The watering hole of the rich and famous lie spread out from the Highlands of Scotland to the Bay area in Singapore. Let’s indulge you with a peek into some of them.
BALMORAL EDINBURGH
The address itself is a dead giveaway- No. 1 Princes Street- Edinburgh’s most prestigious address. It’s been 5 years since the Balmoral Bar was inaugurated. It is a part of the hotel that dates back to 1902. The expertly blended cocktails – both shaken and stirred -are on offer here with a wide selection of the best wines beer and spirits from around the world. The experience is complete with kilted doormen and theatrical backlit acetates. It’s a place to indulge and feel spoiled. Drinks are served with complimentary cones of moreish wasabi-flavoured popcorn, smoked almonds, and daily papers too if you want.
THE LIBRARY – LEELA PALACE NEW DELHI
“We do not entertain adults under 25” says an announcement at the entrance! The ambiance at the Library speaks of an old world charm, of an era gone by, of chesterfield chairs and old school connects. It’s a place to catch up with old buddies and colleagues. It remains a lounge where one can actually have an audible conversation where the music understands the space, unlike most lounges today where you end up shouting above the din. The Library boasts of an enviable collection whiskey, cigars and innovative martinis.
POT STILL- SCOTLAND
At 154 Hope Street Glasgow you will find malts of every persuasion, mean quality and contentment. From the seaweed strewn bays of Islay, rugged highland mountains to the cool river lowlands, Pot Still has it all. And it’s all displayed on a very well stocked gantry. It is the haunt of famous theatre personalities found regularly taking a break here for Pot Still is at the heart of Glasgow’s Theatre Land. Owned by the Murray family it is the haunt of regulars as well visitors from all over the world jostling for attention from a very cheerful and efficient staff.
BOISDALE – LONDON
Boisdale at Canary Warf is a traditional British Pub with a very British menu on offer, with an excellent collection of whiskey and fine cigars along with live music six days a week. So while you listen to some fabulous jazz, Blues and Soul you can have a three course Lobster stake meal with your drink at about 30 pounds. At 41 pounds you could do a whiskey pairing with chocolates. Paul Young, a ground breaking chocolatier currently being celebrated in the British chocolate scene will be here on 6th July 6.30 pm onward. Having won five World Golds at the International chocolate awards, he will be pairing whiskey with chocolates for a very innovative evening here. An outpost of the original Boisdale in Belgravia, the Champagne and Oyster Bar and the lower-ground vaulted restaurant are replete with enough tartan to upholster Arthur’s Seat.
DELIAH – CHICAGO
Considering that Deliah stocks around 400 different types of whiskey and is at the heart of Chicago, the crowd inside is surprisingly laid-back and devoid of the usual meat-headedness generally associated with the area. It is a bar that rocks, even if it happens to be playing insurgent country, mod, or R&B in addition to punk, metal and straight rock & roll. They even serve rye here. A hand-painted sign displays two different faces in a mirror: one that appears to be the Evil Queen from Snow White looking southeast and the other being more of a Cinderella-like character, meant to be Delilah herself from the biblical fable Samson and Delilah.
THE HIGHLANDER BAR – SCOTLAND
On the backdrop of the River Spey, the Highlander Bar retains its quaint old village inn aura, offering its customers more than 400 varieties of whiskey including a large number of Single Cask Malt whiskeys. It’s a popular tourist destination being 7 miles from the whisky tours at the Cardhu Distillery, and 8 miles from the historic Knockando Woolmill. They have one of the largest selections of Japanese whiskies available outside South East Asia, and a good selection of malt whiskies from other parts of the world as well.
MALT VAULT- SINGAPORE
Its Singapore’s best kept secret that is a popular haunt for both men and women alike. Malt Vault, the year old night spot in Singapore’s Bay area, is a hidden gem for whiskey lovers offering some of the finest whiskies in the world. Malt Vault is probably the only nightspot that specialises in single malt Scottish whiskies. On offer are some rare gems like 1965 Invergorden, 1967 Strathisla, 1968 Bunnahabhain, 1966 & 1979 Glenfarclas, 1981 Caol Ila, 1981 Brora, and 1981 North Port. There are only a handful of bottles of these whiskies left so taste them before they disappear forever.
THE APOTHECARY AUSTRALIA
It is not the sort of bar to meet a bunch of pals before dinner but rather a place where the drinks are the focus instead of the conversation. It’s a salon really with a handful of seats which actually gets you undivided attention. The drinks list is structured in four flights that are served one after the other. It’s a dinky space, tucked behind a curtain, decked out with lab glassware, lamps and oddments. But if you want to come away from your evening on the tiles shaken and stirred in new ways, this might just be the bar for you.
VAULT- THE MARRIOT DUBAI
Vault enjoys the advantage of being perched on the tallest hotel in the world and thus offers a stunning view. The bar gets its name from the heavy bank safe-style doors that mark the venue’s imposing entrance creating a sense of ceremony. The décor is primarily of black and gold – imposing and rich. The staff is well informed and there is an impressive Russian menu on offer besides scores of different brands from around the world.
HARBOUR INN- ISLAY
The breathtaking view of the Bowmore Bay is the stellar charm of The Harbour Inn with spectacular views across Loch Indaal towards Jura. The Harbour Inn offers one of the finest larders and the best of single malts that Islay has to offer. The menu is contemporary Scottish cuisine. Dishes are freshly cooked to order in this award-winning island restaurant that offers a superb range of fresh seafood, game, beef, lamb and clever desserts. Freshly landed langoustines, hand-dived scallops or home grown oysters are regularly served up. All that is combined with Ale from the local Brewery or a dram from one of the eight distilleries on Islay. Recently bought and refurbished by the Bowmore family the award-winning hotel and restaurant boasts seven suite bedrooms and is a popular destination for both visitors and island residents alike.
THE ALBANNACH- EDINBURGH
Whether it’s the 220 malt whiskies lined up behind the long central classy bar or the irresistible Scottish menu, Albannach is a hot favourite with the locals and tourists alike. Its highland hospitality at its best on Royal Mile road with The Albanach offering a sophisticated city-centre celebration of Scotland. Having a dedicated restaurant at the back and a traditional Scottish pub at the front, it manages to be both relaxed and a little bit special. There’s more to The Albanach than whisky. For a start, it offers Belhaven real ales, the occasional guest ale, four draught lagers and seasonal drinks such as mulled cider in winter.
