After a long day of work at the office, it is time to hang up the suit and tie for a lovely evening of canapes, fine food and bespoke cocktails at DRINK Cocktail Bar Singapore! The cocktail bar is the latest brainchild of FOO’D by Davide Oldani, the latter of which was conceptualised by Italian celebrity Chef Davide Oldani, Chef-owner of the one-Michelin-starred D’O in Cornaredo, Italy. Besides great food and ambience, you will also be thrilled to know that you are looking at one of the few bars in Singapore where you can name your own bespoke cocktail!

DRINK Bar is where you can enjoy what is regarded as one of the most celebrated Italian traditions: aperitivo, a drink or light meal that takes place at the end of the workday before the official dinner. Every day from 6pm to 8pm, with any order of cocktails or selected wines, DRINK offers you and your company complimentary canapés specially curated by Chef Simone Depalmas, who oversees the Singapore outpost of FOO’D.

Located within the iconic Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, DRINK’s interior, with its high ceilings and Corinthian columns, is modern and sleek. The alcohol and wine bottles are also beautifully arrayed on glass shelves. Offering affordable alcoholic beverages in a classy and cosy environment, the bar is an ideal address for gatherings with friends, colleagues or loved ones after work.

The bar is helmed by award-winning mixologist Mike Cheong, who has won eight international and regional awards under his belt, including Asia’s Grand Champion in the 2015 La Maison Cointreau Cocktail Competition.

You must sample the new exquisite cocktails that are the original creations of Mike when you are at the bar, particularly Guilty As Charged (S$20). This eye-catching cocktail is one for the senses, starting with the cotton candy as a garnish to the smell of perfume emanating from the ribbons tied to the glass. It is impeccably balanced with sweetness, acidity and texture courtesy of the foam floating on the sea of pink liquid.

Another drink that demands your attention is the Give Me My Alimony (S$18), an invigorating drink with grapes as the marquee ingredient. The recipe calls for cachaça 51, lime, vanilla as well as freshly muddled cherries and grapes. The grapes go through a carbonation process that adds extra dimension and depth to the cocktail.

Last but not least, we have the Court Adjourned! (#letsgodrink) (S$18), a sparkly tour de force made with Gryphon’s award-winning Pearl of Orient tea. The drink is fruity with hints of melon and floral notes from the rose petals.

Keen to have a taste of Mike’s creativity? Spend S$100 on alcoholic beverages, and he will then concoct a complimentary bespoke cocktail that is named after you. Choose from your favourite spirit, and share with Mike your preferred flavour and texture.

Going Green

DRINK is a cocktail bar that believes in sustainability. It grows a medley of herbs such as rosemary, citronella, lemon balm, mint and basil in its garden, and the cocktail menu is planned around these existing ingredients. Doing so allows it to minimise its carbon footprint. In fact, every ingredient here is used to its fullest potential. For example, the citrus fruits are used in the cocktails, their zest for syrups and the remnants are turned into compost for the herb garden. The egg yolks are kept for use by the pastry kitchen, and the shells are also turned into compost.

Imbibe a fine selection of wines

Other than cocktails, folks who love wine will be able to meet one of Asia’s best sommeliers, Alan Au, a homegrown talent who has won many accolades. Alan is the inaugural winner of the 2016 Ruinart Challenge and was also awarded the 2016 Sommelier of the Year title by World Gourmet Summit. He is the only Singaporean to have achieved the Sommelier Diploma awarded by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. He has handpicked a selection of fine wines, all highly rated and priced from S$75++:

Sparkling Wine

• NV Fratelli Lunelli Ferrari Metodo Classico Maximum Brut, Trentino, Italy S$90++ (Exclusive to FOO’D and DRINK Cocktail Bar in Singapore)

White

• 2015 Fattoria Nittardi “Ben” Vermentino, Tuscany, Italy S$75++ (17/20 Jancis Robinson)
• 2013 Sattlerhof, Gamlitzer, Sauvignon Blanc, Südsteiermark, Austria S$100++ (92 points on Wine Enthusiast)
• 2014 Domaine de L’Arlot, Nuits St Georges La Gerbotte, Burgundy, France S$135++ (88 to 90 points on Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)

Red

• 2016 Alvaro Palacios, Camins del Priorat, Spain S$88++ (90 points on Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)
• 2014 Domaine Ponsot Bourgogne Cuvee du Pinson, Burgundy, France S$108++ (86 to 89 points on Burghound)
• 2005 Renato Corino Barolo “Arborina”, Italy S$135++ (92 points on Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)

All these cocktails and wines will no doubt pair well with the complimentary canapés, available every day from 6pm to 8pm – when you and your family, friends and colleagues come together to relax over a glass of wine or a light cocktail and finger foods before dinner. Among Chef Simone’s creations include Duck Gelatin; Vol Au Vent Taleggio Cheese; Green Pea in Glass, Pea Shoot, Quail Eggs; Tomato with Crabmeat; Zucca & Gambretto; Mini Zuccotto; Assorted Jelly and more. The line-up of canapés will be changed daily, their availability depends on the seasonality of the produce.

There are also sharing platters to enjoy between 2 to 4 person here. The Meat Platter (S$48) will please the self-professed carnivores, as it showcases mini sliders, chicken wings, lamb chops, pork sausages and fries.

Or go with the indulgent Seafood Platter (S$68), a wonderful spread of oysters, grilled squid, tiger prawns, battered halibut and fries. Customers can also kick things up a notch by adding on a whole lobster (S$28), fresh, fleshy and de-shelled for convenience.

Daily Promotions

For reservations especially large group bookings, please call 63853424 or visit www.foodbydo.com for more information.