Football and ice cold beer come hand in hand. We all need night outs with our pals, and we really would not miss watching the latest football matches. Times like these, we turn to our regular haunts for reliable familiarity and comfort, where we can get our favourite beers and cheers to great goals.

And what if we tell you – on top of all these, there is a haven where you can fill your tummies with awesome food with even more awesome beers, too? Lately, Beer Market has sprung up to being one of our favourite chill-out spots, and with this post, we will make you forget what a typical pub means, and have you rethink and redefine what enjoyment really is with quality F&B.

Strategically located at the bustling Clarke Quay, Beer Market is not your ordinary pub. Or bar. Or whatever Singaporeans deem as a place only for drinks. Beer Market is an institution, a place that is committed to offering a myriad of beers – both classic favourites and limited rare brands – and a menu so comprehensive, and even more appealing than the beer options! Some of the dishes like chicken rice pizza, squid ink fried rice, and salted egg yolk seafood pizza are enticing enough to make us go back again and again.

Beer Market offers its Four Heavenly Kings sauce – Tartar Sauce with a tinge of honey, Honey Mustard, the fiery hot BTH (Buay Tahan) sauce, and our favourite BM Shiok Sauce, which as the name suggests, so good that it is the perfect dip for any dish. We really went all out with the BM Shiok Sauce, and for all we could remember; we ate it with every dish.

There are several seafood appetisers like Fried Baby Squid (S$9.90), Sautéed Pesto Tiger Prawns (S$11.90), but our pick is the Seafood Shooters (S$22.90) – crab meat, prawns and sashimi salmon presented in shooter glasses, alongside a Tiger Radler beer that is to be poured into the glasses and eaten together with the seafood. Chilled freshness and every bit refreshing; this is not to be missed.

More seafood? Go for the Sizzling Salmon (S$18.90) – a huge slab of salmon grilled to perfection. Other main courses include Fish & Chips (S$13.90), Chicken Truffle (S$15.90) and BM No-Nonsense Steak (S$22.90). Yes, the BM Shiok sauce goes well with all of that, too.

And then there are pizzas too. Love your Chicken Rice? Now, you can have it on a pizza! We never thought a Chicken Rice Pizza (S$17.90) would be possible, but there you have it – only at Beer Market. And Singaporeans will be delighted to know that the other tantalising option is the Salted Egg Seafood Pizza (S$21.90). These two creations are the best testament to what Beer Market is about – their alternative interpretations of local favourites will stop you in your tracks and have you see them in a different light.

On Beer Market’s new menu, you will also be treated to several mouth-watering Tze Char dishes. We love having comfort food accompany our beers. Beer Market’s renditions of the popular classics are not quite classic, but all the better because we had a chat with the Executive Chef, Steven, and we understood why. He is always craving perfection, and when perfection is achieved, he takes it to a higher level by elevating the flavours further with the addition of complementary premium ingredients.

Take the BM Beef Horfun (S$14.90) for instance. While we are not the biggest fans of horfun, we were impressed by the generous chunks of sirloin beef strips, and this dish is actually served with French onion soup gravy. So many layers to savour just in one dish!

And we have to admit that the Midnight Seafood Rice (S$13.90) blew our minds. We stand firm on the belief that the simplest dish is the best tell tale to a chef’s culinary skills, and where tze char is concerned, fried rice is the best indicator. While this version of squid ink and seafood stir-fried with rice looked unassuming and mediocre upon first glance, it is one that have us making a pact with ourselves to order it every time we drop by.

Upon stepping in, you would notice from the decor of the place that the concept of Beer Market is highly inspired by the stock exchange. The idea is to buy low and drink high, of course. For those of you who have never been here before, here is a quick guide on how to order beers. On the Beer Market Exchange (BMX), you can find almost any type of beer. Check the TV screens around the bar for the latest prices, which are updated every half an hour. Like stocks, the prices of beer depend on the demand and supply of the market. Needless to say, the more popular the beer is, the higher the prices will go. Similarly, if a particular beer is not in demand, prices will slide.

It is an interesting experience to monitor the beer market while catching up with your friends over good food, of course. And it also gives you a chance to try other uncommon brews – that you might otherwise not try – when they drop to low prices.

There are many reasons why we love Beer Market, but if we had to pick one, it would be their new food menu. A well-balanced selection with a good mix of finger food, pizzas and tze char dishes that pair well with beers – all at extremely affordable prices. Rethink night out, less the busting credit card part.

The casual and relaxed atmosphere, coupled with affordable drinks and well-executed food, makes Beer Market the place to head to the next time you crave an after-dark session to unwind, and when your pals and you need a spot to enjoy your matches.

For the latest updates, go to http://www.beermarket.com.sg/ and like Beer Market on facebook.

Beer Market
#01-17 & #02-02, Clarke Quay
3B River Valley Road
Tel: +65 9661 8283
Sun to Thu: 6pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 6pm – 3am
Eve of PH: 6pm – 3am
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

This post is brought to you by Beer Market.

One of the most widely celebrated festivals internationally, St. Paddy’s Day brings forth much liberation (thanks to Guinness) and hearty food—think Irish stews and Guinness potpies. Here are our pick of the best Irish pubs in Singapore where you’ll have a spanking good time. Sláinte!

Malone’s Irish Restaurant & Bar

With a menu blooming with authentic Irish specialties, it’s obvious that any diet plan will be immediately left at the door. Food wise, popular bar grub favorites include chicken wings ($8.90), beer battered onion rings ($8.90) and crispy pork belly ($9.90)—always great with beer.

Signatures like the Jimmy Malones ribs ($24.90) leave no room for midnight cravings—half rack of tender pork ribs glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce, served with a side of green peas and classic Irish colcannon mashed potatoes with cabbage. On tap ($12.50), get drunk on your poison of choice: Archipelago Belgian Wit, Archipelago Summer Ale, Archipelago Bohemian Lager, Tiger, Heineken, Kilkenny, and Guinness.

Discovery Walk at 313@Somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-28
Tel: +65 6884 9982
Sun to Thu: 12pmto midnight
Fri to Sat: 12pm to 2am
Nearest Station: Somerset

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub

Singapore’s first Irish pub, Molly Malone’s stands proud after nearly two decades of serving hearty Irish delights (and getting people drunk on a good time). One of the reasons why we love Irish pubs is their modest bar grub: scotch eggs ($8) and hot and spicy wings ($12). If you’re hungry, pad down your stomach with Irish stew ($18)—the lamb is braised to tenderness, literally melting in the mouth.

Wash it down with Irish whiskies: Bushmills old Irish original ($12), Bushmills single malt 10 years (both $12), or John Jameson ($14). If you’re more of a beer kind of person, Irish labels like Guinness ($13.50) and Kilkenny ($13.50) are also available on tap. There’s also live music Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9pm.

56 Circular Road
Tel: +65 6536 2029
Mon to Thu: 11am to 1am
Fri to Sat: 11am to 2am
Sun: 11am to midnight
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Molly Roffey’s Irish Pub

There aren’t many pubs in Singapore that manage to make a good slab of tender, succulent barbeque ribs, but we’ve found one. The barbeque ribs ($18.80 per half slab; $26.80 per full slab) at Molly Roffey’s are marinated overnight in a sweet homemade barbeque sauce that’s simply mouthwatering—we recommend opting for the full slab. It’s a well-known fact that the best pairing for barbeque ribs is beer, so we reckon you’d enjoy it best while you’re knocking back a chilled mug of Erdinger Dunkel ($18) or Kilkenny ($17).

Traditional Irish cocktails such as the bloody molly (Bushmill original, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire, pepper, salt and tomato juice; $15) and Irish car bomb (Jameson Irish whiskey, Bailey’s Irish cream and stout) are also available—great as a post-dinner tipple.

313 New Bridge Road
Dorsett Residences #01-04
Tel: +65 6444 5313
Mon to Sun: 12pm to midnight
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub

Carved into the doorframe, this was the first thing we spotted: “licensed to sell beer, wines and spirits 7 days a week” (read: licensed to get you drunk 7 days a week). With 17 varieties of beer available (including English ale Old Speckled Hen and Strongbow cider on tap), it’s no wonder this watering hole seems to be constantly living it up.

Not forgetting its extensive list of over 40 spirits (not counting liqueurs) and more than 30 cocktails (from $15) and shooters (from $13), you know you’re in trouble here. Fun trouble. One of the rowdiest Irish pubs, Muddy Murphy’s is well known for making merry. Having said that, apart from crazy tipples, they also serve an Irish farmhouse breakfast ($15) made up of Harris sausages, crispy back bacon, eggs, mushrooms, rosti potatoes, baked beans, grilled tomato and fried bread, and a weekly Sunday roast (11:30am-4pm; from $20).

111 Somerset Road
TripleOne Somerset #01-02
Tel: +65 6735 0400
Mon to Thu: 11am to 1am
Fri to Sat: 11am to 2am
Sun: 11am to midnight
Nearest Station: Somerset

About the writer
Mandy Lynn is a former I-S Magazine nightlife writer and current editor of Nookmag; her dining and nightlife features have been published in Appetite Asia and Catalog Magazine. For on-the-go food recommendations, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, or join her on a Gourmet Adventure.

“Shall we go and have the best Har Cheong Gai in Singapore?”

When I saw this conversation between my friends on twitter, I knew that I must try the best chicken wings in Singapore that they were talking about. We even created a blackberry group nicknamed: har cheong gai to discuss and plan for our assault at No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar for their famous chicken wings which are marinated with shrimp paste.

‘Food Blogger conned to No. 5 Emerald Hill with the lure of best chicken wings in Singapore.’ After praising the chicken wings to the sky, my friend was a little worried about my expectations of it, and teased me with this headline.

When the waiter brought the basket of chicken wings ($17 for 6) to our table, my brain was whispering to the stomach: you know what, this better be good!

“Dear god, or whoever that is listening, please, please let the No. 5 Emerald Hill’s chicken wings be the best prawn paste chicken in Singapore.” I prayed. I took one by the side, and placed it carefully into my mouth. At that point, I did not care whether or not the wings would burn my tongue and make me go oww. As sadistic as it might sound, I’d probably remember the har cheong kai better if it burnt me.

Anyway, No 5 Emerald Hill’s Har Cheong Kai was extremely crispy. It wasn’t oily, nor was it too dry. The wings were great as finger food, the perfect snack to wash down with a jug of cold icy beer. While they were excellent as chicken wings, one would probably not classify them as Har Cheong Kai since the prawn paste flavor wasn’t strong enough.

While the pizza wasn’t outstanding, it was not too bad for pub grub. Thin-crust, light and not too filling: the excuse for you to eat again after dinner.

The fish from the “Fish and chips” was disappointing. The saving grace was the fries, which quickly filled our stomach.

“Why does the beef stew tastes like salmon?” This was one of the funniest comments made when we were at No. 5 Emerald Hill. It actually tasted like a normal beef stew to me. Nothing fanciful, something warm and hearty to go along with the bread.

* * *

No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar has a 1-for-1 Martini for just $16 (from 9pm to 1am), which is a very good deal. Martini plus chicken wings after a long day at work? Sounds like a plan to me.

Edited (I forgot to include this para): I had a shock when I first stepped into No. 5 Emerald Bar. Everyone was throwing empty peanut shells on the floor. If you want to litter in Singapore without getting fine, No. 5 Emerald Bar is probably the place to go! Even though it was a little awkward initially, the place soon unleashed the monster in me. It felt so liberating to throw empty peanut shells onto the floor!

Do you have any recommendations of any good pubs/bars in Singapore to chill out?

// The Emerald Hill restaurants and pubs are located directly opposite 313 @ Somerset and Orchard Central.

Restaurant Bar Review
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar
5 Emerald Hill Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6732 0818