Bars in Singapore: where to drink natural wine

Drunken Farmer

One a natural wine pop-up that moved between the various Spa Esprit F&B concepts, Drunken Farmer now has a space to call home with its new dedicated space at Stanley Street. By day, the space is Common Man Stan, a specialty coffee spot; but come evening, the place transforms into a restaurant-bar. There are about 80 natural, biodynamic, organic, and lo-fi wines on the menu covering a different regions and price points - from highly smashable pet nats to serious Champagnes. Also of note is the fermentation-heavy menu by chef Paul Albert. Head for the sourdough pizzas, where the dough is precisely proofed for a sweet spot between crusty and chewy. We're also fans of the house-cured meats with lacto-fermented mushroom pickles; their sweet-ish, juicy sourdough karaage with kimchi mayo; as well as the sourdough waffles. In fact, just get anything with dough in it.

11 Stanley Street. Tel: 6877-4855

Le Bon Funk

It's in the name. Translated as "the good funk", Le Bon Funk's progressive, well-calculated approach to both food (think shaved, frozen foie gras and cedar jelly on toast; house-cured charcuterie; and a beef tongue and gribiche sandwich) and wines means an ever-changing list with interesting, yet approachable labels. Head somm Jos Kjer's wine selection runs the gamut of approachable labels, to some pretty out-there stuff, including an orange PIWI from Denmark.

29 Club Street. Tel: 6224-1490

RVLT

Possibly the granddaddy of specialised natural wine bars in Singapore, and owners Alvin Gho and Ian Lim aren't even that old. Drinkers and eaters pack the place out for natural wines, great food, and possibly the coolest playlist that side of town. Get a wine recommendation from the staff, or jump in blind and pick the funkiest-looking bottle — their wine list is a shelf of empty bottles with labels — in true natural wine fashion — that can feature some pretty far-out illustrations. "We just want to have delicious wines that we enjoy ourselves at the bar. Just because its organic/biodynamic/minimal intervention does not make it better," shares Lim

Photo: Jonathan Yeap

38 Carpenter St, #01-01. Tel: 9679-5166

Bar Cicheti

One of the newer additions to Singapore's booming wine scene, this Italian concept also has a spanking wine selection, thanks to sommelier/partner Ronald Kamiyama's —whose  experience spans places like Bar Boulud in NYC and Tokyo’s L’effervescence — educational slant. There might be a fresh, spicy 100% syrah from Northern Rhone (from celebrated vigneron Éric Texier); bone-dry Rioja with manzanilla sherry blended in for a nutty, savoury edge; or hazy, unfiltered and biodynamic pet-nats that toe the line between juice and bubbly in the best ways possible — it's all good, or at the very least, interesting. Go between Mondays to Thursdays and get a tasting flight at $28, and explore wine regions, grape varietals, or styles. Food includes fresh pasta and small plates — get the fried sage leaves and braised ox tongue.

10 Jiak Chuan Road. Tel: 6789-9801