Rooftop bar Las Palmas at Courtyard by Marriott Singapore in Novena is a sky-high cocktail oasis inspired by California’s Palm Springs during the 60’s.
The 60’s was a Golden Age for California. Palm Springs, in particular, was the perfect example that encapsulated the abundance and exuberance of the time. Known as the ‘Playground for the Stars’, the desert resort city – which counted many Hollywood celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Elizabeth Taylor among its illustrious denizens – absolutely dripped wealth and flamboyant living.
The joie de vivre of that era is exactly what Las Palmas, one of the newest watering holes to open up in the Lion City, aims to capture and deliver. The rooftop bar and lounge – it’s perched on the 33rd storey of Courtyard by Marriott Singapore in Novena – combines the cheery mid-century modern architectural aesthetic and design Palm Springs was known for with nostalgic cocktails and bar bites inflected with Southern Californian and Pan-American influences.
That it also happens to be a poolside bar simply plays to the Palm Springs theme.
The cocktails at Las Palmas are fun, cheery, and cheeky, even. They are Palm Springs in cocktail form, with a touch of tiki. There’s High Tide Mai Tai, the rum-charged classic perfect as a poolside tipple, or Silver Piña, a gin fizz with pineapple notes if you want something refreshing to wash off the heat of the day.
It gets more fun.
Not-A-Poppy, for example, is a playful and liberal raspberry – instead of the usual cranberry – take on the Cosmopolitan garnished with crushed sesame seeds to add texture and nuttiness. Big Trouble in Little China, inspired by the 1986 movie of the same name and a tribute to the Chinese influence in California, is a gin sour with a touch of mala spice.
Like your cocktails strong? Go for Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, a Mezcal-laced drop named for Hunter S. Thompson’s seminal journalistic novel. L.A. Confidential too, a chocolate-accented rum and cherry concoction. Or Nighthawks, a twist on the Manhattan that’s amped up with chilli and root beer reduction. The latter, of course, is named for Edward Hopper’s 1942 American realism art piece “Nighthawks”.
Don’t miss out on the Tex-Mex and classic American grub. Hot Diggity Dog – an impressive snag smothered with chipotle mayo and bacon bits – will bring back memories of tailgating parties at the nearest baseball stadium during game day, while Clock Out Cluck In is one of the better buttermilk fried chicken tacos we’ve had in town.
You don’t normally think of heading to suburban Novena for cocktails, but hey now there’s Las Palmas for some Palm Springs-style vivacious living.
Las Palmas
Address 99 Irrawaddy Rd, Level 33 Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, Singapore 329568 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 5pm to 1am daily
Tel (65) 6378 0303
Web www.laspalmasbar.com
Facebook laspalmasbarsg
Instagram @laspalmasbarsg
