Until recently, the Tippling Club’s cocktail-dining adventure has only really been available to those with deep pockets; tasting menus start around the $150 mark. Then, along came this entry-level option: a low-key open-air deck and bespoke cocktail list paired with a bar-snack menu, with prices less dizzying than the ones inside the restaurant. The menu changes every month and never disappoints.
‘It’s a registered trademark [and] this is the only place in the world to have it,’ said chef Ryan Clift. The Juniper Sling – a concoction conceived to celebrate the launch of English perfume house Penhaligon’s scent of the same name – closely replicates Penhaligon’s latest smell. Served in the original Penhaligon’s bottles and only in Singapore, it’s made with (or without) gin and solutions enhanced with juniper, brown sugar, wild cherry, green cardamom, angelica, black pepper and, get this, leather. It took Clift four months to perfect this drinkable version that took the top, middle and bottom notes of the perfume, so naturally it’ll stay on the menu. A dessert to go with it is in the works.
Juniper Sling $24 (without alcohol $14); cocktails from $15++; bar snacks from $6++.
Transport
Nearby Stations: Take a taxi
Bus Lines: 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174
Telephone 6475 2217
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Clearly the stand out bar in Singapore and possibly south-east asia. Always ahead of the game in terms of drinks and food. Worth checking out if you want to try things that not only taste incredible but are usually an interactive experience that you wont forget.
Posted on Tue 13 Dec 2011 17:08:59
With the numerous comments about the OK quality of food and VERY expensive drinks... There's no way I'm going there, even if I've never been there. Thank you all for warning me
Posted on Thu 01 Dec 2011 15:49:19
Is there another bar in Singapore where you can get a smokey whisky that comes with real smoke? Where you can name your favourite rare rum, find they have it, and receive a novel suggestion for its consumption?
I know it's expensive - if you're aiming for a cheap night out don't head here. And if you just go there and order a Jack Daniels and Coke, prepare to be disappointed - there's not much that can save you. But if you're willing to splurge, then this place could be your best drinking experience ever in Singapore.
Posted on Wed 13 Oct 2010 21:17:38
Upon seeing the good reviews... tv ads and watever there is. 4 of us went to his place for dinner and were prepared to splurge. But upon seeing the menu, there are no a la carte, only four types of courses/ sets. since nobody filled in the pricing. let me fill it up for u guys. Five courses is 145++ which consists mainly of greens and no drinks, 240++ with pairing meaning each course comes with its specialized drinks. another set is 230++ which consist of 9 courses with no pairing, 380++ with pairing. And be warned that this is only for 1 person. We order 2 sets of 145++ and 1 set of 230++, we requested to share the 230++ because it was 8 courses and dont think 1 person can finish it all. But they do not respect us and insisted that it was not allowed. I thought dining experiences are supposed to cater to customer's needs? Plus we are there to try the food and not crawling in with starvation. We ended it by just walking out of the place. They could have easily earned $700 out of 4 people but they chose not to earn any by turning down a simple request to simply share 1 set. I will not return again
Posted on Sun 04 Jul 2010 20:39:24
I think the reviewer calling it the Rip-Off Club hit the nail on the head - we were there last night - ordered 2 Pisco Sours at 35 bucks a piece that we thought was steep but I love Pisco Sours and was prepared to pay - when the bill for 128 bucks came - 64 bucks a drink we balked - are they kidding??? The drink dominated by a very large block of ice that consumed the bulk of the volume of the glass was frankly mediocre - how do I know - 5 years of living in Lima Peru, the capital of Pisco Sours gives one some perspective...at 35 bucks it was a ridiculous price (at that price the ice cube was worth 20 bucks) - at 64 (an input error it was claimed) it was insulting - we left 50 bucks for the drinks, far more than the drinks were worth, and left. I have to conclude it is a bunch of new expats in Singapore thinking the locals and long term residents have more money than sense - I think they will find out that's not the case - I give them a year at most before word get's around and all they get is the unsuspecting tourist. I feel sorry for the tourist...
Posted on Sun 24 May 2009 10:42:26
Clearly the Time Out reviewers want to be friends. Some of the food is very nice. Still more creative than good. Buy a dehydration machine and then remove water from any ingredients and then apply it over and over again. Sooo creative... And the staff, faithfully memorising long stories about the food and then terrorising the customers for every dish. Annoying. All of the drinks are very sweet and not suited for dinner. And the key problem is the price. At half price what they are asking - maybe it would be a decent place.
Posted on Tue 03 Mar 2009 14:43:02
By far the best culinary experience of my life. This easily beats Cliff restaurant and destroys Il Lido. We recently had our honeymoon in Singapore and did all the fine dining restaurants. Ryan the Chef found out it was our honeymoon and laid it on beautifully. This restaurant and the service is world-beating. Much better than the over-rated Tetsuya's, and a touch above the amazing Claude's in Sydney. Do yourself a favour and treat your loved one to an amazing culinary adventure. Not to mention the creativity of both the food and the cocktails. Not a rip-off at all. Just appropriately pricing a meal you will never forget. Thanks to Ryan to a very special meal to top off a great honeymoon.
Posted on Sat 14 Feb 2009 10:28:39
I have no idea what the previous good reviews were about as this place should be renamed the Rip Off club. While a nice idea - pairing with tapas and cocktails, it does not make up for the abominably high prices, tiny portions and overall no value for money. Overpriced and underdelivers - you have been warned!
Posted on Tue 09 Dec 2008 13:06:10
Tippling Club is simply just amazing although it's already getting hard to get a seat on weekends. I've been 4 times now but the last two times we had to wait for a seat. The best bar in Singapore perhaps Asia at the moment. A must for drink fans !
Posted on Wed 26 Nov 2008 09:07:51
I dined at the restaurant on during it's opening week and was quite astounded at the "whole package" on offer to you the diner. The food was to die for, the cocktail match - heavenly and the service and ambience really special.....coming from Europe where fine dining has such high expectations, ours were truly beaten! Well done Tippling club, we're looking forward to returning to Singapore and to the restuarant in the Spring of '09. ps - I thought that the Chef du Patron was English???? Go eat and experience the Tippling Club!!!
Posted on Mon 17 Nov 2008 21:58:48
this has to be one of the most "unreal" experience i've ever had - in a good way. i just had lunch at $29++ each with my colleague there for a 2 courses & 1 glass of wine set. 1st impression was well set by the serving crew who stroked our interest whilst waiting for a cab to leave the area (after visiting HOUSE) to actually walking into the white building. we didnt know what to expect at first, but were pleasantly surprised by the spacious, different & open dining concept. for me, "cosy" was the 1st word that came into my mind. the atmosphere there was very personalised, friendly and attentive. i'll count this as one of the most impressive service encounters i've ever had. the chef/serving crew appeared very well-trained in the service and understanding of the food & wine. the australian chef was young & a "genius", as a fellow diner (an australian chef & food writer, Brandon) puts it. the food's imaginative, one can tell there's alot of thought, creativity & heart put to it. we even got a free ice-cream dessert! my take? tippling club's a worthy try. at lunch, at least, where there's lesser people & more attention can be given.
Posted on Thu 13 Nov 2008 14:41:54
I'm in the industry ( a chef actually!) and I had lunch last week which was just $29 so I actually found it VERY cheap. The food was a amazing and my wine match was spot on.I'm keen to try it with dinner and cocktails as I've heard great things from other industry folk.
Posted on Thu 13 Nov 2008 07:07:42
What I paid is not what I got... Extremely expensive! and is it that good? no! not even see any extraordinary product, I guess their food cost must be very low! I feel like I'm cheated...
Posted on Tue 11 Nov 2008 08:44:58
Jeremy and Jenny - you both say "dining experience" which is a bit of a trade term. You dont both work there or in PR do you?
Posted on Sun 09 Nov 2008 19:59:33
Refreshing,thrilling and probably the best dining experience I've had in Singapore.Highly recommended.
Posted on Sun 09 Nov 2008 13:28:21
Had an amazing night at Tippling Club. A very unique and exciting dining experience with mind blowing food and drink pairings. Pricing was ok for the quality. I've paid much more in Singapore but I've never had so much fun at in a restaurant.
Posted on Sat 08 Nov 2008 05:10:47
I never thought i'd go to a place called tippling club and sit without an alcoholic drink (or offer of a drinks list) for 40 minutes, as we waited for our dining companions. This place left me cold - both in terms of some of the food served and due to blinkin' freezing aircon.
Posted on Sun 05 Oct 2008 12:22:15
Tippling Club is a new entry in the chart of the most expensive restaurants in Singapore and appears highly influenced by Heston Blumenthal's off-the-wall style of cooking at The Fat Duck in the UK. There is a choice of 3 menus - 5 courses at $195, 10 courses at $310 or 15 courses at $420. Each plus 10% service and plus GST (you would usually assume that GST was included in the price shown – these ++ extras are not indicated on the menu). Each course includes a cocktail or wine tipple. So dinner for 4 will cost you $918 on the 5 course menu. There are only 3 tables, everyone else sits at the bar on high stools – I am really not sure about this for anyone except couples. Groups of 4 would need to be at one of the two corners of the bar. So is the food any good? Course 1 – Pizza – essentially curry puffs of pizza were quite cold and lacked any intensity of flavour. The accompanying cocktail included Campari, Vermouth and an orange lollypop which we enjoyed. Course 2 – KFC chicken with BBQ crisps on a spike. Chicken was quite fatty, crisps were quite oily and the spike reminded us all of the Joker’s “I can make this pencil disappear” trick in Dark Knight, the accompanying cocktail was the best bit and tasted of lemon meringue pie. Course 3 – scallops wrapped in potato lattice – best of the meal. Delicious and accompanied with white wine. Course 4 – Wagyu beef (Yawn! What did restaurateurs used to talk about before we started to see this everywhere?) in beetroot ravioli with beetroot mash and beetroot something else. Good but not amazing. Well matched with Malbec wine. Course 5 – curry chocolate mousse with ice cream with fruity bubbles blown over it. Interesting but only ok. Another interesting cocktail accompanied. I would really question the business sense of opening this restaurant in Singapore as it is – well beyond the reach of most wallets - even the banker we dined with winced at the prices. (The credit crunch is a great leveller) Those who still have expense accounts that will stretch this far will probably not be enticed by entertaining clients at the bar where talking between a group is difficult. Nor do restaurants hidden away in Dempsey see as much expense account action being away from the CBD and hotels. Come to think of it, this might be one of the few reviews that you read as most magazines’ reviewers will not have budget to properly review Tippling Club if they go anonymously and pay. (Which is the only way a review counts). True foodies should go but go quick, I really doubt it will be there for very long.
Posted on Sun 05 Oct 2008 11:24:56