Tasting Whisky Cocktails at Atlas Bar in Singapore

Singapore may not be known as a whisky country, but when it comes to cocktails, it’s a treasure trove. The city is home to numerous bars that rank among Asia’s finest. One standout is Atlas Bar, where our senses were delightfully tantalized.

Located near Little India and a massive shopping center, this remarkable building stands out among towering skyscrapers. Approaching it feels almost cinematic, like stepping onto the set of a Batman movie or walking past the famous 20th Century Fox spotlight.

A colossal silver sphere supported by four Atlases greets visitors at the entrance, a fitting symbol for the bar’s name and a mere glimpse of the grandeur awaiting inside.

As we step inside the bar, stylish jazz-like tunes float in the air. The Atlas Bar isn't just a treat for the ears; it's a full sensory indulgence with its striking interior design.

Even before a cocktail touches your lips, the space impresses with its soaring ceilings, lavish gold accents, and unmistakable 1920s art deco aesthetic. It feels like walking into a living poster from the era.

Soft, dim lighting enhances the atmosphere, while the bar’s layout offers sweeping views including its signature showpiece: a towering, three-story structure brimming with bottles.

While still soaking in the lavish surroundings, we are welcomed by Nicholas Alexander, General Manager of Atlas Bar. Alexander has reserved a spot for us and readily shares the bar's colorful history.

The bar originally opened as a wine bar and became famous for its three-story wine cooler, where so-called 'wine fairies' would glide on pulleys to retrieve bottles.

After closing for several years, it was transformed by Vicky Hwang, granddaughter of the original owner, into the luxurious cocktail haven it is today, complete with its signature gin tower (though whisky lovers will also find treasures here).

During the renovation, Alexander shares, the wine fairies were phased out, although the large pulley they once dangled from is visibly intact. The decision was made to rename the tower as a gin tower, although there's also a smattering of whisky within its array.

Though the tower mainly showcases gin, whisky fans won’t be disappointed. At its base lies a stunning selection, including a complete The Macallan collection dating back to 1956 and rare Japanese gems from the Karuizawa Distillery. These are vintage bottles that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere, yet available to order here.

These bottles are readily available on the menu for ordering. Although not strictly a whisky bar, there's certainly plenty to explore in terms of this divine spirit. Furthermore, a diverse array of exotic cocktails can be found on the menu.

The cocktail list theme is La Gazette du Bon Ton (the art of good taste), a pivotal fashion magazine in the 1920s. Several distinctive cocktails are available, four of which we sample: the Old Fashioned, a Whisky Sour, Grand Veranda, and the Midnight in Ruins.

The Midnight in Ruins cocktail is a spirit-forward concoction made with Rye whiskey, sour cherry-infused port, Italian bitter liqueur, and grappa.

As the cocktails are served, our senses are once again pleasantly tantalized. Each cocktail boasts exquisite presentation, making it hard to resist diving right in.

However, we decide to pause for a moment, soaking in the cocktails in their full glory. As we take our first sips, the charming surprises just keep coming.

The ambiance in the bar, the music, the lighting, all harmonize to elevate this experience even further. It's easy to understand how this bar ranks among the top 50 best bars in Asia.

Fully satiated in all our senses, we make one final stop to the ‘stage’ after concluding the cocktails, providing a splendid overview of the bar that we wanted to take in one last time before continuing our journey.

Thank you for the invite, Atlas.