Smoke & Mirrors (National Gallery Singapore)

Nachos, Wings, Cod Fish, Ham & Mushroom Pizza 🍕

Refreshing. Great view of the city from the rooftop of National Gallery.

Monochrome ($25++)
Naked Malt • Amaro Montenegro • Burnt Bread Cream • Egg

💳 Accepts credit cards
☀️ Al fresco seats only
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope (I walked in, though)
💦 Water is not chargeable
📍 Inside the National Gallery: #06-01, facing the Padang

Man from Manila ($27++)
Michter's Bourbon • Plantation Stiggins' Fancy • Yam Liqueur • Jack Fruit • Lillet Blanc

Super amused & tickled pink (or should I say purple) by this. Photo-worthy opportunity of Edu notwithstanding, I loved the yammyness in this (give me some ube ice cream please). Not only is it a solid drink with depth from the bourbon & rum, it's also simultaneously bright with the notes of caramel & fruits that balance it out. A melt-in-your-mouth drink that I'd order again in a heartbeat.

💳 Accepts credit cards
☀️ Al fresco seats only
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope (I walked in, though)
💦 Water is not chargeable
📍 Inside the National Gallery: #06-01, facing the Padang

Monkey God ($25++)
Michter's Rye • Mandager Syrup • Citrus • Aperol

Here's one for the psychedelic eye-candy seekers - what a work of art of an edible paper garnish. It's inspired by Two Gibbons Amidst Vines (a painting from the 1980s by Chen Wen Hsi), which can be found in the National Gallery halls below. In fact, the drinks on The Real Art of Drinking Vol. II are all inspired by art pieces featured in the gallery. QR codes are available on the menu for those who are curious, which is a nice educational touch.

I found this one exceptionally meaningful because said painting is actually featured on the back of Singapore's $50 bill of the currently circulating portrait series. Fun fact!

💳 Accepts credit cards
☀️ Al fresco seats only
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope (I walked in, though)
💦 Water is not chargeable
📍 Inside the National Gallery: #06-01, facing the Padang

Wok's That Smell ($32++)
Espolón Tequila • Sambal • Lap Cheong • Cointreau • Mezcal • Lime

Cue in timely cackles from a neighbouring table - bringing out the actual inner monologue of sheer delight that I had in my head... Because this smells so damn good.

Another one that tickled my fancy as much as my nosebuds. Think of wok hei enveloping your drinking experience in the form of smokey lap cheong. & if you're not sold on that alone, the drink is pretty complex & delicious too.

Crispy nibble on top was appreciated - "why so nice, I order food got free drink" 🤗

💳 Accepts credit cards
☀️ Al fresco seats only
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope (I walked in, though)
💦 Water is not chargeable
📍 Inside the National Gallery: #06-01, facing the Padang