Destinations

MO Bar Singapore review: Happy Hour Asia returns to the Mandarin Oriental signature hotel bar for the first time since its refurbishment. And this visit is also timely in order to catch the the last instalment in a special series called ‘The Echoes of Singapore’ – volume six – and get some banana dollars!

Reaching the bar on level 3 also means entering via the flagship hotel’s lobby and its refined interiors, including the magnificent atrium. And the sense of difference is immediate and striking, where the hotel has become much brighter as a result of the completed refurbishment.

As for MO Bar, its location is the same – a favourable spot thanks to its panorama view (through window walls) of the CBD and Marina Bay Sands. Its entrance is inviting, with its “gate” in marine blue, illuminated walls featuring the logo, and bespoke chocolate brown marble flooring.

Inside the bar: discerning interiors with an overarching turquoise, or rather blue-green (depends on how much daylight) hue on the vaguely grid-patterned wallpapers. An oblong and oval, high table with bar stools, on top of a blue carpet, first come into view. Next to it, a small bar table in one of the corners, flanked by a latticework with mounted asymmetric wood pieces (this same pattern also found in the ceiling). Closer to the bar are other armchairs in grey upholstering and freeform size wooden tables, as well as a trio of green velvet-padded dark brown rattan chairs surrounding a round brass table.

As for the bar proper, its long counter comes in a shiny bright marble, resembling some tropical wood pattern, and flanked by brown-padded bar stools.

Further inside, and with the bar in view, find additional seats, including round tables made with beautiful – seemingly – European Ash (a ring-porous wood), paired with rosé-hued leather armchairs and décor cushions. In another corner, and also near the floor-to-ceiling window, guests can opt for dark purple-blue designer sofas and high-back, green armchairs. Whatever your choice it is all very fashionable!

Come evening, the vintage style brass table lamps produce light or guests to study the marine-blue bar menu. And, actually, MO Bar offers an alternative and nostalgic way to explore the special drinks menu; one that reminds guests of yesteryear, and that my likely be something that especially younger guests may have never have tried before: a physical viewfinder tool with a tinted reel disc! And, in this case, it’s actually helpful, since the drinks in the printed version of the Volume Six menu are not photos – but graphics only.

MO Bar Singapore review: last instalment of ‘Echoes of Singapore’

The Volume Six menu comes in a sleek box revealing a dark blue menu adorned with undulating waves – a nod to the bar’s Pacific Ocean inspirations – and the bar’s unique viewfinder with a tinted reel disc. Guests can load the reel, peer into the lens, and explore the cocktail selection. For those who prefer a traditional menu, the physical version remains a staple.

So, let’s have a taste of ‘The Echoes of Singapore’, which promises the offer of a distinct sipping experience that embodies the Exceptionally Singapore spirit, here echoed by Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.

It comprises 15 cocktails across five themed chapters, crafted through careful innovation and experimentation by Mo Bar’s team. The cocktail menu uncovers the rich stories that shaped Singapore, while celebrating the collaborative ‘kampung spirit’ of the local cocktail industry through shared ingredients and knowledge.

As example, ‘Past Echoes’, features three cocktails influenced by the yesteryears. The ‘Banana Dollar’ feels intriguing and unique enough, because it is distinguished by the currency reference: When the Japanese occupied Singapore in 1942, they introduced the military yen. This new currency was commonly referred to as ‘banana money’ because the $10 note featured a banana plant. And for this refreshing drink MO Bar has designed its very own banana dollar note made of rice paper, resting atop a silky foam (resembling beer head) of guava and banana, “which softens the effervescent body of Okinawan baijiu and banana liqueur.” This cocktail concoction also resembles sparkling wine, and works well as an aperitif. It’s made with sonic bubble, lemon peel-infused Ryukyu Baiju, Giffard Banane du Brésil banana liqueur.

‘Industry Community’ is another – commendable – chapter that pays tribute to local communities, with each cocktail created in collaboration with like-minded businesses! In collaboration with Prefer, a start-up known for its bean-free coffee, the ‘Espresso Martini reimagines the classic cocktail with a dark rum base, elegantly rounded with coconut and Guinness notes. Instead of coffee beans, it’s topped with three Jolly Pong barley crisps – symbolising Prefer’s blend of bread, soya bean pulp, and spent barley grains.

As the next choice of drink, a reinterpretation of the legendary Singapore Sling feels like a must try. This concoction belongs to the selection under the ‘Innovative Future’ chapter, where Mo Bar looks to the future with three progressive cocktails.

‘Reclaimed Sling 2.0’ is a refined take on its predecessor, which offers a crystal-clear twist on the classic gin-based cocktail. This version enhances the process by adding Cointreau and gin post-distillation, creating a smoother, more flavourful sip. It’s finished with a red house-made lollipop crafted from the drink’s key ingredients (replacing the traditional green olive). The result is a dry martini-looking beauty and a contrast to the traditional high-ball Singapore Sling, and surprisingly the familiar taste of the original drink is still there! Very clever indeed. It deserves a permanent plane on the menu!

More innovation, the remaining Industry Community cocktails are: 1) ‘Hop ‘n’ Rol’, presenting an innovative take on beer, where the lager is cold-distilled to elevate its ABV, before being blended with fresh, house-made passionfruit cordial and Seara vodka for a subtle grainy finish! A prawn cracker dusted with masala chai powder completes the experience. 2) Inspired by Singapore’s 30 by 30 vision, to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030, the ‘Plantish’ is served in a claypot planter sourced from Singapore’s Little India and crowned with a sprinkle of Oreo crumbs to resemble a potted plant. It’s described as a strong, dessert-like drink combining the richness of Hennessy VSOP with white miso vanilla! Sounds like to something to return to…

Only from testing two drinks (pre-dinner cocktails) is enough to see how genial this concept is, and goes to show that cocktails can be inspired from anything with culture, history and society. And there in total 15 drinks to take you places…

Bar Manager Charlie Kim and his team can also tell you more about their way of “distilling the city’s essence into a glass – blending tradition with innovation to craft cocktails that resonate beyond borders.”

There is also bar food, where the Baby spinach salad is truly impressive and delicious. The plate is well filled with super fresh spinach, kalamata olives, feta cheese crumbs, shaved
parmesan cheese, sun-dried Olivetti tomatoes, and an amazing apple-balsamic dressing

Some additional food picks:
Coriander chili crab Pani Puri (crushed potato, yogurt, Mantou, caviar), Laksa French fries (spices and chillies, Laksa leaves), Wagyu beef sliders (Sambal Olek mushroom, cheese, coriander glaze), and Cauliflower Pakoras (Pomegranate, Raita)!

For ongoing promotions, check the MO Bar website page, where the following are examples:
Decadence Tuesdays
Free flow Martini with half a dozen oysters
SGD 98++, SGD 138++ for free-flow champagne
SGD 198++ for free-flow martini and champagne

Wine Down Wednesdays, 5-8 pm
20% off the wine of the month, paired with a complimentary charcuterie board

Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 5.00 pm – 12.00 am
Friday and Saturday: 5.00 pm – 1.00 am
Address: Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, Level 3, 5 Raffles Avenue

See also: Mo Bar’s new mixology menu celebrates the Spirit of Singapore