PARCHED | GIN GENIE

Mythical Titan Atlas had the arduous task of carrying the celestial planets on his shoulders. Gargantuan Atlas bar in Singapore has the more enviable task of carrying – possibly – the largest collection of gins known to mankind. Here’s what else you should know.

• We hate to trade in superlatives, but Atlas bar is swanky beyond belief. Parked inside the Gotham building (Parkview Square), the grand European interior is the most astute celebration of Art Deco style. Leave your passport behind, in here you’re really somewhere else now.

• Champagnes and martinis loom large here. A noted regular or VIP might be welcomed with a glass of champagne.

• The wine angels have been retired. (The previous bar used to hoist ‘angels’ to get wine bottles from hard-to-reach shelves). But after 12 years, owner Vicky Hwang admits “it was a bit gimmicky.” The staff will still get lifted nowadays for it, but only after hours.

atlas bar 3

• The bar has the largest collection of gins in the world. At last mention, it was 1,110 different bottles and counting. They won’t come right out and own it, but last we checked, yeah, it’s the biggest. The guide to the gin collection is still being written, and it’s already 60 pages long and doesn’t even include tasting notes.

• The gin tower is three storeys tall. The curated gins include 1910 London Dry gins, Japan’s Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin, Belgium’s Forest Dry Gin and Gin La República – Andina – distilled 4,000 metres above sea level. (It’s probably on the highest shelf in the tower, geddit…)

atlas bar 4 martinis

A classic dry martini with Slingsby Gin and Mancino Vermouth.

• You can order a Negroni for S$200. You can also not order a Negroni for $200, in this case we recommend the Martinis. A dry one, and focus on the gin, natch. Speak to Head Bartender Roman Foltan about your choice of gin.

• Atlas has a champagne sommelier Mason Ng, who knows more brands and labels than you knew existed. Trust his taste, as the bar has a peerless, sophisticated champagne collection as well. In cocktails requiring bubbly, only champagne is used, not cava, not prosecco. Champagne.

atlas bar shipwreck champagne

• This is Charles Heidsieck and Co. champagne, though you can’t tell, as it had been sitting in the ocean bed for 75 years, perfectly preserved by the cold and pressure – and salvaged in 1997. This is from the private collection of George Wong, executive chairman of the Parkview group. A bottle will set you back $DontAsk.

atlas bar food

Order: Galicia mini scallops, sea garden, clear gazpacho jelly ($26)

• You can dine here, or just have a delectable selection of gourmet bar bites. Food is served all morning through to the night. Chef Daniele Sperindio and his team presents food that’s artful and modern, with clever twists (fizzy grapes x Irish oysters) and ingredients. (There is a more grounded Homemade salt and Vinegar crisps with
Deep fried whitebait for $15 as well.)

atlas bar cocktail tutankhamen