These days, new cocktail bars aren’t exactly revolutionary or anything to shout about. Unless they’ve got an award-winning bartender fronting the counters or accolades pegged to their name, some have quietly opened all while maintaining their entirely under-the-radar status. Patina Bar is one such bar that's opened their doors along East Coast Road, with well-established eateries next door like Beach Road Prawn Noodles and The Bullion Hawker Bar.
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As we all know, first impressions matter greatly, and Patina Bar did a standout job. It’s not exactly a hush-hush atmosphere but it’s still intimate – a casual neighbourhood bar where you won’t feel out of place clad in a worn-in tee despite having a curated cocktail lineup.
The two behind this place, bartender Rajesh and chef Santrey, have intentionally done Patina Bar up as such. It’s all based on the Old World era aka “the birth of the cocktail era” – all made noticeable through the drinks and decor alike. Part of its charm is also due to its Katong influence, since both Rajesh and Santrey grew up in the Katong neighbourhood.
It was like coming full circle.
As Rajesh says, “It was like coming full circle. We wanted to be different by being around a vibrant residential area such as Katong”. He also compared this heritage neighbourhood to a Singaporean version of Miami – it might seem far-fetched, but undeniable in that they’re both beachside towns with a heady food and drink culture.
Rajesh is also keen on experimenting with art, and is entirely behind the wall-to-ceiling murals of Patina Bar. He has a “fascination for anything age-related, as well as death and rebirth”. Introspective, perhaps, but Rajesh has completely transformed a blank slate of a shophouse into what feels like like a friend’s homey living room – one with superior interior design taste. As he describes it, it got him “involved into a world of painting people’s palates with flavours”.
The cocktail menu is concise, separating the cheekily-named “lightweights” from the signature drinks. The Mouthful of Honey ($23) is interesting, in that it’s a melon-infused vodka that’s mixed up with coconut milk, honey, and citrus. Or the Basic B*tch Spritz ($25) for their take on an Aperol Spritz, but with cava instead of prosecco.
Discovering the cocktail itself was an ongoing journey
If you were to try one cocktail, go with The Nomad ($25): it’s Rajesh’s personal favourite, with a splash of whisky and a unique mix of dates, banana, and jackfruit. In using tropical fruits, this is entirely representative of the bar’s local heritage – while exploring a unique mix of flavours. It’s appropriately named in that “discovering the cocktail itself was an ongoing journey”. But you can order up a bespoke cocktail too, choosing a desired base spirit and if you’d prefer it more light and refreshing (additional $3) or spirit-heavy (additional $6).
Patina Bar serves up bar bites as well. Co-founder Santrey leads the food menu, and was heavily inspired by the flavours of Katong – made apparent from Annie’s Epok-Epok ($11), Truffle Angus Sambal Burger ($22), and Chiky Sataykori ($14), their own take on chicken satay.
They will also soon be launching their first bi-monthly artist market on June 26, a pop-up event with flash tattoos, dream interpretation sessions, and flower arrangement workshops. There’ll even be handmade leather goods and Indonesian artisanal cheese to browse through – all with one of Patina Bar’s signature cocktails in hand.
You can find Patina Bar at 378 East Coast Road, S428985.
