When White Shades announced the downsizing of its beloved four-story cocktail playground on Boon Tat Street last year, regulars mourned the loss of a Telok Ayer institution. The sprawling shophouse once housed a highball-focused concept on Level 1, a classy speakeasy on Level 2, a private event space on Level 3, and a rooftop bar on Level 4. Now, the brand has reinvented itself across just two floors: Lumina, an alfresco rooftop hideout, and Shards—a newly opened, warmly intimate bar on Level 3 that channels the Japanese art of kintsugi.
A Home Away From Home
Stepping into Shards feels like entering a friend’s living room. The space is deliberately stripped back, with cozy decor, a color-changing skylight that shifts the mood throughout the evening, and a simple white bar counter where conversation flows as freely as the drinks. Founder Bai Jiawei explains that the bar’s concept draws inspiration from kintsugi, the Japanese practice of repairing broken ceramics with gold lacquer—a hopeful metaphor for both the business and Singapore’s hospitality industry post-pandemic.
The attention to detail is tangible: some glassware at Shards has been repurposed from the former Kaku highball bar downstairs, melted down and reshaped into new forms. Cocktail menus are hand-burnt at the edges, lending a DIY, artisanal feel.
Cocktails That Impress—Without Breaking the Bank
Shards’ 10 signature cocktails are priced at $23 each—a pleasant surprise in the CBD, where a drink typically runs $26 to $28. Early birds arriving at 5pm can snag $10 happy hour pours. For those seeking a personalized touch, the bar will custom-make a cocktail based on your preferences for just $25.
Our top pick: Bright Rupture, a cherry wood-smoked, tequila-based creation that balances smoky and savory notes with the light, refreshing flavors of tomato water, hibiscus, lime, and rhubarb. The Crystallised Honey—a twist on the classic Penicillin—features aromatic ingredients like galangal, eucalyptus honey, and apple cider vinegar. Initially pungent and almost medicinal, it evolves as lapsang souchong-infused vodka releases smoky, astringent notes that keep you coming back for more.
Other tea-adjacent creations include Honest(tea) (with oolong) and Fracture Rosé (topped with house-made matcha foam). For something bright and easy, the Sour Prism comes with a carbonated white grape garnish, sparkling wine, 24-month-aged umeshu, and soursop. And if you want something seriously boozy, the Bottomless Bubbles—made with 60ml of frozen Japanese, blended, and Irish whisky—is basically two highballs in one: fizzy and dangerously drinkable.
Simple Bites, Big Flavor
The food menu is pared back but still offers over 10 items, ranging from $5 to $15. Standouts include the cheesy Lao Gan Ma sourdough ($12) and elotes ($12) topped with corn, sour cream, mayo, feta, chili flakes, lime, and cilantro. For heartier appetites, there are bowls of curry noodles and chicken noodles ($15).
The private room has also gotten a makeover. Once a luxurious leather-clad lair, it’s now a relaxed karaoke lounge perfect for birthdays and group outings. With a $1,000 minimum spend, guests can belt out tunes while ordering cocktails directly from Shards.
The Verdict
Time Out’s rating: 4/5
Sometimes simple and understated is the way to go. Shards combines decent value with well-crafted drinks and a comfortable setting—no fancy furnishings, pricey food, or complicated mixology techniques that don’t always translate into taste. While nothing on the menu or in the space is groundbreaking, this bar is poised to become a go-to for post-work hangouts or the last stop after a hectic night out.
Shards by White Shades is open Tuesday to Friday, 3pm to midnight, and Saturday, 6pm to midnight, at 25 Boon Tat Street, Level 3, Singapore 069622.