Bar review: The Belljar

We scour the bar scene to bring you the new and noteworthy. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it! ANTHIA CHNG checks out The Belljar at North Canal Road.

First impressions:

Occupying a three-storey shophouse in Boat Quay, The Belljar is dimly lit, with grey, black and wood furnishings creating a classy-chic vibe. Feast on Asian-fusion dishes on the ground floor, relax with a sundowner on the second level, or get fancy with a whisky appreciation class on the top level; this multi-functional space suits various occasions.

The Chosen One:

Apart from the extensive whisky selection, the original cocktails on the menu are sure to appeal. Those who prefer a sweeter concoction will enjoy the Singer in a Smoky Room ($25), a flashy tipple presented in an actual bell jar with a mini smoke machine. On first whiff, you’ll get the soft, herbal scent of the lavender flower, followed by a layer of red wine, which adds visual appeal and fragrance; the drink finishes off with marmalade, gin and elderflower. Looking for the classics? Go for The Belljar Old Fashioned ($16), a great blend of Buffalo Trace bourbon, Bowmore 12-year-old whisky, bitters and sugar.

The Cheapskate:

Ladies get one-for-one on drinks like lychee martinis and sangria on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Bite on this:

Food takes equal weight at this restaurant bar, which is open for both lunch and dinner. Look forward to a selection of sharing plates and mains inspired by Singapore’s melting pot of cultures. We tried the har cheong siew yoke ($15), a prawn-paste and pork dish roasted to perfection. An ode to local hawker fare, the thick slices are the perfect balance between crispy crackling and melt-in-the-mouth meat. An ideal complement to this sinfulness is the burst of citrus in the Highball ($15), a refreshing whisky-based cocktail. Another must-try is the duck breast ($22), an interesting combination of roasted meat, red cabbage mousse, juniper berry cinnamon jus, fresh greens and Parmesan crumbs. What really stole the show for me, however, was the gochujang pasta ($16), a unique fusion dish made with spicy Korean pepper sauce for heat and peanut butter for creaminess.

Last but not least:

If you’re keen on learning more about whiskies, this is the place to go. The Belljar offers whisky appreciation classes and pairing sessions, soon to be expanded to include other spirits like gin.

18 North Canal Road

8182 2858 | facebook.com/thebelljar.sg

This article first appeared in the March 2017 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy for the full article, or subscribe now so you never miss an issue!

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