Chandu – speakeasy cocktail bar at The Robertson House in Singapore

An intimate cocktail bar with a design drawing inspiration from opium dens and clan associations, Chandu, which means opium in Malay and moon in Hindi, grants guests a peek into colonial-era Singapore when it was a flourishing entrepôt. Beneath the shiny veneer, this period also saw a rise in vice-related activities, from secret societies to opium abuse, which are elements that play an integral part in Singapore’s colonial history.

Positioned as a secretive den where Dr Murray Robertson, a prominent Municipal Councillor during British colonial Singapore, entertains “less than savory” characters such as triad leaders in covert gatherings, Chandu incorporates a similar, “if you know, you know” approach within its inner circle, fostering an aura of secrecy and exclusivity.

At Chandu, the beverage program primarily focuses on cocktails with a tale and market-to-glass specialties. Chandu’s double meaning of “Moon” is used as a play on the menu where some drinks are indicated with half-moon and hollow moon symbols, showcasing the Alcohol by Volume (ABV). Drinks indicated with a half-moon represent drinks with half ABV, whereas those with a hollow moon represent drinks with zero ABV, catering to guests with varying preferences.