29/97-69 Royal City Avenue (RCA), Rama 9 Rd., 08-1402-0203. Open Tue-Sun 8pm-late.
The buzz: The simple and subtle building stands in the midst of bright and bustling RCA. But don’t be fooled by the calm exterior; like they say, never judge a book by its cover.
The décor: The sophisticated décor and dim lighting gives the place a fantasy castle feel, accentuated by the occasional release of fake fog into the first floor area. Downstairs the seating consists of comfy brown sofas and small box-like tables accompanied by tall chairs. All are set together in close proximity (too close, perhaps), which does help if you fancy getting cozy with your neighbors. Upstairs is a little more private.
The music: A combination of indie and hip hop depending on the night. Usually, the evenings start off with a rarely-seen live concert on the LCD screen before the resident DJs hit the decks from 10pm. Guest DJs also make fairly regular appearances.
The crowd: All kinds, ranging from barely legal to office workers in their late 30s.
The price: Cocktails B150, whiskey B750-1,700, mixers B40.
Why you’ll come back: The standard of service is where it should be, the crowd’s friendly and the owners are welcoming. Plus, you won’t get bored with the scenery, as the management promises new interiors every now and then.
