The Library (Secret Bar)
The Library (Secret Bar)
47 Keong Saik Road
https://www.facebook.com/thestudy49
Passwords To A (Secret) Speakeasy
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 6 / 8
Service: 6
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $25 per person.
Styled in the vein of underground prohibition bars in the United States Of America, The Library (Secret Bar) in Keong Siak Road is an experience unlike any other. Outwardly, the unmarked, no signage facade looks unassuming, and unless you're looking for it, you wouldn't even know there was a bar here. Step in to The Library (Secret Bar), and staff out front pretend not to know what's here, unless you state that you wish to enter the bar. You'll then have to provide a password, then pass through a hidden door into a red lighted room full of mirrors, then pass through another hidden door to finally reach The Library (Secret Bar) proper.
Ambience at The Library (Secret Bar) is a styled after the underground prohibition-era bars of old, with retro industrial vibes, dim mood lighting which leaves the place mostly in darkness, and hard metal finishings on the bar. Books and trinkets adorn the shelves, like a dusty abandoned library, while plush comfortable booths line the rough cobblestone walls. Ambient jazzy tunes fill the small bar, and despite meaning to look like a run-down, hard place, it's actually rather pleasant.
Service at The Library (Secret Bar) is decent. Staff out front keep up the facade that there isn't a bar here, so they don't greet you upon entry, only asking for the password. If you don't have the password, which changes weekly (check The Study's facebook page for it), you'll have to either sing a song, dance, or tell a joke. Once inside, staff are friendly and quick to seat you and take orders. They'll knowledgable enough to make recommendations, though the menu helpfully lists all the ingredients for each cocktail. The Library (Secret Bar) staff are also efficient at clearing after customers leave, and will offer goodbyes.
Food at The Library (Secret Bar) is limited to a small selection of snacks and appetizers, more bar food type. As befits its theme, the food is mostly American cuisine. They have a wider selection of drinks here, and a good range of creative house cocktails. Prices are decent for a bar, most cocktails cost SGD $23, and snacks are about SGD $16. Overall, I would return again to The Library (Secret Bar), as it's a novel experience, and also more relaxing compared to other bars in the area.
Visiting The Library (Secret Bar) is an experience itself. Hidden behind a library facade (hence the name), behind a mirrored room with red lighting, getting in requires providing the bouncer(s) with the correct password, which changes weekly. Failing which, entry can still be gained if you sing a song, or tell a joke.
The menu is hidden behind various quirky covers, ranging from comic books / graphic novels, to joke / humor books, to proper literature, in homage to the secretive nature of the bar, as well as referencing its academic name.
The Cheese Toastie (SGD $9) features gooey, melted manchego Spanish cheese, enhanced with truffle oil and a fragrant garlic aioli, sandwiched between 2 slices of crisp, toasted bread. The texture is smooth, gooey, buttery, with a fragrant, earthy aroma. Much better than it's described, highly recommended!
The Cocktail The Library Brand - Essence Of Speakeasy (SGD $23) is a potent, nearly medicinal, mixture of smoked genever, maraschino cherry, dry curacao, and speakeasy essence... wholesome, bitter sweet, and strong, this is a man's drink.
The Cocktail Rum DMC (SGD $23) is a sweet, fruity concoction, a mixture of walnut infused rum, cachaca, cynar, fresh lime juice, maple syrup, orange essence, and a candied walnut in an orange peel pocket... refreshing, light, and zesty, this is perfect for long, slow sipping.
The trio of Wagyu Beef Sliders (SGD $16) feature hand formed, savoury and juicy wagyu beef patties, topped with fresh lettuce, sauteed onions, smoked fatty bacon, crisp shallot rings, and a secret savoury, sweet, and tangy burger sauce, sandwiched between fluffy burger buns. Excellent taste and texture, you get the crunch of the shallots, followed by the salty bacon, then the juicy, tender beef. Lovely as an appetizer to share, or even as a main!
47 Keong Saik Road
https://www.facebook.com/thestudy49
Passwords To A (Secret) Speakeasy
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 6 / 8
Service: 6
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $25 per person.
.....
Styled in the vein of underground prohibition bars in the United States Of America, The Library (Secret Bar) in Keong Siak Road is an experience unlike any other. Outwardly, the unmarked, no signage facade looks unassuming, and unless you're looking for it, you wouldn't even know there was a bar here. Step in to The Library (Secret Bar), and staff out front pretend not to know what's here, unless you state that you wish to enter the bar. You'll then have to provide a password, then pass through a hidden door into a red lighted room full of mirrors, then pass through another hidden door to finally reach The Library (Secret Bar) proper.
Ambience at The Library (Secret Bar) is a styled after the underground prohibition-era bars of old, with retro industrial vibes, dim mood lighting which leaves the place mostly in darkness, and hard metal finishings on the bar. Books and trinkets adorn the shelves, like a dusty abandoned library, while plush comfortable booths line the rough cobblestone walls. Ambient jazzy tunes fill the small bar, and despite meaning to look like a run-down, hard place, it's actually rather pleasant.
Service at The Library (Secret Bar) is decent. Staff out front keep up the facade that there isn't a bar here, so they don't greet you upon entry, only asking for the password. If you don't have the password, which changes weekly (check The Study's facebook page for it), you'll have to either sing a song, dance, or tell a joke. Once inside, staff are friendly and quick to seat you and take orders. They'll knowledgable enough to make recommendations, though the menu helpfully lists all the ingredients for each cocktail. The Library (Secret Bar) staff are also efficient at clearing after customers leave, and will offer goodbyes.
Food at The Library (Secret Bar) is limited to a small selection of snacks and appetizers, more bar food type. As befits its theme, the food is mostly American cuisine. They have a wider selection of drinks here, and a good range of creative house cocktails. Prices are decent for a bar, most cocktails cost SGD $23, and snacks are about SGD $16. Overall, I would return again to The Library (Secret Bar), as it's a novel experience, and also more relaxing compared to other bars in the area.
.....
Visiting The Library (Secret Bar) is an experience itself. Hidden behind a library facade (hence the name), behind a mirrored room with red lighting, getting in requires providing the bouncer(s) with the correct password, which changes weekly. Failing which, entry can still be gained if you sing a song, or tell a joke.
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| The Library (Secret Bar) Exterior |
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| The Library (Secret Bar) Interior |
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| The Library (Secret Bar) |
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| Red Mirror Room |
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| The Library (Secret Bar) Seating |
The menu is hidden behind various quirky covers, ranging from comic books / graphic novels, to joke / humor books, to proper literature, in homage to the secretive nature of the bar, as well as referencing its academic name.
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| The Library Secret Bar Menu Cover Fill-In-The-Blanks |
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| The Library Secret Bar Menu Cover Comic |
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| The Library Secret Bar Menu Cover Jokes |
The Cheese Toastie (SGD $9) features gooey, melted manchego Spanish cheese, enhanced with truffle oil and a fragrant garlic aioli, sandwiched between 2 slices of crisp, toasted bread. The texture is smooth, gooey, buttery, with a fragrant, earthy aroma. Much better than it's described, highly recommended!
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| Cheese Toastie 01 |
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| Cheese Toastie 02 |
The Cocktail The Library Brand - Essence Of Speakeasy (SGD $23) is a potent, nearly medicinal, mixture of smoked genever, maraschino cherry, dry curacao, and speakeasy essence... wholesome, bitter sweet, and strong, this is a man's drink.
 |
| Cocktail The Library Brand - Essence Of Speakeasy 01 |
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| Cocktail The Library Brand - Essence Of Speakeasy 02 |
The Cocktail Rum DMC (SGD $23) is a sweet, fruity concoction, a mixture of walnut infused rum, cachaca, cynar, fresh lime juice, maple syrup, orange essence, and a candied walnut in an orange peel pocket... refreshing, light, and zesty, this is perfect for long, slow sipping.
 |
| Cocktail Rum DMC 01 |
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| Cocktail Rum DMC 02 |
The trio of Wagyu Beef Sliders (SGD $16) feature hand formed, savoury and juicy wagyu beef patties, topped with fresh lettuce, sauteed onions, smoked fatty bacon, crisp shallot rings, and a secret savoury, sweet, and tangy burger sauce, sandwiched between fluffy burger buns. Excellent taste and texture, you get the crunch of the shallots, followed by the salty bacon, then the juicy, tender beef. Lovely as an appetizer to share, or even as a main!
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| Wagyu Beef Sliders 01 |
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| Wagyu Beef Sliders 02 |
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CONVERSATION