the long bar

 what can i say?  the long bar is apparently a must do.. and so it was done.  and enjoyed.  the peanuts were an odd touch.  i gotta say.  they reminded me of 90's chain eateries, that were big on serving big bowls of peanuts so customers could throw the husks all over the food.  and peanuts in singapore are small.. and not really crunchy.

but really, i wasn't there for the peanuts. it was the singapore slings i was after.  and they, my lovelies, were lovely.  expensive at $27 a pop, but lovely.  they actually have a list of sinagpore sling choices.  the original ain't the only game in town.  to be honest, i didn't even have the original, i had the summer sling.  most of the choices are named after a season.  how eco aware the long bar is.....

the decor was lovely, big old fashioned straw fans overhead, gorgeous colonial architecture inspired by the malaysian plantations of 1920's. the singapore sling itself is a cocktail that was developed sometime before 1915 by ngiam tong boon, a bartender working at the long bar in raffles hotel singapore. the original recipe used gin, cherry heering, bénédictine, and fresh pineapple juice, primarily from sarawak pineapples which enhance the flavour and create a foamy top. written notes that they were able to discover regarding the original recipe is still on display at the raffles hotel museum. huh.

the current raffles hotel recipe is a heavily modified version of the original, most likely changed sometime in the 1970s by ngiam tong boon's nephew. today, many of the "singapore slings" served at raffles hotel have been pre-mixed and are made using an automatic dispenser that combines alcohol and pineapple juice to pre-set volumes. they are then blended instead of shaken to create a nice foamy top as well as to save time because of the large number of orders. however, it is still possible to request a shaken version from bartenders.

not sure why it makes it into the 'worlds best bar' list tho'.  although its a pretty chill place, its not really a comfortable local hangout.  however, it is a good place to watch the honeymooning tourists. and don't go by yourself, or you'll end up looking like all the other depressed traveling businessmen getting a few cups of expensive liquid courage before they venture out to the seedy side of orchard in search of their nightly companions.  (i didn't go by myself.... just sayin)

Long Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673