Long Bar

Long Bar
1 Beach Road
#2F Raffles Hotel

http://www.raffles.com/singapore/dining/long-bar/

Cocktail Singapore Sling Original & Bag Of Peanuts

Experience A Slice Of History, For A Price

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 5
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 6
Service: 8
Value for Money: 1
Spent about SGD $73 per person.


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Established in 1887 within Raffles Hotel, the globally reowned Long Bar is the birthplace of the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail, invented by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915, as a way to make drinking of alcohol socially acceptable for women (times were different back then). Over a century on, the iconic pink cocktail has spawned numerous iterations worldwide, but the Long Bar still serves up the original, closely following the same recipe by which it was first concocted. These days, the Long Bar is essentially a tourist spot, for folks to relive a slice of history, with nary a local Singaporean customer in sight, due to the exorbitant prices here.

Ambience at Long Bar harkens back to the British colonial days, the place having preserved much of its old-world elegance. Sturdy cushioned teak furniture is closely packed admist the patterned tiled floors, brightly lit by natural lighting in the day, and warm light at night, while old-school motor powered ceiling fans lazily wave overhead. The iconic lengthy bar counter against the white washed walls are framed by rows of bottles, offset by bright green lamps and classical renaissance style artwork. Feels a lot like the gentlemen's hunting lodge of old. Part of the appeal here is the age-old tradition of tossing empty peanut shells on the floor.

Service at Long Bar is professional and friendly, bearing the pride of a fulll-service restaurant. Sharply tuxedoed staff offer greetings and goodbyes, and are quick to sort out seating for guests. They're knowledgable on the menu, able to provide ample description and recommendations. I note they're quick to clear away empty / dirty tables, as well as sweep away peanut husks on the floor when guests leave, very efficient. However, my main issue is the difficulty in attracting their attention, took me longer than expected to call them to place orders. Also, getting them to present the bill also takes awhile, even during non peak periods.

Food at Long Bar is largely limited, due to the small menu. Mainly British English and local Singaporean cuisine feature here; these are usually simple but well executed, spot on in taste and texture. Consistent good quality. Portion sizes are snack size, suitable for individuals, but won't fill you up. The biggest hurdle to visiting the Long Bar is their high prices. It's very expensive to dine here, at least 3 times more expensive for similar quality elsewhere. Budget about SGD $73 per person for a meal here, be prepared to splurge if you decide to visit. From experience, I personally won't be visiting this tourist trap again.


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Long Bar Exterior

Long Bar Interior

Menu

Menu

Old Powered Ceiling Fans

Cocktail Singapore Sling History

The Long Bar Counter

The Long Bar Counter

A Bag Of Peanuts ($Complimentary) is provided at every table. Just simple, plain, roasted peanuts. Guests are welcome to crack open and toss the empty shells onto the floor as part of tradition. This is likely the only place in Singapore where littering is permitted! For those so inclined, a container is also provided at the table for you to dispose of the peanut shells.

Bag Of Peanuts ($Complimentary)

Bag Of Peanuts

Loved the tasty Beer Battered Fish And Chips (SGD $45.70), which are simple but well executed to classic British English style. A light, crisp, non-oily beer batter, surrounds a tender, moist, sweet savoury fillet of john dory fish. The English chips have a medium thickness, fluffy with good potato flavour. Really good. The problem is the super expensive price for something like this, the portion isn't large either.

Beer Battered Fish And Chips (SGD $45.70)

Beer Battered Fish And Chips

Beer Battered Fish And Chips

The Buffalo Chicken Wings (SGD $22.30) are really pushing the into rip-off territory. The 5 small pieces of drumlets and winglets resemble those from the frozen section of the supermarket, just that it's served with a house blend of tangy sweet barbecue and tomato ketchup sauce on the side. For this price, I at least expect them to marinate their own chicken wings. In no way does this resemble any kind of American style buffalo wings. Expensive, poor value for money, not satisfiying at all.

Buffalo Chicken Wings (SGD $22.30)

Buffalo Chicken Wings

It's the classic Cocktail Singapore Sling Original (SGD $36.30). The lovely feminine pink coloured beverage is a sweet sour fruity blend, made with gin, cherry heering liqueur, D.O.M. Benedictine herbal liqueur, Cointreau triple sec orange liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, Angostura bitters, and grenadine syrup, served on ice with a garnish of pineapple and cherry. True original classic cocktail, you get to relive history, but rather expensive to order here. Although, every single tourist here ordered this!

Cocktail Singapore Sling Original (SGD $36.30)

Cocktail Singapore Sling Original

Cocktail Singapore Sling Original

Cocktail Singapore Sling Original

The Cocktail Raffles 1915 Gin Sling (SGD $32.80) is a less alcoholic, less fruity sweet, more refreshing, more thirst quenching version of the Cocktail Singapore Sling Original. The blend still features cherry heering liqueur, D.O.M. Benedictine herbal liqueur, Angostura bitters, along with lime juice and soda water. The gin has been replaced with the Raffles 1915 Sipsmith gin instead, created by Master Distiller Jared Brown and handcrafted at the Sipsmith Distillery, exclusively for Raffles Hotel. This premium blend of gin features jasmine flowers, fresh pomelo peel, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, nutmeg, cardamom, juniper, coriander, and orris root. The result is a smooth, full-bodied spirit, having the warmth of sweet citrus fruits and spices, coupled with an elegant, bright, balanced finish. As with everything else here, this is expensive.

Cocktail Raffles 1915 Gin Sling (SGD $32.80)

Cocktail Raffles 1915 Gin Sling

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