In a city overflowing with world-class cocktail bars, Hi Stranger proves that genuine curiosity, an adventurous spirits selection and a welcoming neighbourhood vibe can be more captivating than self-important mixology.
If anything, Singapore suffers from an abundance of cocktail bars. From scrappy dive bars to fancy hotel cocktail lounges, the Lion City has them all. Every new opening too — and there seems to be at least one a week — arrives promising an immersive narrative, hyper-local ingredients, laboratory-grade techniques or enough theatrical smoke to trigger the building alarm. In such company, novelty alone is no longer enough.
Newly-opened Hi Stranger, tucked along Neil Road, chose a different route altogether. Rather than chase spectacle, this intimate 26-seat bar feels almost disarmingly casual. It has the relaxed energy of a neighbourhood café where regulars drift in after work, except the coffee machine has been replaced by shelves of independently-bottled spirits and conversations can often revolve around obscure rums, world whiskies, and even raicilla from Jalisco.
Indeed you’re likely to be mesmerised by its range of more obscure spirits that take pride of place at the front of the bar when you first enter. The founders, Bastien Renard and Roomi Luo, describe Hi Stranger as “a cocktail playground for the curious”, and for once it’s not mere lip service.
Rather than confronting you with pages of unfamiliar bottles and expecting them to already know the difference between clairin, agricole rum and cachaça, Hi Stranger gently lowers the barrier with clever interactive displays — aroma spritzes, flavour maps and tactile wooden tools — that help guide you in discovering what you enjoy before committing to a drink.
And instead of treating spirits as trophies like some of the more stuffy bars do, the founders have assembled an eclectic collection sourced personally in small quantities, including rum from the Philippines, whisky from Sweden, raicilla from Jalisco and a bespoke Savanna Rum collaboration from Réunion Island created exclusively for the bar, that can be sampled by the centilitre from as little as S$5. Some bottles even receive custom labels designed in-house before being offered in exploratory pours rather than locked behind intimidating price tags.
And what truly sets the bar apart from its contemporaries? Those spirits extend to the back bar, many of which are used by head bartender Khalya Khalik in their opening menu, ‘A World Aglow’, inspired by the volcanic documentary ‘Fire of Love.’
The Funky Daiquiri sounds exactly like the sort of drink that deserves repeat visits, allowing Jamaican rum, chilli and lime to dance without unnecessary embellishment. The Smoky Sour layers Scotch and Islay whiskies into something more contemplative, while The Naughty Martini blends the exclusive Réunion rum with Jamaican rum, gin, vermouth and olive brine for a savoury Martini variation that feels simultaneously familiar and slightly mischievous.
The food wisely understands its supporting role. Chef Edwin Tay, whose résumé includes Rhubarb and Nouri, focuses on polished comfort cooking intended for sharing rather than distraction. Pão de queijo, tuna tartare, prawn toast and fried mushrooms provide satisfying accompaniments before larger plates such as smoked chimichurri wagyu skirt steak or Spanish octopus take over.
What ultimately distinguishes Hi Stranger, however, is not its lava-inspired visuals or evolving chapter concept, clever though they are. It is the atmosphere.
Many of Singapore’s finest cocktail bars remain destinations. Instagram-worthy places you deliberately book weeks ahead, dress for and photograph. Hi Stranger instead feels like somewhere you simply drop into because you happen to be nearby. Somewhere one drink suddenly becomes three. Somewhere strangers become regulars.
The result is one of the more refreshing additions to Singapore’s cocktail landscape this year. Go and be a stranger no more.
Hi Stranger
Address 27 Neil Rd, Singapore 088817 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 6pm to 11.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays; closed on Sundays and Mondays
Web www.histranger-sg.com
Instagram @histranger.sg
Reservations book here
Follow us on Telegram to get updated on events and other spirited announcements!
