Rooftop bars aren’t a rare find in skyscraper-dense Singapore, but Smoke & Mirrors has long been a favourite for good reason – the bar is perched atop the National Gallery with unobstructed views of the city, and has a unique cocktail menu influenced by artistic themes. Come March 15 however, it will be shutting its doors after nine years.
Earlier this month, Smoke & Mirrors took to Instagram to announce its upcoming closure and reminisce about highlights over the years, including the annual F1 night race and the occasional National Day Parade that takes place at the Padang. It also mentions in the video that this isn’t goodbye, hinting at something new is in the works – perhaps a new location or a rebrand?
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While you keep those guesses coming, if you haven’t paid a visit to this destination cocktail bar in a while, this is your last chance to do so. After all, it was named among Time Out’s annual list of the best rooftop bars in the world just last year.
Indeed, a big part of the bar’s popularity has to do with its location. Sunset is the best time to visit, as you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the Padang, Victoria Concert Hall, the civic district, and Marina Bay Sands in the background. A seat along the balcony also guarantees you a romantic night out. But that’s not all. The building has a 200-year-old history where it once served as Singapore’s City Hall. Now, it houses over 8,000 artworks and is the largest art gallery in the country.
Smoke & Mirrors also has one of the most unique cocktail programmes around, inspired by art as a nod to its location. Previous editions of its signature menu The Real Art of Drinking featured drinks named after famous artists and even some modelled after artworks in the Gallery. The current menu sees 12 cocktails inspired by the vivid colours on a painter’s palette. The SambAlemak ($34) for instance, represents the colour vermillion, and has a spicy profile thanks to the addition of sambal liqueur.
Find out more about Smoke & Mirrors and make a reservation here.
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