Having reopened in September to much fanfare, The St. Regis Bar Singapore features a striking birdcage-inspired back bar and a palette of deep reds, lush greens, and rich ebony that evoke early 20th-century Manhattan through a contemporary lens.
Leading the mixology programme since the reopening, Head Bartender Kelvin Saquilayan aims to make the bar a sanctuary where guests can leave the outside world behind.
“Whether celebrating a special milestone, catching up with friends, entertaining clients, or unwinding with a quiet drink after work, we want each guest to feel as though they have arrived at a second home. Through thoughtful service and sincere engagement, we strive to leave guests with lasting memories that endure long after their final sip,” he says.
From the Time After Time menu, which maps five defining decades onto New York and Singapore’s dual identities, he recommends New York or Nowhere and DOF.01.
New York or Nowhere draws in on the mezcal margarita and the legendary Katz’s Delicatessen’s pastrami sandwich. Saquilayan infuses beef pastrami and pickles to create a smoky, umami-driven cocktail that captures the essence of the iconic sandwich in liquid form. “It reflects the spirit of New York while showcasing how food can inspire cocktail creations,” he says.
DOF.01 has a special place in his heart. Originally named The Heritage, the cocktail won Saquilayan the Singapore championship for the 2024 Woodford Reserve Wonderful Race Award, which honours the Old Fashioned and encourages innovation in modern cocktail making.
To reflect Saquilayan’s journey between two homes—the Philippines, where he was born, and Singapore, where he built his career—he renamed it DOF.01.
“In this cocktail, I combine flavours inspired by adobo, my favourite Filipino dish, known for its distinctive combination of soya sauce and vinegar. To recreate those savoury, tangy notes, I add balsamic vinegar and sherry. The Singaporean influence comes from the flavour of bak kwa, one of my favourite snacks since moving here.”
Still not ready to leave? You must also order The Straits Mary, the bar’s local take on the St. Regis’ signature Bloody Mary. A toast to Singapore’s centuries-old maritime legacy, it is inspired by the nation’s history as a global spice hub.
The complex, deconstructed cocktail combines bak kwa-infused bourbon, gochujang, and aromatic spices to deliver layers of savoury depth. A light celery foam finishes the drink, adding freshness and a subtle herbal lift to balance the richness of the other flavours.
The bar also offers a Golden Hour daily from 5pm to 8pm for those looking to ease into the evening. Classic cocktails, such as Basil Smash, Gold Rush, and Mexican Firing Squad, are available alongside house wines, beers, and prosecco. Cheers!
