Contemporary Asian craft beer-centric gastrobar Autobar in Republic Plaza is the newest buzzy watering hole for craft beer lovers.
Craft beer is somewhat in a doldrum these days. A slew of recent closures – including the likes of contemporary beer-centric gastrobars The Guild and Heart of Darkness Singapore, among others – has taken the fizz out of a scene that was fresh and bubbly just a few years back. But a recent entrant, Autobar, promises to inject new life into craft beer as well as Singapore’s Central Business District.
Opened by the same folks behind similarly beer-focused concept The Autobus over at nearby OUE Downtown Gallery, this new 120-seater taproom at Republic Plaza is equal parts craft beer haven and a culinary homage to Asian flavours. In a city where the term ‘fusion’ often feels like a buzzword to mask mediocrity, Autobar gets it right with a rare balance of thoughtful authenticity and refreshing modernity.
Autobar looks every bit like the modern beer taproom it purports to be. Clad in mostly black marble with accents of gold, it exudes a sophisticated, if still cosy, feel.
But beer aficionados – whether you’re a wanker banker, legal eagle, or regular office drone – will immediately be attracted to the wall of 20 chrome taps from which their favourite alcoholic nectar pour from.
The tap list, when we visited, was heavy on craft brews from China; options included those from Nanjing’s Master Gao, Myth Monkey from Wuhu, Wuhan’s No. 18 Brewing, as well as Beijing’s NBeer Craft Brewing. A lot of the beer styles, from a jasmine-infused pale lager to a hoppier West Coast style IPA, have been curated by Autobar founder Lee Chee Li to be sessionable to suit current drinking trends, but also to be easily paired with food.
Not all are beer. There are cocktails on draft, but ciders and hard seltzers as well for variety. Cocktail options range from your typical gin and tonic, but also veer towards a more interesting salted plum fizz as well as a refreshing peach basil smash.
Then there’s the food, which isn’t your typical pub grub served at most beer bars.
Rather than a bowl of fries or buffalo wings, you’re instead offered Asian options such as your very traditional and scrumptious Nonya Ngoh Hiang served with a tangy tangerine-spiked chilli sauce, Thai-inspired Kor Moo Yang of grilled iberico pork neck, or Sichuan-inspired Kou Shui Ji, which comes reimagined as a chicken roulade drenched in a fiery sauce.
This is not just another beer bar. We like that Autobar is sleek enough for a business lunch, social enough for after work beers, and perfectly genial for a first date.
Another beer?
[Photo credits: Joel Lim Photography]
Autobar
Address 9 Raffles Pl, #01-03 Republic Plaza, Singapore 048619 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 11.30am to 10pm Mondays to Fridays; 5pm to 10pm on Saturdays; closed on Sundays
Web www.autobarsg.com
Facebook autobarsg
Instagram @autobar.restaurant
Reservations book here
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