Marian Beke - One Night Only

For those familiar with the bar scene in London, you would probably know of Marian Beke who helms Nightjar. His cocktail creations are like haute couture, exquisite and one-of-a-kind. I thought I have seen all kinds of cocktails, but I guess I ain't seen nothing yet till I try one of Marian's creations. It's time to shake up the bar scene in Singapore and evolve beyond fresh fruit cocktails (that's so ordinary now).

So who is Marian Beke? He made his name as a bartender while working with Ago Perone at the famed Montgomery Place. When Ago left, Marian helmed the bar and went on to win numerous awards for its cocktail menu. After which he moved on to Artesian Bar at Langhan Hotel and led the bar to being nominated in the 'World Best Hotel Bar' category in the Tales of Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans. Today, he helms Nightjar but also travels around the world to train, teach and head seminars.



For one night only, Marian will be at B28 to showcase his creations of luxury cocktails. Do make a reservation early to avoid disappointment.



The creations for the night will be kept as a secret and will only be revealed on the day itself. However, here's a look at the cocktails from Nightjar to give you an idea on what to expect on 28 February, Thursday. The devil is in the details and I can safely proclaim Marian as the King of Presentation. Expect the unexpected.

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B28 Cocktail Hour Starts Tomorrow!

B28, located at the lower ground level of The Club Hotel, No. 28 Ann Siang Road, has been the favourite hangout of whisky, cocktail and jazz aficionados alike since its opening last year. Now, it is set to attract an even wider clientele with its new Cocktail Hour, launching tomorrow, Tuesday 10 January 2012.


From Monday to Friday, 5.30pm to 8.30pm, B28 patrons can enjoy 15 of the bar’s exquisite cocktails at just $15 nett each (The drinks are usually priced from $22 to $26. Yes, no service charge and GST!). Ranging from the classic Tom Collins — which was created by John Collins at Limmer’s Hotel in London during the 19th century, to a modern-day favourite, the Cosmopolitan — popularised by the hit TV show Sex and the City, cocktail connoisseurs can work their way through the menu with a side of complimentary B28 crispy pork sandwiches.

Cosmpolitan

Classic Whisky Sour

Caipirinha

Aviation

Moscow Mule

Mike Soldner, owner of B28, explains: “B28’s new Cocktail Hour stems from my abhorrence to discounts. Happy Hour at most bars is synonymous with ‘two-for-the-price-of-one’ deals, with everyone discounting the value of their product like it wasn't worth the full price to begin with. I think the way to draw patrons is not by discounting your offering, but instead to add value. And while we are cutting prices a little, the main attractions of the B28 Cocktail Hour are the complimentary pork sandwiches and early piano jazz performance.”

Owner Mike Soldner

Created by roast meat specialists Keith and Kin of catering group Roast & Host, the indulgent Cocktail Hour treats are the perfect accompaniments to your favourite cocktails. The to-die-for crispy pork sandwiches made its debut during B28's media launch and had all the journalists raving about them... and I stuffed my face with them. Forget Morton's steak sandwiches, this is da bomb!

“The Crackling Roast Pork is the perfection of a divine recipe, which starts with the freshest piece of pork, each piece carefully selected and roasted lovingly,” says Roast & Host founder Keith Lee. The end result is uniquely tender, moist and naturally flavourful meat that is followed by an explosion of the crispiest crackling, which elicits ear-to-ear smiles from the fortunate diner.


Besides the delectable cocktails and complimentary pork sandwiches to tempt patrons to B28’s Cocktail Hour every weekday, the bar will also play host to live piano jazz performances by Wei Xiang. Based in New York City, Wei Xiang is one of the most exciting pianists to emerge from the Asian jazz scene. A latecomer into jazz, this trained lawyer has made quite an impact in his relatively short career: playing in New York for the past four years, in legendary clubs - Blue Note, 55 Bar, Smalls, with legendary musicians Joe Lovano, Brian Lynch and Ari Hoenig. His debut album, Weitaminute! is currently under post production.

For more information, please visit www.BTwentyEight.com or follow B28 on Facebook for updates.

B28 - The Coolest Underground Bar In Singapore

B28 has been the best-kept secret among whisky aficionados and cocktail connoisseurs for the past five months since its inception on 28th May 2011. Located at the lower ground level of The Club Hotel, No. 28 Ann Siang Road, its secluded address provided the inspiration for the name of the bar, which comprises the word “B” as in “basement” and the number “28”.

Those who knew of and frequented Malt Valt in the past would know Mike Soldner. Upon closing Malt Vault on 16th March 2011, at the end of its final evening of business in the basement of Screening Room; Mike went straight to work building his newest vision, an intimate bar to rival the best of them. That vision is now a reality. It is B28.

This intimate bar has a capacity for 50 pax. I love its luxe interior design and the exclusive feel. It's a real classy joint and it's a place I would feel comfortable even if I pop in alone for a drink. It's a great place for late afternoon meetings as much as it is an ideal place to chill out and unwind after a long day at work. I am rather impressed that it offers complimentary Wi-Fi access!

B28 is still a whisky bar at its core and is stocked with an initial portfolio of 100 unique single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies, as well as Mike's personal selection of some of the best official distillery releases available today. Besides its impressive portfolio of whiskies, B28 also offers exquisite wines and selected craft beers, as well as boasts an award-winning female bartender who creates delicious, classic cocktails.

Completing the B28 experience and drawing the discerning to this luxe bar is its weekly live jazz performances, featuring the city’s top jazz talents and occasional renowned guest artists. B28 is one of the few remaining venues in Singapore to offer live jazz performances by professional jazz artists from around the world. Titled “The Basement Sessions”, the weekly jazz performances presented by B28 have proven to be another of its prime attractions and are almost sold out every Friday night.

The friendly team at B28 - Deidre Pereira, Aubrey Sim, Mike Soldner. Charming Deidre manages the service at B28, while award-wining bartender Aubrey creates delish cocktails. Mike the owner is the guru of whiskies and cigars who will be happy to offer advice or teach you a thing or two if you ask him.

I love it when a bar uses quality stemware. At B28, the stemware was handpicked by the Managing Director of Zwiesel Kristallglas. He choose all the Schott Zwiesel crystal glasses specially for the bar!

When I saw this plaque, I had a smile on my face. I love it when people make it a point to dress appropriately. There is an old school charm of men dressing up as gentlemen and women as ladies.


For more information, please visit www.btwentyeight.com