First, there was Sum Yi Tai, the cheeky Cantonese tapas joint. Then came backroom bar Mona’s Lounge — the story behind it being that the sultry former songbird, whom the space is named after, is the third wife of a powerful man. Now, we’re introduced to Eliza, the daughter of said millionaire (or billionaire?).
Described as the “prodigal daughter” whose mother, the second wife, was lost to addiction during her teenage years, Eliza was left to depend on her stepmother Mona. After years of rebellion, she moved to London to pursue her love for fashion at the age of 18, but eventually returned to Shanghai armed with her successful fashion studio to stage a coup vie for her slice of the family business. And… yep, you’re all caught up.
Soap opera-worthy drama aside, the three venues have obviously been thought out pretty comprehensively by the folks behind Coterie Concepts. And if you’re a sucker for a good dose of theatrics, try bar-hopping between the trio over the course of one night.
Touted as a modern Asian bar and cocktail club, Eliza sticks with the Shanghai theme in its menu of light bites, and maintains an aura of glamorous elegance in its decor. From the glass cabinet filled with custom-made ornamental collars to the plush chairs to the gold mirrored tiles behind the bar, the lounge is decked out to resemble Eliza’s luxurious fashion studio.
Half the space goes to the stage, which will see musicians perform jazz arrangements of pop tunes on a regular basis. But when the clock creeps up on midnight, DJ Aldrin takes over with the sounds of house, acid jazz, disco, and nu-disco beats.
Handling the cocktail curation is group chief bartender Sam Wong, who also worked his magic for Mona’s Lounge, with a menu divided into three sections. The Classics features a selection of six concoctions inspired by Eliza’s time in London, with a nod to the Golden Age of Cocktails, while the Vintage line-up gets its roots from the 1800s, and the Signature drinks are connected with Eliza’s moods and memories. It’s all designed to breathe life into the character and get visitors invested in her story.
Highlights include Drums & Sax ($22) — the bar’s version of an Old Fashioned with Old Tom Gin, ginger liqueur, chamomile syrup, honey, and Peychaud’s bitters — and The Custom Cut ($22), Eliza’s go-to when she crafts her famous pinstripe suits, a Highball-inspired combination of frozen Campari and orange soda.
For something fruity and refreshing, try Rise ($25), a take on the bellini with bubbles and house-made strawberry sorbet. Alternatively, the Dragon’s Daughter ($22) is a rendition of the classic martini, blending Botanist gin with St Germain, Peychaud’s bitters, and a splash of vinegar.
Pair your drinks with tapas dishes like pork and wine jelly ($10), tofu with century egg ($10), tea-cooked quail eggs ($12), crispy spiced pork ears ($10), or shao mai with foie gras ($10) for the complete experience.
FIND IT:
Eliza is at 113 Telok Ayer St.
6781-4708. Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 5pm-8pm, Sat 6pm-8pm; Dinner & live band: Mon-Fri until 12:30am, Sat until 1:30am; DJ club set: Mon-Fri until 3am, Sat until 4am.
MRT: Telok Ayer
