Set in Holland Village since 1993, Wala Wala Cafe & Bar has been drawing crowds of locals and expats alike for some 20 years with with its relaxed and as-simple-as-it-gets-chill vibe and live music. Patrons go to kick back in a lively ground floor bar, which offers six taps of brew (Stella Artois, San Miguel, London Pride, Bitburger, Benediktiner and Singha). With a solid selection of more than 30 bottled beers, including Magic Hat #9, a mysterious brew labelled as “not quite pale ale” (the meaning of #9 is never revealed) and Kwak amber ale, brewed and owned by the same family for 7 generations, it is clear beer reigns supreme in this bar.
If beer isn’t your thing, take comfort in its extensive list of gin, vodka, whiskey, single malt, rum and tequila, as well as an impressive selection of classic cocktails such as Old Fashioned, Singapore Sling and Dirty Martini. The bill of fare looks westwards, and features the signature cast of pizzas, pastas, chicken wings, and more. Our favourites from the menu are the Sliced Grilled Squid drizzled with olive oil, parsley and teriyaki sauce and Grilled Meat Platter, consisting of Black Angus wagyu ribeye (150gm), pork loin (150gm) and lamb rack (3pcs).
Ultimately, Wala Wala isn’t Wala Wala without its live music. The second-floor space sees a melting pot of performance genres that sees an eclectic presentation of pop, rock, soul, acoustic folk and sometimes grunge guaranteed to get your booty shaking and your heartbeat racing. Notable acts include Shirlyn & The UnXpected, Jack and Rai, Tabula, 53A, Reverie with acoustic sessions taking centre-‐stage 7pm onwards every Monday to Friday.
Sartorially speaking, however, it’s not the spiffiest place we’ve been to. But that’s precisely what the charm of this Holland Village stalwart is – a neighbourhood watering hole that is loud, rambunctious, and utterly devoid of pretension. It is a place you’d rock up to in a T-shirt and bermudas for an evening of beer, grub, live music and much spirited tail-shaking.
Live Bands:
From 7pm (2 sets)
MON: Zsa Zsa Scorpion
TUE: 3 In A Crowd
WED: Chris & Diana
THU: Clarence & Jiamin
FRI: Randolf Arriola
From 9:30 pm (3 sets)
MON: 53A
TUE: Tabula
WED: Pennylane
THU: Shirlyn & The UnXpected
FRI: Reverie
SAT: Shirlyn & The UnXpected
SUN: Jack & Rai
The Glenlivet Archive 12 Year Old
Tasting Notes
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old elegantly combines tropical fruit flavours and a floral aroma, evocative of summer meadows. The fresh palate develops into a soft finish with notes of vanilla that confer an enticing richness to this acclaimed single malt whisky. It is considered to be the definitive single malt against which other malts are judged.
Signature aroma: Tropical fruit (pineapple, banana)
Secondary: Summer meadows
Tertiary: Vanilla
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