Long Bar, Nineteen80 reemerge from sobriety after COVID closure

Prominent bars Long Bar and Nineteen80 are back in the business of getting us drunk after months of empty glasses due to COVID-19.

Emerging from the nightlife shutdown that began in March, Long Bar and the ‘80s-themed Nineteen80 resumed slinging cocktails and cooking up nibbles for guests last week. Both establishments appear to be the latest to pick up where they left off as Singapore trials the reopening of nightlife venues with strict safety measures. 

Located in the 134-year-old Raffles Hotel, Long Bar is welcoming guests again with free snacks or bar bites with every purchase of an Original Singapore Sling (S$35), so guests can sink their teeth into either the Chilli Crab Cake or Spicy Tiger Prawns washed down with the tropical cocktail. Not a Singapore Sling fan? Sip on other varieties such as the Sakura Sling (S$29), a blend of sake, brandy with elderflower liqueur; or the Vintage Sling (S$188), made with a collection of vintage spirits from the 1950s.

It’s back to the neon future at Nineteen80, where pizzas and snacks from its “8-Bit Bites” menu features garlic prawns, risotto rice croquettes, and meatballs. 

The cocktail lineup pays homage to the ‘80s with the Cococabana (S$20) made with rum, coconut milk and water and Gula Melaka; Poison Ivy (S$20) made with gin and elderflower liqueur; and Sweet Dreams (S$22) made with single malt whisky, Grand Marnier liqueur and sour plum powder.

Three other bars – Skinny’s Lounge, Bar Kiharu, and Bell Bar – also resumed business last month under a two-month pilot program to ensure safe reopenings. Bar operators have to adhere to safety measures such as wearing masks and not serving alcohol after 10:30pm.

FIND IT
Nineteen80
21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-05
5pm to 10:30pm, Tuesday to Saturday; 2pm to 9pm Sunday; closed Monday

Long Bar
Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road
4pm to 10pm, Thursday to Saturday; closed Sunday to Wednesday

Other stories you should check out:

Skinny’s Lounge, Bar Kiharu, Bell Bar reopen under two-month trial

Brew of the people: Find Ren Min’s new craft bottles at two hawker centers