Gibson

Tucked away on the second floor of a restored 1930s shophouse, Gibson has always been a little off the radar, and that’s part of its charm. To find it, you’ll first have to spot the seafood restaurant Humpback along Bukit Pasoh Road, walk past another cocktail bar (Live Twice) and climb up a flight of stairs. Upon entering, you’ll notice a gorgeous green marble table, lit by the gentle glow radiating from stained-glass windows.

You might remember the bar team’s previous unlikely get-up: tailored suits and bow ties paired with – you guessed it – bermudas. After a 10-year run, the suit-and-shorts combo has since been swapped for relaxed green overshirt jackets and comfy slacks in 2025.

And yes, the namesake Gibson cocktail ($28) is still on the menu. The bar’s rendition of the classic dry martini is served at a chilling –15°C, featuring Roku gin, house-made ginjo sake-vermouth and a pickled pearl onion garnish, accompanied by condiments of pickled pomelo, sliced pickled onion and smoked quail egg. 

The MF Martini ($28) also comes highly recommended. MF, short for “made for fries”, tells you everything you need to know about how this drink should be enjoyed. The stiff pour is made with a 2:1 ratio of London Dry Gin and Cinzano Dry Vermouth, then carbonated overnight to create fine microbubbles that give it its crisp finish. 

Hints of salinity and savoury notes in the martini make you reach for the fries – which, by the way, are murderously good – and the saltiness of the fries, in turn, makes you return for another sip. No wonder New Yorkers call this classic pairing the “Adult Happy Meal”. The best part? Each serving of fries ($10) comes in a generous 300g cone that’s perfect for sharing. 

And of course, freshly shucked oysters from Humpback remain on the menu (from $6 each), still as divine when paired with the original Gibson.