Latest news with #BannieKang
Time Out
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Bartender Spotlight: Bannie Kang from Side Door wants you to ST*U and drink her cocktails
Tucked behind a nondescript door along Neil Road, Side Door is the kind of place that doesn't shout for attention – but once you're in, it doesn't let go. Founded by a talented bartender-and-chef duo, this cosy cocktail den (No. 53 on Asia's 50 Best Bars' 51-100 list) is where personal storytelling and technical finesse collide. It's not your typical bar. And Bannie Kang isn't your typical bartender. Our first sip of anything Bannie made was in 2018 during her Anti:Dote days – a time when cocktail-making was more about spectacle. Back then, she was slinging everything from drinks served in fabric-sack lookalike cups hiding baby carrots, to whimsical sharing cocktails spinning on miniature ferris wheels. Bannie's cocktails aren't anything like that now. These days, the 36-year-old has settled into a signature style that's unmistakably her own – clarified, minimalistic, yet layered and complex. She's also racked up an impressive list of accolades, including World Class Bartender of the Year in 2019 and the Bartender's Bartender Award in 2021. And most recently, she's also gained a worthy disciple (and contender) – her husband, Tryson Quek, who was just named World Class Singapore 2025 champion. Seven years later, we had the chance to chat with Bannie to find out about her favourite creations at Side Door, the bar's unofficial anthem (it's a cheeky one) and her thoughts on the latest cocktail trends. Scroll on to see what she's got to say – and don't forget to check out more of Singapore's best bars in the Time Out Singapore 2025 Bar Guide, out now and available for free here. If Side Door had a theme song, what would it be? ST*U by Sophie Powers, from the latest season of American Idol. We chose this song because sometimes we really just don't care. We don't want to bother about others' opinions, we just want to focus on what we do. What is a must-try cocktail at Side Door? Seaside. It's inspired by a classic cocktail – the paloma – but flavour-wise, it's very different. We add fresh watermelon, Amaro, some citrus, and then fat-wash it with curry leaves, coconut oil, and tequila. It's a little savoury, very refreshing, and one of our top sellers. If it's someone's first time at Side Door, we always recommend they try Seaside. What is an underrated cocktail on your menu? There are two. One of them is Shallow Mellow, inspired by a drink I used to love when I was living in Taiwan, called 烏梅汁 (wu mei zhi). It's great for digestion. Our version still has hibiscus and Taiwanese smoked plum, but we also use tequila, peach syrup, and we carbonate the drink. It's very refreshing, but not everybody loves the smokiness of ume. The other is Same Same Salad, a martini-style cocktail with cucumber, basil and olive oil. It's a bright, refreshing style of the martini, but people are scared to order it because they think it's going to be strong. Which cocktail trend do you want to see more of? I want to see more simple, classic, back-to-basics cocktails. Nowadays, lots of people are using fancy equipment and complicated techniques. Back then, when I just started bartending, we didn't have all of that. Just as the fashion industry goes in rounds, and something popular 10 years ago can come back into trend, the bar scene is like that too. That's the reason Bar Leone in Hong Kong is doing very well, because they do really simple cocktails. What's another bar in the neighbourhood you'd recommend? I've always recommended Night Hawk because of the team, the vibes, and the drinks – there's a really great harmony among everything. I love the energy of the bar. Discover more of Singapore's best bars in the Time Out Singapore 2025 Bar Guide, out now and available for free here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Singapore (@timeoutsg)
Time Out
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025: Six bars in Singapore make it on the 51-100 list
It's that time of the year again: Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 is drawing near, and ahead of the top 50 announcement ceremony on July 15, the academy has first released its usual extended 51-100 list last evening. This year, Singapore sweeps the charts again with six of our bars making the extended ranking. We may be two short of last year, but the good news is that we're still the city with the most bars on the list. In particular, we celebrate a fresh face: Side Door steps straight into the spotlight with an impressive debut at No. 53. Tucked away inconspicuously along Neil Road, Side Door is the brainchild of acclaimed bartender Bannie Kang (anyone remember her Bartender's Bartender win in 2021?) and chef Tryson Quek. The cosy space fuses Bannie's clean, minimalist cocktails with thoughtful small plates – and evidently, the judges noticed. It's not the best day for everyone else on the list, with some major tumbles from last year's top 50 rankings. Following closely behind Side Door is Sago House at No. 56, slipping from last year's 15th place on the main list. Pause the panic though – the gritty, graffiti-splashed dive bar is still a long-time favourite for its fuss-free drinks and relentless charm. There's also Origin Bar (No. 60) which placed at No. 32 last year, known for its transportative, travel-themed menu. Night Hawk (No. 77) also takes a hit – it ranked at 16th place last year – but the bar is still making waves with its cinematic speakeasy concept and excellent drinks. Rounding off the list for Singapore: OG stalwart Employees Only (No. 89) slips off its 38th place from last year, and Fura (No. 95 this year, No. 42 in 2024) bags the final spot for Singapore with its planet-friendly cocktails and bar bites. This year's extended list spans 23 cities in Asia and 14 new entries, reflecting the region's dynamic cocktail landscape. The main Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 list will be revealed live in Macau on July 15, marking the first time the awards touch down in the city. Fingers crossed that we'll see even more Singapore bars make the final cut, especially after a particularly stellar performance last year. While we wait, check out the full Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 51-100 list below:
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Asia's 50 Best Bars: 6 Singapore bars make 51-100 list
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Side Door at Neil Road was the highest Singapore entrant on the 51-100 list at No. 53. SINGAPORE – Ahead of the Asia's 50 Best Bars ceremony in Macau on July 15, the 51-100 list has been released, with six Singapore venues making the cut. In 2024, eight Singapore bars make the 51-100 list and 11 made the top 50. Singapore had the most entrants of any Asian city on 2025's 51-100 list, led by Side Door at No. 53. This is the first appearance by the intimate restaurant-bar in Neil Road. It was opened in end 2023 by chef-bartender couple Tryson Quek and Bannie Kang, two well-known veterans in the local food and beverage scene. The remaining entrants all fell from their 2024 spots. They include Sago House in Duxton Hill at No. 56 (down from No. 15), Origin Bar at Shangri-La Hotel at No. 60 (down from No. 32), Night Hawk in Tanjong Pagar Road at No. 77 (down from No. 16). The final two Singapore bars on the list are Amoy Street spots: Employees Only at No. 89 (down from No. 38) and Fura at No. 95 (down from No. 42). Among the other Asian cities, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo were each represented by four bars. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Singapore Live: Is using Gen AI for schoolwork and tests cheating? Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption Singapore 17-year-old youth charged with trespassing on MRT tracks; to be remanded at IMH Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Shenzhen, Phnom Penh and Kaohsiung made their debuts on the list with one bar each. The annual Asia's Best Bars ranking is based on the votes of Asia's 50 Best Bars Academy, which comprises bartenders, drinks media and other drinks experts from across the region. It is organised by William Reed, which also manages The World's 50 Best Bars and The World's 50 Best Restaurants accolades.
CNA
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
From kitchen to cocktails: Chef Tryson Quek on winning World Class Bartender of the Year Singapore 2025
Tryson Quek has been named Singapore's Bartender of the Year in the prestigious bartending competition World Class 2025. Held at Esplanade rooftop gastrobar Baia on Jun 16, the Singapore finals saw six of the country's top bartenders vying for the national title through two challenges that tested innovation, speed, and storytelling. Marco Maiorano from Koma at Marina Bay Sands and Samuel Pang from Night Hawk in Tanjong Pagar were first and second runners-up respectively. World Class was launched in 2009 by Diageo, a global leader in premium drinks with presence in over 180 countries, with the goal of elevating the art of cocktail making and hospitality. Along with the competition, there was a three-month World Class Cocktail Festival where competitors showcased their competition drinks at their respective bars. Besides the top three awards, Ooi Foo Giap from Last Word in Purvis Street was voted 'Bartender's Bartender' by the other competitors for his exemplary display of leadership and camaraderie while Sushisamba Singapore took home the 'World Class Cocktail Festival Experience of 2025' for their bold creativity and strong showing during the festival. More well-known as the chef half of Tanjong Pagar gastrobar Sidedoor, alongside his mixologist wife Bannie Kang, Quek worked his culinary skills to his advantage in a field of 42 competitors at the 16th edition of the World Class competition. He will now represent the nation in the grand finals in Toronto, Canada in September. This win is especially meaningful to Quek as his wife Bannie was the Singapore champion in 2019 and had gone on to win the global crown that year. Quek said jokingly: 'Living with that legacy is inspiring but also intimidating. We didn't have a bet, but there was a quiet understanding between us: Push your limits, but stay true to yourself. That helped keep things grounded. There was no competition between us – just support, and a little teasing now and then.' Quek started out as a chef and had never envisioned himself making drinks. 'It started with curiosity and slowly became an obsession, especially being around Bannie and the bartending community for years. I didn't know what to expect when I joined World Class Singapore 2025, I only wanted to challenge myself, blend my culinary roots with bartending and see how far I could go.' During the finals, participants had to imagine a futuristic cocktail that integrated technology, flavour, form and storytelling. They were also put under pressure in 'The Showdown' round, designed to simulate the fast pace in a real-life bar. Finalists had only five minutes to craft five classic cocktails each inspired by spirits such as Johnnie Walker Blue Label, The Singleton 15 Year Old and the Tanqueray Quek had thought that he might lose in the early rounds. 'I was the 'new guy' in a room full of bar veterans. But instead of shrinking, I embraced the challenge and leaned into what made me different – my chef's instincts, my storytelling, and my heart.' He has no elaborate strategy for the grand finals, saying: 'I want to represent Singapore with heart, honesty, and flavour. I want the world to see that bartending here is more than just technique. It's innovation under pressure, creativity in tight spaces, and hospitality that feels deeply personal. I'm bringing everything I've learned as a chef and a new bartender into this.'
Time Out
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Five exciting new restaurants in Singapore to check out this May 2025
May is looking to be a thrilling month, peppered with public holidays, GE2025, tons of things to do, and of course, plenty to eat. That's right, Singapore's dining scene is heating up, with a surge of openings bringing fresh energy to our F&B scene. Whether you're making plans to dine out during the anticipated long weekends or thinking of where to take Mum to this Mother's Day, there's certainly no shortage of options. We've narrowed down the most promising restaurant openings to keep an eye on this May, from new expressions of Singaporean cuisine to the city's currently most talked-about brunch spot. Here are five places worth booking a table at this month. Find out which are our favourite restaurants of 2025 so far. 1. Belimbing Cult-favourite nasi lemak joint The Coconut Club now has a sister restaurant called Belimbing, located right above its Beach Road premises. If the name sounds familiar, it's because it's a throwback to Belimbing Superstar, an economic rice concept – also by The Coconut Club – which shuttered in 2020. The refreshed Belimbing, however, brings something entirely different to the table – 'new-gen' Singaporean cuisine. Head Chef Marcus Leow (formerly from Naked Finn and Magic Square) tells diners to expect dishes that are 'comforting and unmistakably Singaporean', albeit not necessarily 'how our grandparents would remember it'. The restaurant offers a two-course menu ($58) and an à la carte selection for lunch, as well as a four-course menu ($88) for dinner – not too steep compared to the exorbitant prices at some fine-dining establishments. Look forward to ingenious recreations of rojak, rice-based main courses like nasi ulam, kueh for dessert, and hyperlocal cocktails crafted by Side Door 's Bannie Kang. 2. La Terrace Shrouded by Dempsey 's lush greenery and parked right behind the old chapel that houses Claudine, La Terrace is the latest French dining concept by chef Julien Royer. While the two restaurants share a kitchen, the latter is an unfussy, laidback alternative to the dressier Claudine, and more suitable for everyday meals. Its semi-open design lets in plenty of breeze and natural light, while tasteful earth-toned decor like bamboo shades and paper lamps add to its cosy-chic vibe. The restaurant whips up home-style sharing plates that complement its environment – think half-roasted chicken ($58) that feeds up to three; hearty potato galettes ($18) with pepper, garlic cheese, and wild mushrooms; and tempura zucchini flowers ($24). Oh, and have we mentioned? Claudine's famed sourdough with Iberico ham butter ($8) is on the menu as well. G&T fans are also in for a treat with La Terrace's curated line-up of 25 gins – floral, citrusy, spiced, and even non-alcoholic. 3. Bonjour Ma Cuisine You might have seen this new brunch spot plastered all over social media. From the proprietors of Michelin-starred French wine bistro Ma Cuisine comes Bonjour Ma Cuisine, a breakfast concept with a completely different menu, but sharing the same shophouse space as the restaurant. Here's where to indulge in a bougie – and boozy – weekday brunch, the true Parisian way. From 8am to 2.30pm, find yourself lounging outside at the pet-friendly terrace, or snapping pictures of the charming interiors furnished with red leather banquettes. Must-orders on the menu are the croque monsieur truffle ($25.50), or the croque madame truffle ($28.80), where a perfect sunny-side-up egg crowns the sandwich. Other savouries include the fish quenelle drenched in a rich crustacean sauce ($20.80); the parmesan linguine ($14.80); and the Jambon Persille ($13.50). Meanwhile, sweet tooths can go for a remake of the classic French toast with kaya ($14.50). And those who don't mind a little bubbly can check out the wine list, where glasses start at $20. 4. Firebird by Suetomi Mondrian Singapore Duxton welcomes another woodfire-focused restaurant to its F&B line-up, after bidding goodbye to mod-Asian grill Tribal which had a much-celebrated one-year run. The new Firebird by Suetomi is a partnership between Ebb & Flow Group and Tokyo-based chef-restaurateur Makoto Suetomi, whose yakitori joint Makitori Shinkobe in Japan sees a one-year waiting list. As suggested by its name, Firebird zooms in on two things: open-flame cooking, and chicken or 'tori'. Its debut menu is a 13-course omakase experience (from $188), where guests will get to savour different parts of the chicken, from momo (thigh) and furisode (shoulder), to rarer cuts like seseri (neck) and harami (abdomnal wall muscle). Each dish is fired up at a custom-made grill modelled after the one at Makitori Shinkobe, and techniques range from grilling and roasting, to sautéing and smoking – all done over Japanese cedarwood. An unmissable highlight on the menu is the Soboro donabe, where sautéed minced chicken sits atop Japanese rice in a claypot. And to go down with your food, choose from a handpicked selection of sake, shochu, beer, and highballs on the drinks menu. 5. Vincenzo Capuano Opening on May 17 at Robertson Quay, Vincenzo Capuano is the namesake restaurant of Italian chef Vincenzo, who currently boasts 30 outlets worldwide. His pizzas are known for using 'Nuvola Super' flour – a proprietary flour developed with a manufacturer. The dough is then long-leavened and highly hydrated to achieve a fluffy, light texture. To test the quality of the crust and base, guests are invited to cut apart the pizza dough with a pair of golden scissors placed on each table – a highlight of the dining experience. In Singapore, you can look forward to signatures like the Abbraccio e Mamma, which comes with a ricotta-stuffed crust and handmade meatballs; Tetti Illuminati, with a fior di latte base and toppings of mortadella, pistachio, and Pecorino Romano; and the Napolitudine, where crushed tomatoes, meatballs, and basil take the centre stage. There's also Come Una Capricciosa, which sees cooked ham, champignon mushrooms, and artichokes as main ingredients.
