Of Manhattan’s many menu changes over the years — New York Personified, drinking eras, Harlem — the latest, Broadway, seems like the most fun yet. From the menu design to the presentation, each star-studded cocktail pays homage to the theatre district and a selection of musicals we’ve come to love. While some musicals or Broadway productions might be a bit obscure, the serendipity comes when you discover a cocktail and garnish that just nails it. Case in point:

The Majestic: a tribute to the Majestic Theatre that has hosted the Phantom of the Opera, this is with Mancino Vecchio, Bols Genever, Mr Black Amaro, Amontillado Sherry, Black Cardamom and Balsamic Reduction.

That mask garnish! (White chocolate, since you asked.)

Manhattan’s previous menu concepts revolved around districts, eras and people. Broadway has appeared in one form or another in previous Manhattan menus since the bar’s inception nine years ago, but now it has the spotlight all to itself. Broadway Spirited showcases 34 cocktails in five categories encompassing the whole theatre experience: The Play, The Orchestra, The Backstage, The Curtain Call, and not forgetting Off Broadway.

From ‘Curtain Call’, icons that are making their returns, each with rebooted twists:

The Flat Iron: From the very first Distrcts of New York menu, with Macallan 12 years old, Maker’s Mark Private Select, Mozart Dark Chocolate, Drambuie and Chartreuse Noix.

From ‘The Play’, a selection of new original cocktails, each inspired by a Broadway show:

Land of Lola: Inspired by Kinky Boots, with Cascara-infused Codigo Blanco, Rinomato Scuro, House Fermented Strawberry Wine, Akashi-Tai Junmai Daiginjo Sake, London Essence White Peach and Jasmine Soda.

Anagram: A nod to Kimberly Akimbo, with Pineapple-infused Michter’s Rye, Coconut Oil Washed Martell Noblige, Empirical Spirits Ayuuk, Pina Colada Whey, Absinthe and Peychaud’s Bitters.

The Orchestra pays tribute to the cocktails created by the Friends of Manhattan series, where luminary bartenders worldwide have delivered memorable stints behind the Manhattan bar. These cocktails are testimony to long-lasting friendships from the likes of Shingo Gokan (SG Club), Giacomo Giannotti (Paradiso), Matteo Zed (The Court) and Filippo Faedda (Salmon Guru).

The Backstage features barrel-aged cocktails from their rickhouse, and Off Broadway has a quartet of zero-proof cocktails that are also winners. The concept is inspired and thoroughly researched; the menu reads like a playbill and is a beautiful book to behold. Next year, the bar will celebrate its 10th, and we can’t wait to see its next surprising premiere.

Manhattan Bar, Level 2, Conrad Singapore Orchard.

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