Sometimes all one needs in life is a glass of something delish, a stunning view, and good company. Thank you, sis, for being part of my shenanigans, always.
I had been thumbing through interesting places to visit in Singapore when I chanced upon The Dead Poets Society online, a bar offering handcrafted cocktails with literary notes and stunning cityline views. That was enough for us to make the trip down. This period of transition had been intense, and I am grateful for this momentary respite.
The Concept
The Dead Poets Society is a bar built on a love letter to English literature, and every cocktail on the menu is concocted with a story behind it. I have yet to watch the film the bar’s name is titled upon, but I appreciated how faithfully that inspiration carried through into the drinks themselves. Expect signature cocktails inspired by tales both classic and contemporary, each one poured with its own small narrative to tell.
The Ambience
Ensconced in a comfortable corner of the bar, I took my time to marvel at the interior and the view beyond it. The bar is located on the 60th storey of UOB Plaza One, right next to Sichuan Douhua Restaurant, and the skyline from up top is spectacular. Right in the heart of Singapore, skyscrapers and office towers dotted the horizon, though the haze that evening hindered the furthest edges of the view.
For a Saturday evening, the crowd was pleasantly sparse, and honestly, there was nothing to complain about. The setting felt intimate and cosy. Soft background music and warm, low lighting made it a place for quiet evening rather than loud celebration.
The Drinks
I had A Garden, Briefly, a floral martini infused with gin, jasmine tea, sakura sake, and elderflower. Inspired by The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng, it arrived pale and fragrant with little petals, sweet on the first sip and a lingering floral finish. I have, I supposed, found my next book to read because of it.
Meanwhile, my sister opted for a freshly brewed espresso martini built on a vodka base, which was rich and bittersweet.
To go with the drinks, we ordered the la zi ji diced chicken and the crispy baby squid drizzled in honey sauce, both served fresh from the restaurant next door. The chicken was crispy and didn’t carry the numbing spice one might have imagined from its name. The squid struck a satisfying balance between crisp, too, and sticky sweet. Together they made well-matched pairing for the cocktails.
Who knew Sichuan food could go along so well with alcohol?
We did not stay long that night, as another engagement was waiting, but this visit had definitely called for another. Between the view, the drinks, and the stories poured into every glass, The Dead Poets Society has earned a spot on my list of favourite evenings.
Prices
Our drinks were priced at S$24.00 each, for full menu:
This time, we opted something from the menu. For those who are looking for specialty drinks, speak to the friendly bartender for off-menu mixes.
How to Get There
Chuān @ The Sixtieth, The Dead Poets Society
UOB Plaza 1, 80 Raffles Place #60-01, Singapore 048624
The directions can be a little confusing, so here’s the tip: take the escalator up to level two, then take the first set of lifts to floor 38 before switching lifts to reach floor 60.
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