district and the surrounding Singapore River area. The view is especially spectacular come night time when the Central Business District lit up. The other thing about the bar is that their drinks are discounted during happy hours from 3 pm till 9 pm. There is 30% off selected drinks during happy hours or "Sundown period" as they termed it and the offers applies to all their lounges in the hotel.

The interior design of the bar is sleek and ultra sexy. Upon entering the bar, one would be greeted by the majestic chandelier. (Pardon the photo, I was a bit tipsy while taking this picture... Nah, just joking my camera is not suited for night shot.)

After 9 pm, the lights will be dimed, so that people's attention will be on the beautiful scenery and the brightly lited bar.

I ordered Caipirinha in Lychee Flavour. It has a similar taste as Mojito, but without the mint. Sweet and nice, definately a lady drink. I ordered it during sundown period and it cost me $13 dollars. I was amazed! Cocktails usually cost $15 dollars at most bars.

My friend ordered Mojito. It tasted quite nice too and yes it is $13 dollars too.

This drink just screamed "Sex and the City". The classic Cosmopolitan. One of my other friend ordered Hoegarden Beer which cost $9 dollars...

Actually, New Asia Bar offers a wide varieties of Champagne-based cocktails. In fact, there is always Moet and Chardon Champagne promotion there. I think one bottle cost about $135 which works out very worthwhile if you have few friends sharing. In the picture, my friend ordered this Lychee-liquor Champagne drink, but I could not remember the name. It is however not a sundown discounted drink and cost $24 dollars, but it tasted exquisite.

There are "free" chips for every table. However, as we did not have a satisfying dinner, I ordered their bar food to share. This is of course normal potatoes wedges. The "special" touch of this bar food is that the accompanied garlic mayo dip tasted very nice. It cost me $18 dollars and I am "grateful" that it was served pipping hot.

After mentioning for so many times about the stunning night view of Singapore, here it is. I must stress that all photos with Photosophize watermark including the one below is copyrighted. Do not reuse them without permission.

Looking at this reminds me of the following:

A Glass of Caipirinha for $13 dollars.

A Bottle of Moet and Chardon for $135 dollars.

A View like this Priceless...

For Everything Else, you have Master Card.

LOL.

Another spectacular view of the other side of the city! This is the beauty of Singapore!

While we were there, we noticed something untypical of this lady sitting across our table. She had ordered a bottle of White Wine and was actually reading a novel while sipping through the glass. We all looked at her admirably. She had just given the term “reading a book” a whole new class and taken it up a level. Of course, I only wanted to ask her whether she really read the words in the dimed lights and if the techno music really did not bother her.

Perhaps one day in honour of her, I will bring my laptop there, ordered a bottle of champagne and start blogging there. I will then give the term “blogging” a whole new level! Hahaha…

Verdict:

Must visit. Enter the bar by approaching reception counter in the Intro Bar. You will guide to take a special lift to reach New Asia Bar. I supposed no one would want to climb up 71 floors to the bar. The lift is another special experience. I supposed it travelled in super sonic speed which brings you up there in merely few seconds.

Lastly, enjoy the night!

Note:

Their sundown period is daily from 3 pm till 9 pm. There is a cover charge of $25 dollars for Fridays, Saturdays and Eve of Public Holiday.

For more information about New Asia Bar, check them out here.

Read about other fun spots in Singapore:

• Paulaner German Pub
• Barfly Bar
• Night Scene at Clarke Quay

Count Down Party at Paulaner German Bar !

Not sure if it was hangover, but I did not manage to blog about the countdown party until today. I brought my camera along with me on New Year Eve day with the intention to photograph down the last moment of 2008. However, due to an unexpected change of plan, I did not manage to hit the street until about 6 pm on New Year’s Eve.

Guessing that it would be very crowded at Marina Bay and Esplanade’s area, we decided to forsake the fireworks and go countdown at somewhere else. Paulaners – The German Bar cum Restaurant at Millennia Walk opposite Suntec Convention Hall then came to our mind. One of Secondary Schoolmate introduced us to that place some years back and ever since then Paulaners becomes a special place for us.

We reached there at about 9 pm. It was already very crowded in the pub. The pub interior area is already full-house. We had wanted to give up and go somewhere else when one of the waitresses told us that a table was available inside. A good start for the New Year, it seems.

Look at the crowd in the pub - people are already in partying mood when we reached!

Paulaners being a German pub is of course famous for their beer. Though the selection is rather limited with only lager and strout to choose from, these beers are freshly brewed at the pub. I must say their lager tasted much better than Tiger beer if you know what I mean. Tiger beer is an acquired taste for first-timer as it is very dry and bitter, but Paulaner's lager is not as dry and in fact tasted quite smooth and has a rather delicate malt taste. Their stout on the other hand has a richer flavour with a fuller body compared to lager, but not as intensed Guinness Stout.

I am trying very hard to describe the taste here since I am not a big fan of beer. However, I find their beer taste acceptable for first-timer and ladies because they tasted much better (largely because of the smooth quality) than the commercial ones. Those who like me who don't really like beer can give it a try as well.

Well, if you really don't like beer, Paulaners of course served other alcholics drinks as well. Their selection is again not as wide as some pubs, but the drinks like cocktails came in rather larger-sized glass and tasted quite delicious! Drivers, their fruit juice cost $7 dollars.

Another main attraction of the pub is the live band performance. Noticed the large copper pot looking instrument in the background? It is their brewing instrument (not sure if it can be called an instrument). There is a small walk-way concrete platform surrounding it that makes an elevated narrow stage for performers. Not sure what is their name, but the songs they sings ranges from oldies to latest chart hits. You can make dedications if you have pen and paper.

I actually wrote a very long list for them that day and amazingly they covered quite a number of the songs. I did not manage to say to them then, but the performance was great and they sing very well! Thank you for the amazing performance!

Because it is New Year Eve, there are party pack too for each of the customers. There is mask, beeper and all sorts of sound making gadgets.


With so many materials on hand, Photosophize just had to show off how she decorated the plain black party hat! Taa Daa! Cool hor?

I must say their beer refreshing taste goes very well with the German pub food.

This time round, we ordered their sausage sampler plate (for 2 to 3 people) which had Spicy Chicken Sausage, Numberger Sausage (pork) and the Cheese Knuckles Sausage (pork). It is served on a bed of Sauerkraut.


This is the Spicy Chicken sausage. It is a rather lean sausage where one can still tasted the meat texture in it. Not really spicy on my opinion, but had a savoury taste.

Numberger sausage as seen above had been grilled till the casting burst. I had thought it would had a strong intense flavour compared to their two, but it is the mildest flavoured one among the three. I like the firm and "crispy" casting which snaps in every bite.

The last flavour - Cheese Knuckles happened to be my favourite among the three. I think it is very important for sausages to have a good casting as it can determine whether a sausage is good or not. Again, this one has a good casting. Most importantly for a cheese sausage, it was served still warm and you know that it is good when you can see the melted cheese squirt out when you sink the fork into it. Yummy!

I also love their sauerkraut. German traditionally served Sauerkraut (cabbage stewed with vinger)with rich food such as pork knuckles and sausages. The vingery taste of the sauerkraut cuts the oiliness in them. Though it is supposed to be sourish, but the taste is not too strong until it is stinging. In fact, the taste is rather mellow and nicely balanced.

Before the count down, we also witnessed an unexpected surprise. Someone proposed on stage. See pictures below. He got the band to invite them onto the stage on the pretext that they wanted to do a duet.

Then once up there, the guy suddenly went down on his knees...

It was quite interesting to witness a proposal. I have never seen one before. The crowd were cheering like mad for him. The sound was so deafening that we almost couldn't hear him pop the question. His girlfriend looked quite embarrassed, but I am guessing that she will never forget that day.

After kneeing for like half-a-day and asking the question once, the nervous guy realised that he forgot to take out his ring... Haha. Hmmm, I was wondering why the girlfriend did not smile... Haha.

Like in the movies, the girlfriend was so touched that she cried. She could not even mumbled out a yes and could only nob her head. So romantic... Congratulations to them and here's wishing them love and happiness always !!!

Soon after the romantic episode, it was time for countdown! The band sang the song - "Final Countdown" to usher in the New Year! Strangly, my friends and I copied what others did there - raising our beer mug and shouted "Yum Seng" in true Singapore style for blessing and good luck!

I hope it is not too late, but here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year and may you all have a joyful and lucky year ahead!!!

For more information on Paulaners, visit their website at :

http://www.paulaner.com.sg/

Girls Night Out - 逛夜店街

以下人物的名字都不是真的以保护她们的身份。。。

前晚下班后，我和同事们-Oreo与Isabel到Clark Quay 开眼界。 对此行， 我们三人有如乡巴佬进城般的紧张和兴奋。我因为上次和朋友到那里去玩过，所以就充当导游带两位“单纯”姐姐们去玩。好笑的是我这半桶水竟然只知道那些Pub 和 Bar在那里，却不会从地铁站走去那里。最后还得劳驾Oreo带路。

一到了那里，显然的我们几个开始感到不自在。可能是人数单薄，加上衣冠不符合夜店街的标准 - 几乎全部的人都打扮得非常时髦， 不是闪闪的名牌衣服，就是抹上时下最流行的装。我们穿着端庄的上班服， 有点像老师在Pub做突击检查，寻找失踪的坏学生一样，非常的格格不入。

我先带着姐姐们先绕了绕夜店街一圈，边走边介绍那些著名的夜店。 尤其到了Clinic外头，我们便开始讨论那里的设计。 虽然没有想在那里喝东西，但迷信的依思贝拉看到了轮椅改装的座位和看似停尸间的装璜，频频摇头，要我们赶快走掉免得占上秽气。

走着走着，我们的自信心也开始下降，竟然有点自卑起来。我们本来很想到其中几家时髦的夜店玩，但却被看起来很势利的保镖们吓着了。尤其到了MOS外头，我们被那势利的气氛搞到很尴尬，决定还是别进去的好。但是我们的奇装异服，想必已引起一些人的注意。于是，Isebel灵机一动，马上大声的说：(叫我, 还随便帮我取了个英文名字)“ANITA， 你怎么会忘了车子停在那里呢？是不是停在外边？快走，我们去拿车。。。” 我们三人便装着若无其事般的慢慢走掉。

最后在决定要放弃或是勇敢的进去其中一间店时，我们看到了一些穿着工作服的女人从BARFLY走出来。 我们当时仿佛看到了希望，马上鼓起勇气向前寻问是否有座位。原以为我们会遭到冷眼，想不到那女接待员只是问了我们是吃饭还是喝东西而已，便让我们上去。 我们三人终于找到落脚之地。

那里气氛不错，水酒的价钱也挺大众化的。 在某时段还有来自拉丁美洲的LIVE BAND表演。 每天的6点到10点半，Martini 还one for one, $10。

Isebel的Blue Lagoon
她非常开心， 因为终于找到不像咳嗽药水的饮料了...

我的Fizzy Navel
非常浓郁的果香, 以基本的橙汁加上Vodlka. 味道不错，可惜小杯了点...



Oreo的Planters' Punch
那手不是我们的...

便宜又好喝的Chocolate Martini
Don't know whether it is shaken or stired, it tasted like Alcoholic Iced Milo. 好好喝噢!

最后我们三人开开心心(可能受酒精影响)安全回家。 :)

One Night @ Clarke Quay

Part two of the night was more interesting. I never know Singapore can be that rowdy and interesting. There were a lot pubs and restaurants along the sides of Singapore river. Each has their own attractions like exotic cuisine, live bands, themed pubs. Loud techno-music can be heard along the street.

Although, it is almost like 11 pm when we reached there. There were still a lot of people, walking around, chatting, drinking and of course smoking (outside). I managed to take a few pictures of those interesting pubs and they don’t come easy. A lot of them, which I did not manage to take, have very fierce looking bouncers guarding. (Funny, how come security guards at shopping centres are never as intimidating as them…)


First we see Hooters. I didn't manage to see the Hooters girls, but I read somewhere that they are dressed in shorts (very very short shorts) and skimpy tank top. The menu is printed on the tanks top near their chest. They move around in skates or something. Is it really so?

Fashion Bar - I guess this is where to see and be seen. The decor is very chic and reminds me of an Armani dress. A place where I imagine Ugly Betty's Amanda and Marc will hang out after work.



Not that there is a sickbay or 24-hour clinic at Clarke Quay. This is the most talk about clinic pub! Drinks are served in packets of drips hanged high and you will have to suck them from a long tube. Hospital screens separate one table from another. Seats modified from hospital bed look comfortable enough. I hope all of the equipments are new and have been sterilised. I think it should be the place to hang out at the moment judging by the number of people they have.



Almost all of the pubs are unique except the Middle-East theme ones. All of them have these water-pipe apparatus outside their place. I tell you, they are tourist attractors. We happen to sit outside next to a Turkish restaurant (see my next entries on where we settled finally...).

A couple next to our table ordered a puff. The Turkish looking waiter came back with the favoured tobacco and placed it on the apparatus. The top was wrapped with aluminium foil. He poked it with a strange looking tongs that has an ice picker attached to it. Then he placed small pieces of red-hot charcoal on top of the aluminium. Done.

It is not very hygienic. Although, they will provide individual wrapped plastic disposable mouthpiece, the head was not cleaned or sterilised for the next user. It was left on the floor and the plastic mouthpiece from the previous user was still attached to it. However, the young couple (look Singaporean to me) was happily puffing away after replacing the mouthpiece.

The smell of the waterpipe was nicer than cigarettes. It is a bit similar to sandalwood - sweet and musky. Anyway, it is as potent as cigarettes. I had a headache after sitting next to them for almost one hour.



While chatting away, the music at the Turkish restaurant became louder. Out came a sexy belly dancer swaying her hips. The dancer is quite professional. Despite the strenuous dance movements, she maintain her bright smile. Picture below was showing her trying to balance her sword while swaying her hips. The music played is hot. Should be good for gym session.



Of course, there are many more interesting places that I have not managed to take picture. For example, the legendary Ministry of Sound (MOS) that queue and crowds never seems to end. The other place where the queue is equally long is .... the Taxi stand.

MY GOD...