As an award-winning destination in one of the world’s finest, most elegant hotels – The St. Regis Singapore – and offering distinguished guests the unparalleled service, luxury and refined traditions synonymous with the legendary St. Regis brand, the signature watering hole, Astor Bar is, as you would expect, no “ordinary” bar.
Named after St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV, once through a magnificent double-storey high brass door on one side of The St. Regis Singapore rotunda, Astor Bar, like the five-star hotel itself, simply oozes class and refinement.
Located in downtown Singapore, Astor Bar is justifiably one of Singapore’s most esteemed bars – numerous accolades include the Best Bar Award, by Singapore Tatler in 2009 (repeated in 2010) and Best Things to Do – Bars, by Singapore Tatler in 2011. Astor Bar exudes an aura of refined elegance, where discerning, well-heeled guests – be they in-house or from outside – can unwind in an intimate yet sophisticated nighttime venue, for an irresistible entrée or conclusion to an evening out on the town, or a quick nightcap.
Many bar interiors come lavishly adorned with wood, leather and contemporary art pieces, but how many boast an original series of 10 Pablo Picasso lithographs, depicting the art of Spanish bullfighting – lining their rich dark wood walls, as the Astor Bar does?
A SPICY ST. REGIS TWIST
Astor Bar’s signature is cocktails, with over 50 cocktail selections – many drenched in history. Originally named the “Red Snapper,” the Bloody Mary cocktail was invented at the legendary King Cole Bar, The St. Regis New York, in 1934 – a classic cocktail imitated endlessly throughout the years, but the original recipe still standing as one of the most beloved cocktails ever created. An indelible part of the St. Regis experience, today the Bloody Mary remains the signature cocktail of the St. Regis brand, but with hotel destinations worldwide – from Bora Bora to Houston and indeed Singapore – crafting their own interpretations of the original recipe fused with their own local flavours as a fitting tribute to their timeless heritage.
Honouring this, the St. Regis brand created a special World Collection Bloody Mary Cocktail menu, which Astor Bar proudly presents. Following in the footsteps of the St. Regis flagship hotel in New York, The St. Regis Singapore has adopted its most famous cocktail, the Bloody Mary, but here, also highlighting its own unique local interpretation; a spicy concoction named Chili Padi Mary, an inventive signature recipe, voted Best Cocktail 2010 by Time Out Singapore, described as a “modern rendition of the original Bloody Mary” with a distinct spiciness that is not for the faint-hearted! With a nostalgic nod to timeless cocktails the world over, the Astor Bar also shakes and stirs such classics as Cosmopolitans, Martinis and Margaritas, with infusions of top-notch alcohol and spirits. There is also an extensive array of wines of exceptional vintages, carefully selected and originating from award-winning vineyards, both Old World and New World, plus one of the widest ranges of premium wines available by the glass in any Singapore Bar, courtesy of the state-of-the-art Enomatic system – the distinguished eight red and eight white wines served by the glass changing regularly. Astor Bar stocks prestigious vintage Champagnes and indulges aficionados with The St.Regis Champagne Ritual, a one-hour daily ritual from 6.30PM to 7.30PM, when guests enjoy a glass of house Champagne, ‘R’ de Ruinart Brut.
Whatever the tipple, it is of course served at its finest in crystal Esperienze glasses, the latest range from Italy’s acclaimed Accademia Luigi Bormioli and Venetian designer, Federico DeMajo. An epicurean selection of snacks from Kurobuta pork meatballs and Iberico ham to Wagyu beef burger are available throughout the day created by The St. Regis Singapore’s master chefs. Jazz is an innate, rich part of the St. Regis legacy and Astor Bar doesn’t disappoint – additionally renowned as a jazz bar. Don’t miss “Jazz in the City” daily from 6PM onwards, with live jazz tunes from celebrated performer and resident jazz pianist-singer, Ron Sinclair – further reaffirming that glorious St. Regis Singapore class act.
Chili Padi Mary
o 1 oz / 30 ml premium vodka
o 1 piece lemongrass, about 1 to 2cm thick
o 1 slice fresh ginger root (mature or old)
o 1/2 thinly sliced chilli padi, seeds removed
o 1/8 tsp / 5 ml sugar syrup
o 3 oz / 90 ml tomato juice
Method:
Muddle the vodka, lemongrass, ginger, chili padi and sugar syrup together.
Strain and pour into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Add tomato juice, stir and serve.
