A new Orchard Road bar challenges martini orthodoxy with over 50 inventive versions, from tequila-based blends to a bacon-fat-infused pour, all served inside a vintage train carriage setting.
The question of what constitutes a proper martini has long divided cocktail purists: gin or vodka, dry vermouth or none, olive or lemon twist. At The Singapore Martini Club, which opened recently at 1 Tanglin Road inside the Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, the answer is refreshingly simple—whatever goes. The brainchild of Dario Knox, who also runs the speakeasy-style, cabaret-themed bar The Backdrop just down the road in Voco Orchard, this new venue offers a deliberately irreverent take on one of cocktail culture’s most sacred vessels.
From the moment guests arrive, the bar leans into theatrical whimsy. A staff member greets visitors with a cheerful “welcome on board,” then escorts them to tables adorned with travel memorabilia—suitcases personalized with names and ticket stubs for a lucky draw. The space itself evokes a vintage train carriage straight from a film set, complete with wood-paneled walls and period-inspired details.
The menu unfolds like a train journey, organized into “stations” or “stops” with cocktails increasing in potency as guests progress. Under the “Main Station” section, the Portofino Martini ($24) offers a summery, grapefruit-forward gin-based pour that’s approachable for novices. The Karuizawa ($25), also in this section, delivers an initial whiff of celery before revealing layers of shiso, green apple, and lime in a vodka base that becomes rounded and addictive.
At the “1st Stop: The Savory Martinis,” the Tokyo Spice Martini ($25) swaps gin for tequila and incorporates Japanese spices, yielding a savory sip with heat that lingers at the back of the throat. Five more stops follow: Tea, Fruity, Herbal, Pop Culture, and The Dry Classics, each offering distinct interpretations.
The marquee offering, however, is the Sub-Zero Dirty Martini ($36), prepared tableside with a thermometer for precision. A blend of gin, dry vermouth, distilled water, and olive brine is chilled to minus 10 degrees Celsius, producing a silky, almost thick mouthfeel. While billed as dirty, it’s a clean pour—guests can amplify savory notes with a side platter of juicy olives, cheese, and pickled peppers.
For the adventurous, the ‘Guanciale’ Sinful Martini features a film of guanciale oil floating atop a crystal-clear pour. Each sip is rich yet crisp and dry, resetting the palate before the next. Additional guanciale fat comes on the side—not for the faint of heart.
The bar’s espresso martini ($26) leans sweet, blending tequila, coffee liqueur, hazelnut, coconut, and cold brew coffee, served with charred marshmallows on the side. While a modest tapas menu exists—hummus with gluten-free rice crackers, bikini sandwiches, chorizo bruschetta—the olives deserve special attention. Four varieties are available: Casolane from Sicily; black and green Picholine and Niçoise from France; plump Italian olives from Puglia with Parmigiano Reggiano shavings; and Spanish Gordal olives with feta crumbs.
The Singapore Martini Club acknowledges what many cocktail enthusiasts already know: traditional espresso martinis or pornstar martinis aren’t technically “martinis” either. The bar pays homage to purists with stiffer pours like the sub-zero dirty, guanciale, and classics such as the Gibson ($28). Still, it may not be the ideal first choice for a martini fundamentalist—especially given the proximity of Martini Bar at Grand Hyatt just doors away.
For curious, open-minded patrons, however, The Singapore Martini Club checks most boxes for a fun night out. It operates Tuesday through Thursday from 6pm to 2am and Friday to Saturday from 7pm to 3am. Reservations are recommended, and guests should grab a bite beforehand—the tapas menu is designed more for lining the stomach than dazzling the palate.
What to know before you go:
- Address: 1 Tanglin Road, Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, #01-01, Singapore 247905
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 6pm-2am; Friday-Saturday 7pm-3am
- Price range: $24-$36 per cocktail
- Best for: Adventurous drinkers, groups seeking novelty, date nights
- Skip if: You’re a martini purist unwilling to experiment
The bar’s irreverent spirit invites a broader conversation about cocktail tradition versus innovation. In a city where high-end cocktail culture can sometimes feel exclusionary, The Singapore Martini Club offers a welcome reminder that rules—even those about martinis—are sometimes made to be broken.