The historic Long Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore, birthplace of the Singapore Sling in 1915, may now cater to tourists—but it hasn’t lost its charm.
Raffles’ spacious tropical gardens, lawns and tree-lined grounds have long-since gone. The hotel now surrounded by busy streets and high-rise buildings.
There was a line of people waiting when we arrived – the wait time around fifteen minutes.
There’s no charge for entry, although you’re excepted to purchase a drink. Many Singapore attraction ticket bundles include a drink.
The bar is arranged across two-levels. Upstairs is the classic Long Bar and reached by an ornate winding staircase, lined with bags of peanuts.
A Singapore Sling is around S$44. Peanuts are included.
Guests are invited to throw peanut shells onto the floor – quite possibly the only place in Singapore where littering is encouraged.
The bar has a colonial planation vibe and we were able to relax and enjoy our cocktails (and peanuts) without feeling rushed.
We enjoyed our visit, but if the wait is longer than 30 minutes, it’s probably one to skip.
Long Bar and the Singapore Sling
In the early 1900s, while men sipped whisky or gin, etiquette forbade women from drinking alcohol in public. They were served teas or fruit juices instead.
In 1915, a resourceful Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon crafted a cocktail that resembled fruit juice but was laced with gin and liqueurs. It blended gin, pineapple juice, lime juice, curaçao and Bénédictine, with grenadine and cherry liqueur lending its now-famous rosy hue. The elegant disguise made it socially acceptable for women and an instant success.
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