Get bitten by the infectious spirit of Cat Bite Club, offering a sophisticated drinking experience that celebrated agave and rice spirits: two well-loved categories deeply rooted in terroir.

The cat is out of the bag! If you ever find yourself roaming the streets of Duxton Hill, look for a glowing red sign with a mischievous Cheshire cat grin and you’ll know you’re in the right spot.

Cat Bite Club is a newly opened cocktail bar launched by hospitality veterans Gabriel Lowe and Jesse Vida in Singapore! Uniquely, this new bar pays homage to two categories rooted in terroir: agave and rice spirits.

Cat Bite Club founders Jesse Vida (left) and Gabriel Lowe (right).

Discovering the beauty of agave early in their careers, the founders saw similar potential in historical Asian spirits such as soju and shochu when they moved East in 2018 - and the idea for the bar was born. Arriving in Singapore, Vida was surprised to find a gap in the market when it came to bars with a focus on agave and began developing the concept for Cat Bite Club with Lowe, then based in Bangkok.

If you're wondering, the name Cat Bite Club was chosen to highlight personality traits of a cat - curious, excited, a little bit naughty. No doubt, a reference to the feelings they hope to inspire in guests discovering the fascinating categories of agave and rice spirits for the first time.

 The Soju Sprint (S$24++) with Tokki Soju, Peach, Honey, Mint, Fresh Citrus Blend, Sherry, Absinthe, Soda for rice. 

While agave and rice spirits come from vastly different parts of the world and can carry a wide range of flavours, they share many common threads as you begin to learn more about them. From a culinary perspective when it comes to Mexico and Southeast Asia, there are a lot of flavour and ingredient crossovers - from coriander to rice, citrus to chilli. Beyond the obvious when it comes to fermentation and distillation, agave and rice spirits each also have a strong cultural significance, with a deep history in Mexican and Asian culture respectively. The production processes are rooted in craftsmanship and tradition, with distinct flavours influenced by the expertise of the producers.

The Cat Bite Margarita (S$26++), with Código 1530 Blanco Tequila, Siete Misterios Espadín Mezcal, Cointreau, Fresh Citrus Blend, Agave Nectar and Sherry for agave.

Cat Bite Club celebrates the where, how, and why these products are made. Accordingly, expect a cocktail menu filled with drinks that showcase a wide range of agave and rice spirits. This includes the Cat Bite Margarita with Código 1530 Blanco Tequila, Siete Misterios Espadín Mezcal, Cointreau, Fresh Citrus Blend, Agave Nectar and Sherry for agave (S$26++), and the Soju Sprint with Tokki Soju, Peach, Honey, Mint, Fresh Citrus Blend, Sherry, Absinthe, Soda for rice (S$24++).

Guest can also explore reinterpretations of classics through the lens of agave and rice. Each page of the menu features one classic - from the Espresso Martini to the Queens Park Swizzle - accompanied by one agave variation, and one rice variation.

The Pineapple Coffee Fire Cocktail

An extensive spirits list is also available, with around 100 different agave spirits on offer as well as a lengthy list of rice spirits and a curated selection of vodka, gin, whisk(e)y, and more. Guests can opt for a neat pour of their spirit of choice to learn more about the unique liquids, or a sampling flight to showcase the range and nuances.

As for the food menu, expect dishes that mirrors the flavours found in the drinks with a mix of traditional Mexican and Asian ingredients, such as Chili Chicken Bao (S$15 / 2 pieces), Tuna Tostada (S$12) and Chips & Guac (S$9). 

The bright and whimsical menu was designed by Mark Reihill, an illustrator known for his work from world-renowned cocktail menus to comics and more. Reihill worked closely with the founders to ensure the menu feels approachable and educational - equally as easy to decipher for cocktail aficionados as first-time imbibers.

If you're craving a 0% ABV option, look out for a miniature blue cat head on the menu, which indicates select drinks which can be made alcohol-free (S$18++) without compromising on flavour. 

Cat Bite Club

Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 5pm - 12am

Address: 75 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089534

Images courtesy of Cat Bite Club.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team