Hidden behind a nondescript black door inside a casual beer bar on Aliwal Street lies Players Table, the most surprising cocktail opening of 2026 so far. Created by industry veterans Jasper Tan and Marcus Ezekiel Low—whose resumes include MOGA, Anti:Dote, and Barbary Coast—this 21-seat speakeasy opened its doors in late 2025 inside WitBier, a bar owned by Low’s family. To find it, patrons must walk past the pool table, find the black door marked “Players Only,” and push through into what feels like a secret room.
A Speakeasy Born from Industry Experience
Tan and Low met while working at MOGA, and their combined expertise shows in every detail. The space itself is intentionally stripped back: warm glowing lights, a handful of low seats, and a straightforward bar counter. No velvet ropes, no dramatic reveals, no Instagram gimmicks. The duo wanted the drinks to do the talking, and they do.
“The concept is simple, but it’s evident that much research and testing have gone into getting every component and detail of the cocktails right,” the bar’s team notes.
Signature Sips That Surprise and Delight
Players Table’s menu features 12 signature cocktails built around two core ingredients each, alongside eight classics and three non-alcoholic options. Unlike many modern cocktail bars that lean on elaborate garnishes and complex techniques, these drinks are presented without fuss. But don’t mistake simplicity for lack of sophistication.
The Bell Pepper x Melon ($23) exemplifies this approach. On the nose, it delivers an unmistakable whiff of bell pepper, supported by the oaky, vanilla notes of aged Topanito Reposado, with melon rounding out the finish. The Mugicha x Shiso ($23) uses Nikka Coffey gin as a base, with Japanese roasted barley tea providing warm, toasted flavors and shiso adding herbal complexity. The genius touch? Shikuwasa, an Okinawan lime that slips in acidity that cuts beautifully through the soda.
For spice lovers, the Mango x Bird’s Eye Chilli ($24) delivers sweet, sour, and heat in equal measure. Fresh mango provides genuine fruit flavor rather than artificial syrup, while house-made salted caramel adds creaminess without cloying richness. The bird’s eye chili leaves a potent kick that hits the chest.
Even familiar combinations get thoughtful reimaginings. The Espresso x Guinness ($24) substitutes coffee liqueur with a coffee reduction, resulting in a thinner, more refined drink with gentle notes of black cardamom and pleasant fruity undertones.
Other options include watermelon and basil, hazelnut and earl grey, and strawberry and hojicha. Tan recommends the Pandan x Coconut ($23), while Low favors the Sencha x Yuzu ($24). For the adventurous, the Dealer’s Choice of the Week rotates regularly.
Food and Final Verdict
The food menu is intentionally simple: cheeseburger ($23), fries ($10), grilled chicken wings, sausages, pork belly, edamame, and chicken karaage. The standout is the gyoza-stuffed wings ($18)—grilled chicken wings piped with gyoza filling and paired with a piquant sauce reminiscent of chicken rice chili.
Time Out’s rating: 5/5. Players Table proves that the hidden bar concept still has life when executed with substance. The drinks are precise, polished, and unpretentious. For cocktail lovers in Singapore, this is the bar to visit in 2026.
Getting there: Inside WitBier, 14 Aliwal Street, Singapore 1999907. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to midnight. Walk-ins only.