Established since 2007, Bar Bar Black Sheep (BBBS) is our favourite bistro-with-a-coffee-shop-setting when we need an affordable yet hearty meal. For the uninitiated, it has a coffee shop setting because there are multiple kitchens whipping up cuisines of different sorts. But the convenience is having a combined menu and single payment.
The new branch at Holland Village – its 5th outlet – might just become our favourite one yet, because it is with a Japanese twist and is more like an izakaya; think a line-up of Japanese fare and a wide selection of sake and beers. That’s comfort level 100% – for both our tastebuds and wallet.
Staying true to Bar Bar Black Sheep’s philosophy of serving affordable comfort food in a casual and chill-out setting, every dish on the Japanese izakaya menu is well priced under S$15. It is fuss-free, and the prices are unbelievably affordable, you’d do a double take and wonder if you were really at a bistro or a coffee shop!
And, guess what? Set lunches are only S$10 nett! Every reason to make a trip down to Bar Bar Black Sheep at Holland Village. If you need some recommendations on what to order, we will share them with you in just a bit!
So, let’s recap how Bar Bar Black Sheep’s concept works – you pick whatever you want from the extensive menu, both drinks and food, and the various kitchens will prep your orders, and you pay for them in a single bill upon leaving. Even if you go with a bunch of friends who all have a taste for different cuisines, orders can be placed together and payment can be made together too.
The usual Bar Bar Black Sheep has Northern Indian, Thai and Western kitchens. But at the all-new Holland Village outlet, expect a large Japanese menu of comfort snacks and main courses. That is on top of its Northern Indian Cuisine and Western cuisine, of course. You will be spoilt with drinks choices too, but that is for later part of our story.
BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP JAPANESE IZAKAYA
Let us first share with you some of our favourites from the new Japanese menu. First up is the Teriyaki Chicken (S$7.90) – a unanimous decision among us for its succulent chicken thigh with sweet teriyaki sauce. Nothing fanciful about this dish. In fact, it is not even photogenic! But we assure you it is one item you must try.
There are other teriyaki items that are splendid for sharing too, and if you love scallops as much as we do, go for the Scallop Teriyaki (S$10.90) – plump, juicy treasure of the sea, stir-fried with signature teriyaki sauce, onions and shiitake mushrooms.
Then, there is the donburi section. A good donburi is one that is filling and comforting. No frills too; just a simple bowl of rice and your preferred meat. Among the many options, we liked the Unagi Don. At only S$13.90, it is unbelievably affordable and you get a decent serving of grilled eel atop premium Japanese rice and pickles. We often gripe about the lack of affordable unajyu in Singapore, but Bar Bar, thank you for hearing our cries! We will be back for this!
Other dons that are worth ordering are Ribeye Beef Don (S$12.90), Omurice (S$10.90) and Curry Katsu Don (S$11.90). Aren’t they all so astoundingly affordable?
Over on the yakitori column, we got so excited because, what is there to not love about Japanese skewers? They make great beer snacks, too. Of all the sticks, we loved the Mentai Scallop (S$6.90) best. Other classic skewers include the Pork Belly + Leek (S$4.90), Shiitake Mushrooms (S$4.90) and Ishiyaki Beef (S$7.90). All prices stated are for a serving of two sticks.
BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP INDIAN & EUROPEAN KITCHENS
As mentioned, Bar Bar Black Sheep at Holland Village also has the usual European and Northern Indian kitchens. Oh, how can we miss the Butter Chicken (S$12)? A stellar signature all these years, a serving of Butter Chicken is marvelous with naans of your choice – prices range from S$2.40 to S$6. But of course, we’d grab beer with our chicken too. Now, we just need Real Madrid to score that goal and our nights would be perfect.
Or would you prefer to spend your night with burgers? Hanging out with the bros mean you need badass burgers and beers, and sure, Bar Bar Black Sheep has a list of gourmet burgers. The bestseller is the Sautéed Mushroom + Bacon Cheeseburger that is served with a sunny side-up egg and fries and coleslaw. At S$16.90, this is bang for your buck.
Other Western dishes that are exclusive to the Holland Village outlet are the Seafood Pizza (S$12.90), Crispy Duck Confit (S$24.90), Scandi Salmon (S$19.90) and Squid Ink Pasta with Tiger Prawns (S$14.90).
BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP S$10 (NETT) WEEKDAY SET LUNCH
If you pop by Bar Bar Black Sheep at Holland Village during lunch hours, you will be in for great deals. At S$10nett, the lunch sets are absolute value for money. Unpretentious food with a delighting price tag; this is life’s simple pleasure.
All three kitchens have something to offer for lunch, and the options include Enchiladas, Aglio Olio, Tuna Melt Sandwich, Curry Chicken Don, Grilled Yakitori Don with three skewers, Pork Katsu Soba. There is also a vegetarian set – the Vegetarian Rice with Paneer Aloo Gobi.
BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP DRINKS PROMOTION + LIVE BAND
All you beer drinkers, listen up. The Bar Bar Black Sheep outlet at Holland Village offers Asahi Dry and Asahi Black beers on tap. More booze options include a selection of Japanese single malt whiskies, sakes and shochus.
The happiest hours are on Mondays from 5:30pm to 8pm. It is S$5 Beer Night, and it is valid on all draft by glass. Then, there is the S$39 Bucket Specials of any four bottled beers (except HobGoblin, GreenGoblin Cider, Weston Organic and Vintage Ciders). Oh Jesus, as if Monday needs any more validation for drinking!
On Tuesdays from 5.30pm to 8pm, the Japanese night at Bar Bar Black Sheep Holland Village offers 1-for-1 on sparkling sakes, umeshu, and Japanese single malts – prices start from S$10 nett! All promotional prices quoted are nett, so there is no GST and further service charges applied.
Bar Bar Black Sheep Holland Village Outlet’s resident live band, Dynamic Wanderers will also be performing their favourite acoustic hits daily from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm onwards.
Bar Bar Black Sheep
17D Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 2161
Nearest Station: Holland Village
This post is brought to you by Bar Bar Black Sheep.
Looks pretty awesome!
Hello,
This happened at the outlet in lorong liput which is situated in holland village.
We were a group of three who went to the bar on the eve of chinese new year at around 830 pm. Only indian cuisine was available.
We started to give our orders and we were checking out the drinks in the menu and particularly asked about the diffetent tea which was available and the waiter who was taking our order showed extreme racist behaviour towards us saying ” this is not some indian which you usually drink , you cannot have this tea”
And also while choosing our starters we asked him if the snacks especially samosa was available he said ” we dont have all those” then later when i pointed out to samosa in the menu he replied with extreme condescending behaviour that he never heard. If he cannot hear then for what purpose is he a waiter?
And for everyone else they brought the bill / cheque to the table but for us they asked to go and pay in the counter.
If you do not wish to serve indians or do not feel happy to do so just inform us before entering , we shall walk off happily.
Regards,
Rohith
Staff at Holland Village really unhelpful. Poor service. Unwilling to help make dining experience memorable for our party of 20