Singapore's Joo Chiat commune is pretty much accepted nationwide to be one of the most scenic and vibe-y places - in a small country like Singapore, there's only a handful of locales that vy for that spot. The area in the east of the island is decked with shophouses that form a sort of interlacing pattern not uncommon in other vibe-y places around the world.

Here you'll find all manners of retail and food establishments that could coax even a tension wire to relax. Strolling the streets, with the sunset softly glowing in the backdrop, you feel as though you were entering a sort of dream-like state.

Amongst the cafes, pet shops, ethnic grocery stores, beer houses, you'll find a black signboard that seems almost domineering and exacting with that golden serif typeface that reads "The Cider Pit".

It's open-air, with simple decor, wooden tables on plain floor tiles, red-painted wooden frames that run up half the walls. There's plenty of space here and it's rather breezy with that high roof. It feels like an English pub but augmented to fit the Singaporean context - you don't get many open-air English pubs that feel nearly as spacious, I reckon. Along the walls, there are chalkboards and lots of English memorabilia from watercolour paintings in golden frames to lamps that look straight out of a tavern, as well as brass metal trinkets all around.

Lots of vintage posters too, and alcohol labels that look straight out of the 60's. The staff too are dressed in island-themed shirts, and on one chalkboard it informs me of an offer for a hug from a person named Ben if I make an order - who's Ben?

It's a really nice vibe, it feels nostalgic and relaxed, all around me folks seem to be having a pretty good time, rocking the venue with bursts of laughter.

Ah, so it seems that the man in the pink and black floral shape might be the Ben that the chalkboard speaks of! I'm invited to take a seat by the bar and try one of their house specialties - a Snakebite, which I'm told is a mix of Brothers Wild Fruit Cider and Flensburger lager.

I make my order of the Snakebite, and whilst it's being prepared, I get carried away curiously taking a gander at the fridge - if one were a cider fan, this almost feels like the equivalent of discovering some sort of treasure trove. For context, Singaporeans can probably be split into two halves - the ones who like lagers, and the ones who like cider. And yet, aside from the supermarkets, you're not going to be finding any serious collection of ciders around. Of all three decades of my time on this island, this has probably got to be the most extensive cider menu out there.

Here you'll find a host of traditional English ciders and more modern interpretations - we're talking Aspall, Westons, Taunton, Saltaire... Brothers of every flavour, of course. And if for some reason you're at a joint named "The Cider Pit" and you fall in the half of Singaporeans who aren't into ciders, there's traditional English ales too, from Ringwood to Badger, Timothy Taylor's and Old Speckled Hen. It's obviously English brews heavy, but there's also Flensburger, San Miguel, Little Creatures and Leffe, just to name a couple.

But you have to get the Snakebite, I'm told.

As I regain my focus from being lost in the cider fridge, my eyes widen with some degree of shock as I notice my Snakebite being prepared with Ben emptying a whole bottle of Brothers into a stein - for the less imbibed, that's 2 pints. But if you recall what the Snakebite's recipe called for, you'll know the full bottle of Brothers cider is just one half of it - Ben proceeds to give the comically massive beer glass a good pour of Flensburger lager.

It's so easy for time to almost feel non-existent here as I feel the cool breeze in the otherwise humid Singaporean weather on my skin. I find myself daydreaming looking around the bar, stopping every so often to take a closer look at one of the many decorative items around. I find myself alittle too amused at the three-bottle taps of upside down bottles of Cuervo tequila, Gordon's gin and Bacardi rum bottles plugged into a wall mounted shelf.

As the fever dream like Saturday continues to progress, more folks enter The Cider Pit, making their warm salutations to the staff - clearly, these are regulars more experienced than I am in this cider haven meets English bar meets Singaporean shophouse. 

The Snakebite combo was terribly enjoyable I must admit - it's much more malty and less cloying than just a cider, but also much more vibrant and fruity than a lager. It's a combination I never knew I needed. My stein glass empties out alot faster than I thought, also much more plausible than I had given myself credit for.

As I flip through the menu, I find an interesting combination of traditional English fare, Southeast Asian cuisine and burgers - even if I weren't here for the ciders, the food alone would've been worth travelling across the island for.

Before long it was time to clear the tab and head off, but be sure that I'll be back for another round at The Cider Pit.

The Cider Pit

Address: 328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-03, Singapore 427585

Telephone: +65 6344 5759

Socials: Facebook

Kanpai!

@111hotpot