There’s no missing 1939's facade along the streets of Keong Saik – keep an eye out for a captivating red-and-white structure gracefully following the curve of the road, and you will have reached your destination.
First opened in 2014 as Potato Head, 1939 is a multi-concept lifestyle venue consisting of a restaurant, a speakeasy-style cocktail studio, and a rooftop bar. Stepping in, you'll see the familiar winding checkered staircase decorated with vintage knick-knacks and the same vibrant hand-painted murals by Australian artist David Bromley.
The new food menu intentionally incorporates more local flavours, while retaining the appeal of the previous menu. That said, we asked, and the team confirmed that the famous Potato Head Three Buns burgers – such as the popular Fun Boy Three ($25) – will remain available.
In the drinks department, 1939 reimagines its cocktail menu into three venue-specific sections: The Restaurant, Studio 1939, and The Rooftop. In a bid to offer more familiar options to guests who prefer the standard tipple without any embellishments, a series of six classic cocktails are now available under The Restaurant section. These include the old-fashioned, negroni, espresso martini, whiskey sour and more ($25 each).
Inside the third-floor bar Studio 1939, plush Chesterfield sofas, vintage rattan furnishings, and wooden flooring lend easy, effortless style to the dimly lit, high-ceilinged room, and the semi-circular marble bar gives a sense of both space and intimacy. You’ll notice a ‘BPM’ label next to every drink – a fun way of denoting ABV or alcohol strength, while paying homage to 1939’s music-centered culture. Side note: stop by on weekends to join in one of 1939’s weekly DJ sessions.
And if you prefer to enjoy your cocktails in a more laidback, alfresco setting, shimmy up to The Rooftop for a line-up of more tropical-inspired drinks, including two rum-based options.