Singapore's speakeasy scene has a credibility problem. Most hidden bars sit on streets so full of nightlife the only thing concealed is the door. Players Table is not playing on that street. It lives inside Witbier, a neighbourhood beer bar on Aliwal Street in Kampong Glam.
Witbier belongs to Marcus Ezekiel Liow's family. Marcus left, built a career across Antidote, Barbary Coast and MOGA where he eventually became Hotel Head Mixologist. Then he came home. Not to run the beer bar. To carve a cocktail room from its old kitchen, behind a door that says Players Only.
"Coming back felt right," Marcus said. "There's something about building something new inside something that already has history. The prodigal son returns, I suppose."
Walk past the pool table. Push through the black door. Twenty-one seats, warm timber, gleaming stainless steel bar, a neon Players Table glowing gold in cursive. The pace changes immediately. Aliwal Street is the right neighbourhood for this. Dinner at one of the Arab Street restaurants nearby, then a quiet walk down and you are here. It is the kind after-dinner spot this part of town has needed.
Behind the bar alongside Marcus is Jasper Tan, bar manager and co-founder, formerly of Cin Cin and MOGA. Every signature cocktail starts with two core ingredients chosen for contrast and balance. Nothing more added unless it genuinely serves the pairing. No smoke machines. No garnish requiring engineering. No lecture on technique before your first sip.
The Watermelon x Basil ($23) was my drink of the night. Two mezcals, Don Ramon Salmiana and Dulce Infierno, with watermelon, sweet basil, nigori sake and citrus served straight up. The smoke lifts the sweetness exactly where it needs lifting. The basil cuts clean. I ordered it twice, no cap.
The Hazelnut x Earl Grey ($26) is the room's most considered drink. Eagle Rare bourbon, toasted hazelnuts, Gryphon Earl Grey, Oloroso sherry, demerara and Aztec chocolate bitters over a large ice block. Arrives with a hand-rolled chocolate and sherry truffle on the side. Rich and structured without being heavy. The kind of drink you hold a moment before starting.
Worth noting for non-drinkers. the zero-proof list is genuinely thoughtful. Bell Pepper x Melon uses Barnes and Brown Miss Agave with bell pepper cordial, melon cordial, lemon, tonic and soda. Bright, savoury, interesting. The Mango x Bird's Eye Chili hits with real heat from the first sip. These are designed for the table, not consolation prizes.
Walk-ins only. Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to midnight.
FAQs
- Where exactly is Players Table Singapore?
It is inside Witbier, the beer bar at 14 Aliwal Street, Kampong Glam. Walk in through Witbier, past the pool table, and look for the black door marked Players Only at the back. No signage outside. First-timers often walk past it once.
- Do I need a reservation at Players Table Singapore?
No reservations are taken. It is walk-ins only, Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm. The room seats 21, so arriving before 8pm on weekends gives you the best chance of a seat without a wait.
- Is Players Table Singapore good for after-dinner drinks?
It is genuinely one of the better after-dinner spots in the neighbourhood. The Arab Street and Haji Lane dining corridor is a five-minute walk away. Finish dinner, come here for cocktails. The unhurried pace and intimate room are built exactly for that kind of evening.
Players Table Singapore, inside Witbier, 14 Aliwal Street, Kampong Glam, Singapore 199907
