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When the Dubliner came to Singapore, the owners chose
for their premises a magnificent, early 20th century colonial house,
originally called Oxley Mansion, which was more recently the Orchard
School of Arts. They've filled it so tastefully with artifacts and atmosphere
that it's surely destined to become one of Southeast Asia's classic
bars - at once stunningly beautiful, yet comfortable and friendly.
The old Sino-Portuguese house has an interior of all
natural materials - stone, brick, wood, copper and marble. The waxed
floors are now a signature feature of the Dubliner, having been established
in the original Bangkok venue.
Approach the Singapore bar from the front, and you'll
be greeted by a palm-lined terrace of people taking in the night air
over cocktails – it’s an invitation inside you'll be pleased to accept.
The oudoors theme is continued at the rear of the bar where revellers
have the stunning addition of a false night sky – the midnight blue
lights set in the courtyard of the adjacent building are reflected in
its glass roofing, a sparkling faux astral panorama that puts the real
sky to shame. Next to the tables is a sloping marble wall with cooling
water running over its surface.
Inside the two storey building, all the action downstairs
revolves around the central bar, with the high tables and stools around
the pool table another Dubliner signature. In the lounge areas the seating
is leather.
Upstairs, the ceiling has been ripped out to reveal
the rafters and the internal wsalls have been knocked down to make a
square room with heavy leather couches and cute wall decorations of
wooden tribal artifacts mounted on slate. The shield-shaped copper light
shades have an Arabic design that suits Singapore's multi-ethnic mix.
The plain plankboard bench tables and brickwork counter with fitted
wooden wine racks offset the metal and leather deliciously. Low lights
add to the languorous luxury, enhanced by overhead fans exuding a veneer
of steamy tropical heat.
A central square balcony of wood and copper rails overlooks
the bar below through a false ceiling of glass. Above it a Gothic chandelier
of mock candelabra hangs by a heavy chain from the ceiling, its iron
framework wildly flayed, like the hair of Medusa.
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| Main Bar |
Mezzanine |
Pool Room |
Terrace |
Around the walls are prints of colourful pastels and
Martin Lavery paintings constructed like simple woodcuts - faceless
people, as if in a child’s jigsaw, very effectively showing scenes of
Irish life - the band sitting round a pub table playing for drinks;
the accordion, bodrun, fiddle and pipe tuneful between sups of Guinness.
The Dubliner Singapore is a truly lifting experience, an ambiance that
will enhance any occasion, be it with friends or business partners,
but, especially, with lovers, for this is a bar made by romantics, straight
from the heart. |
