At the 15th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, the inaugural Bareksten Best Bar Design Award 2023 was presented to Singapore’s Night Hawk. Dive into what makes this venue one of the most beautiful and innovative in the world
“Get lost in your own private universe and let us enthral your senses” is the motto that welcomes patrons to Night Hawk, a relative newcomer to the Singapore bar scene – opened in early 2022 – that forms part of the Composed Concepts group. Located in the heritage enclave of Tanjong Pagar, with just 25 seats including at the bar and in a booth, this intimate space reminds one of the heady days of New York’s iconic Studio 54 nightclub. Chrome finishings, dim lights and luxe elements beckon you to get lost in a throwback world of escapism, all thoughtfully designed by the Night Hawk team alongside Studio DinDing.
Inspired by Edward Hopper’s 1942 painting Nighthawks (currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago), the bar was designed as a reflection on the themes of loneliness and isolation – the loneliness experienced by many in the world throughout Covid-19, and the urban alienation that a metropolis such as Singapore can inspire in its inhabitants. But the unique design that emerged from the team’s conversations around these topics impressed the experts so much that it was chosen as the winner of the first ever Bareksten Best Bar Design Award, which was introduced to The World’s 50 Best Bars programme in 2023.
Innovation, aesthetics and accessibility are among the criteria considered for the award
Created to reward venues across the globe for thoughtful design that goes beyond taste and style, the accolade is open to any bar in the world by self-nomination, with each applicant asked to provide photos, schematic drawings, architectural plans and a video walk through of their bar. After a global call for submissions in April 2023, three bars made the final shortlist – Night Hawk in Singapore, Line in Athens and Sastreria Martinez in Lima. The winner was finally announced on 17 October at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 awards ceremony, sponsored by Perrier, in Singapore.
The competition was judged based on six key pillars of design: innovation, aesthetics, accessibility, ergonomics, ecological compatibility and emotional quotient. The panel of cocktail and design experts that selected the winner includes – among others – Anirudh Singhal (of the Speedx hospitality design firm), Bethan Ryder (former Editor of Elle Decoration UK), Paul Semple (of studio MSDO and formerly at Hassell, the architectural firm behind Manhattan Bar in Singapore) and Shaun Clarkson of Shaun Clarkson ID, with over 30 years of experience designing hospitality venues in the UK and beyond.
A bar to stop time
A veteran of the hospitality scene with 12 years of experience, Night Hawk bar director Peter Chua is clearly passionate about his project and the whole industry. “Night Hawk was born out of necessity,” he explains. “I used those feelings [of loneliness and isolation] to create a space that would be conducive to an intimate, cosy yet escapist aesthetic. However, the concept of the bar is the convergence of time. We incorporate the idea of using the past, present and future into everything we do at the venue – from the aesthetics to the cocktails.”
Peter Chua combines past and present in every aspect of the bar, from materials to cocktails
The immersive experience transports you to a world of car culture, the atomic age and mid-19th-century vibes. Taking inspiration from the 1962 cartoon The Jetsons, which is set in the year 2062, Night Hawk strives to create a moon landing effect – a splash of Googie architecture in the heart of Singapore. Smooth curves, leather-bound upholstery, chrome linings and black marble counter tops with rounded edges accentuate the experience.
At Night Hawk, the goal is to ensure that guests forget about the notion of time and enjoy the moment, aided by multiple eye-catching installations and an engaging hospitable team. There are no windows or clocks present, so it is easy to end up spending hours at the bar.
Chua and his team plan to double down on their current concept of the convergence of time by introducing more high-tech innovations into the drinks programme. The bar started with an approachable menu to that quickly attracted guests from the city-state and beyond. Thirty per cent of the drinks list changes every few months and there is a focus on creating unique flavour profiles. Chua is also looking to develop the non-alcoholic section, which he sees as a growing market.
Drinking the future
Reusable, recyclable and functional – these are the terms Chua chooses when discussing Night Hawk’s future. The trend has led to the introduction of elements such as menus that can be accessed via a permanent QR code housed in what looks like an old-fashioned match box which, cleverly, also functions as a business card for the bar.
The thoughtful design was inspired by themes of loneliness and isolation
Due to space constraints, “everything has a purpose at Night Hawk,” according to Chua. During the design process, he gave good thought to how the team would operate in such a compact but functional space, and has succeeded in creating a venue that is comfortable not just for customers, but also for the bar staff who works there for hours each day.
Sustainability is also at the heart of Chua’s thinking. “We may not be the most sustainability-driven bar compared to some of our peers, but we do put in a lot of effort to be sustainable in any aspect we can,” he says. Among many initiatives, the bar uses edible and re-usable garnishes to reduce waste, sources ingredients locally to reduce its carbon footprint, and uses soda fountains to reduce glass waste. Glass bottles are also reused and recycled.
Chua received the trophy during the celebrations of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 in Singapore
A year and a half since opening, the team is ready to push some boundaries. Being sustainable and functional will always be part of its ethos, but the art of good hospitality together with carefully thought-out drinks form the synergy at the heart of the concept. Night Hawk’s latest cocktails all revolve around the core theme of a time paradox, such as Savour The Future 2.0 – a modern take on the dirty martini where miso and dashi replace the traditional olive juice.
Having recently grown his team to include more young and upcoming bar talent, Chua feels that it is time for the next generation of bartenders to become the frontline of the Singapore bar scene. At Night Hawk, he plans to give them a platform, while he prepares to surprise the world again with new venues as part of his Composed Concepts hospitality group. If Night Hawk is anything to go by, be prepared to be transported into a whole different world.
The 15th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced on Tuesday, 17th October 2023 in Singapore. To stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, browse the website, follow us on Instagram, find us on Facebook, visit us on X and subscribe to our YouTube channel
