Chillout at Balaclava

This feisty, lively pub comes with its very own live-band, and used to be located at Suntec City. Even as early as four in the afternoon, passerbys could see well-dressed executives, bankers and businessmen etc chilling out on the high bar stools having ice cold beers.

At night, the live band would play good music. The ladies started pouring in, and that was when the mingling began.

One day, we heard that Balaclava was "gone"! What a pity.

Fret not, though, they have reopened at ION Orchard - now it sit daintily at the top of the posh mall, offering drinkers great views of Orchard Road itself. The current address is 2 Orchard Turn, #05-02 Ion Orchard, Singapore 238801. The number to dial is 6634 8377.

It still boosts a beautiful interior, friendly service crew and an awesome live band at night.

I really love the glass and chrome concept, and the circular shape of the pub. They have booths on the elevated platforms, but I usually prefer to sit by the window where I could look down for great views. In the daytime, it is fun to look down and look at the people hurrying by, and feeling blissful that I did not need to work; at night, the night views are rather lovely, really. I also find the lazy fan with the interesting blades cute.

 Here is a contrast between the window views of day and night. They used to have the one-for-one drinks promotion from 5pm - 9pm on weekdays, I think. Which was why my ex-colleagues or friends could join me for chilling out on hot, lazy afternoons.

Even without the promotions, I do not find their drinks pricey. It is a small price to pay for a great atmosphere for catching up and relaxing. Their drinks go for about SGD$12.00 to SGD$16.00 per glass, depending on what you choose to order.

Usually I order their smooth red house wine, especially during the period when they newly-reopened and were running the promotion.

Sometimes, though, we would order something different - such as the cranberry juice with brandy (wine chiller or that was what they called it) and cranberry-grapefruit juice blends.

When we got hungry, there were always great bites such as tapas. Trust me, their salmon and oysters tapas are extremely heavenly. Look at the crispy, light pastry holding the goodies on top... mouth-watering, definitely!

When night falls, the service crew would bring on the artificial candlelights. It looks good against the dimly-lit bar and night skies.

 If anyone of you happen to be in town and want to look for a good place to get a drink, pop by. I bet many of you didn't know that Balaclava is hidden at the top of this posh mall, no? :)