NYC’s Employees Only to open in Singapore

Credited for spearheading the craft cocktail movement in the early 2000s, the team behind the raucous speakeasy bar, Employees Only (EO) has announced a new venture in Singapore.

Head bartender Steve Schneider who will move to Singapore to man the bar

“We’ve had our eye on the flourishing hospitality scene in Singapore for years and couldn’t be more excited to call this city a second home for EO,” said Igor Hadzismajlovic, one of the bar’s partners who is leading the project in Asia.

Tipped to open later this month in Singapore’s trendy Amoy Street in Chinatown, Employees Only set the scene in the early 2000s for the craft cocktail movement and went on to win ‘Best Bar in the World’ from Tales of the Cocktail in 2011 and placed fourth in Drinks International’s ‘World’s Best Bar’ last year.

It opened in Manhattan’s West Village 12 years ago and quickly became known for its free pours, late closings and raucous evenings while gathering a loyal following of bartenders and cocktail lovers.

Employees Only will bring over some of its New York favourites to Singapore, including Ready Fire Aim – a fiery mix of Mezcal, fresh lime juice and dashes of Hellfire Bitters; its take on the classic Manhattan and the EO Gimlet: Perry’s Tot Navy Strength gin shaken with EO’s own lime cordial.

Head bartender, Steve Schneider said: “The EO Gimlet is going to be one of our heavy hitters and features Kaffir lime leaf in the EO lime cordial, which is our initial nod to local produce, whilst our take on the Manhattan Cocktail honors our New York City roots.

“It’s absolutely a priority for us to create the same ambiance and energy that EO has become so cherished for.”