mind the gap

Singapore Living

Sunday, August 15, 2004

Smoking in Singapore
Smoking is not allowed in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices, and in air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centres. First-time offenders face a maximum fine of S$1,000. Smoking is allowed in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.


Cigars
Most hotels and high-end bars in Singapore now sell cigars. Where smoking is allowed, you can usually smoke cigars too.

The Wine & Cigar Room
(#01-18 Clarke Quay; Tel: 6334 7118)
Open Sun-Thu 4pm-2am, Fri-Sat 4pm-3am
Happy Hours: Daily 4-9pm

BRIX

(Grand Hyatt, Basement One, Grand Wing)
As the name implies, BRIX combines a blend of rustic charm with chic modern interiors. This trendy basement bar is made up of the livelier Music Bar and the more laid back Wine and Whisky Bars. Relax with wines by the glass from a large glass wine cellar, built in cigar humidor and a selection of single malt scotch, cognacs and liqueurs. The Music Bar features a large island bar where a world class selection of beers and exciting cocktails are available. Live entertainment is the highlight of this zone. Happy hour is followed by a top quality band playing jazz funk, R&B and soul till the wee hours.


Les Amis Wine Bar

(#02-16 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road; Tel: 6733-2225)
Open: Mon-Sat 5pm-1am

Mezza9 Martini Bar
(Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10-12 Scotts Rd; Tel: 6738-1234)
Has: swanky restaurant, cigars, extensive martini and wine list
Open: Daily 11-2am

Bar & Billiard Room
(Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd; Tel: 6337 1886)
While the equally historic Fullerton continues to draw away some of the limelight, the grande dame of heritage hotels remains the standard, with its all-suite accommodation, period furniture & marble ensemble, private parlour & dining area. Cigar lovers should head for the comfortable Cigar Divan in the Bar & Billiard Room to enjoy 64 brands of cigars from Cuba & the Dominican Republic.

Modestos
(Orchard Parade Hotel)
An informal, cosy restaurant and bar offering a trendy Italian cuisine of wood-fired pizzas, pastas and fine wines. An exclusive cigar divan offers a wide selection of premium cigars and ports.


CitySpace
(SwissĂ´tel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road Singapore 178882; Tel: 6338 8585)
Operating Hours:
Evening Sunday - Thursday 5.00 pm - 1.00 am
Evening Friday - Saturday 5.00 pm - 2.00 am
Live music daily from 8.00 pm to midnight.

Located on level 70, just off the arrival foyer. Entry is through the Swissotel entrance on Stamford Rd. This intimate 53-seat lounge bar provides a luxurious, club-like atmosphere for a discerning clientele. The mood is enriched by a pianist, accompanied by vocals. Its selection of prestige spirits, wines and cigars is complemented by delicacies to be savoured, including Raffles International Private Label Iranian caviar. The ceiling comes alive with a galaxy of suspended crystal spheres creating a continually changing spectrum of colour and light.


Alternatively, purchase a cigar at a dedicated cigar store and smoke it wherever you can (legally):
Cigar Stores
Habanos
(3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-071, Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983; 6339 7339)

Cigar Affair
(Mandarin Hotel, #03-48; 6736 1493)
Ask for Esther. Cubans only but of very good quality and the best prices in Singapore.

Legaro's (Boat Quay)
is the best for a quiet evening smoke on their rooftop.

Harry's Bar at Boat Quay or Jazz @ Southbridge is the place to go if like the rest of the crowd, you're in your late 20s to 40s and enjoy your jazz music to a cigar and some whisky.


Sheesha
For a slow leisurely communal smoke with a middle-eastern waterpipe. Sheesha smoking (unlike cigarette smoking) is supposed to teach you patience, tolerance and an appreciation for good company!

Places you can try this out:

Mosi Cafe
32 Haji Lane (near Arab Street)
Serves moroccan sandwiches and hot drinks and of course, sheesha.

Mazmazza Cafe & Restaurant
(67 & 68 Bussorah Street (off Beach Road) Singapore 199480)

Cafe Semar

Kazbar
(25 Church Street #01-03 Capital Square Three )
Caters Middle Eastern a la carte cuisine for lunch and dinner right in the heart of "yuppie" central. This place is the epitome of laziness where you can lay yourself to rest on the "divan" and puff away "opium-style" with the sheesha or opt to sit inside with its decor of vibrant red and orange colours and cosy little "harems". Come on Wednesday and Friday nights to "Rock the Kazbar" with an exotic belly dancer! If that does not whet your appetite, try the cous cous special served with marinated lamb cubes and grilled boneless chicken and a side serving of vegetables in a vegetarian stock and spicy Moroccan sauce, "harissa". Whilst you chat and drink, snack away on the hummus, tabouleh, moutabel and babaganoush dips with pita bread; cheese borek, a herb and feta cheese pastry; falafel, chick peas and beans tossed in aromatic spices served with tahini; kibbeh, ground mutton and crushed wheat stuffed with minced meat; shish tauok, charcoal grilled marinated chicken on skewers served with harissa and garlic sauce; grilled minced lamb kebab flavoured with spices and served with garlic yoghurt; and mixed grill platter consisting of lamp chop, shish tauok, butter fish, squid and kofta kebab. Don't leave without trying the dessert special, um ali, a delightful bread and butter pudding done Arabian Gulf style.

Persapolis Pub cum Restaurant
Prinsep Street (opp Parklane)
Without any arabian flavour. Right in the heart of ah-beng central.

Betel Nut
Ok, so this isn't anything smoke-able. It's here because it's a relaxant and a narcotic.
You can acquire your chew from:
Bee Huat Credit Pte. Limited
(Blk 343, Jurong East Street 31, #01-61, Singapore 600343; Tel:65666885)

Vijaya Impex
(3, Kerbau Road, Singapore 219151; Tel: 62918056/2718794)


mind the gap