Hi Stranger Opens on Neil Road with Immersive Cocktails, Sensory Experiences and Evolving Menus

A new cocktail destination has arrived on Neil Road, but Hi Stranger is positioning itself as much more than a bar. Conceived as a playground for the curious, the intimate 26-seater venue blends cocktails, design, conversation and sensory exploration into an experience that is designed to constantly evolve.

The space welcomes guests with warm amber lighting, stainless steel surfaces and lava inspired visuals that flicker across the room. At its centre hangs a suspended stainless-steel installation that reflects and amplifies the changing tones of the interior. Guests can choose between bar seating for a front row view of the cocktail making process, cosy booth seating, or the main dining area beneath a skylight that fills the venue with natural light during the day before transitioning into a softer atmosphere at night.

What sets Hi Stranger apart is its commitment to reinvention. The venue plans to refresh its visuals, menus, collaborations, music and overall atmosphere with each new chapter. Its debut concept, A World Aglow, draws inspiration from the acclaimed documentary Fire of Love, which follows French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. Themes of warmth, intensity and wonder are woven throughout the experience, influencing both the design and drinks programme.

Rather than approaching cocktails as a simple order at the bar, Hi Stranger encourages guests to explore flavours through tactile and sensory interactions. Visitors can navigate aromatic flavour maps, sample spirit scent spritzes, and experiment with handcrafted flavour tools that help identify personal preferences. Guests may choose their drinks through guided discovery or leave the decision to the bartenders, who create personalised recommendations based on individual tastes. The bar also offers spirit tasting portions from $5 per centilitre, making exploration accessible to both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts.

The concept is the creation of French born designer Bastien and hospitality professional Roomi. Bastien, whose experience spans branding, retail and product design across Europe and Asia, developed every aspect of the venue’s visual identity, from its logo and menus to flavour maps, bottle labels and digital presence. The bar’s playful distorted smiley face logo reflects its light hearted and welcoming personality. Roomi, meanwhile, oversees operations and guest experience, shaping the atmosphere through thoughtful hospitality and creating a space that feels approachable and comfortable.

Leading the drinks programme is Head Bartender Khalya Khalik, formerly of QT Hotel. The opening cocktail menu embraces smoke, spice, funk and bold flavours inspired by volcanic landscapes. Signature drinks include The Funky Daiquiri ($26), which combines Jamaican rum with lime and chilli, and The Smoky Sour ($24), which layers Scotch and Islay whiskies with citrus and bitters. A dedicated classics programme introduces guests to both well-known favourites and lesser-known historic cocktails such as The Alabazam ($28), Preakness Manhattan ($28) and the 100-Year-Old Cigar ($28). For those who stay late, an off-menu Ramos Gin Fizz may occasionally make an appearance as a spontaneous late night offering prepared by Bastien himself.

The spirits collection further reinforces the venue’s focus on discovery. Personally sourced by the founders, it features limited quantity bottles from around the world, including rum from the Philippines, whisky from Sweden and raicilla from Jalisco. Select spirits are independently bottled and packaged using Bastien’s custom designs, with pours available by the centilitre to encourage experimentation. Hi Stranger has also partnered with Savanna Rum from Réunion Island on an exclusive custom blend available only at the venue. The bespoke rum appears in The Naughty Martini ($26), a savoury cocktail combining Réunion rum, Jamaican rum, gin, blanc vermouth, olive and brine.

Complementing the drinks is a food menu created by Head Chef Edwin Tay, whose culinary background includes Rhubarb and the Michelin starred Nouri. Designed around sharing and social dining, the menu features elevated comfort food ranging from Pão de Queijo ($12), Tuna Tartare with avocado purée and rice cracker ($12), Fried Mushrooms with soy emulsion ($12), and Prawn Toast with sesame and mayonnaise ($12), to larger plates such as Stir Fried Clams with Korean wheat noodles ($22), Black Wagyu Skirt with smoked chimichurri ($48), and Spanish Octopus with romesco sauce and baby potatoes ($48). Desserts include Matcha Ganache with butter crumbs and lime gel ($7) and Roasted Corn Ice Cream with caramelised popcorn and citrus ($12).

Like every other aspect of Hi Stranger, the food menu will continue to evolve alongside future chapters, with rotating dishes reflecting new creative directions while retaining selected signatures that guests can return to time and again. Through its combination of immersive design, sensory exploration, adventurous cocktails and approachable hospitality, Hi Stranger aims to offer a fresh take on Singapore’s cocktail scene where discovery remains at the heart of every visit.