Harry's, Singapore

A recent assignment to Singapore introduced us to Harry's. All total there are some 32 Harry's located just about anywhere you want go in Singapore. But our favorite was the original Harry's in Boat Quay, right on the Singapore River and just a few steps away from the downtown financial district. Less than 20 years ago Boat Quay was rundown docklands but Harry's led the way to transform this area into a lively nightlife district.

Harry's is also the home of the Singapore Wanderers Rugby Club. Actually Harry's is the heart of Singapore rugby as on Friday nights players from all 10 of the teams in Singapore might just be represented at Harry's. Singapore is hot, it's about 80 miles north of the equator and so it's hot and humid. Luckily Harry's has plenty of Wanderers red beer cozzies to keep your beers cold. The Wanderers also have a discount card with Harry's that gets them a discount on anything they buy and $5 San Miguel beers. In Singapore where a beer is about $14 a beer, the discount is huge.

Harry's is a popular with the ex-pat crowd and the menu reflects the English pub tradition of bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie, with hearty American-style burgers and pizzas and Asian dishes including curry, prawns and Japanese style spaghetti. (No I didn't try that.) Most dinner guests opt for the tables under the tents (it does rain a lot in Singapore) that line the riverside that give you a great view of the new Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Singapore waterfront. Harry's is also know for great jazz music.

Being the home of the Wanderers, the upstairs at Harry's looks like the teams clubhouse. If you are over on business, you can host an event for about 100 in the room too. There is also a huge mural that shows you what Boat Quay looked like not too long ago. Singapore is an island and a country and not that big. One of their nicknames is the Red Dot, for what it looks like on maps. Check out the Harry's in places like Dempsey Hill, on Orchard Street, Chjimes, or the Sun Tec convention center, to name just a few.

Harry's recently expanded his empire and opened The Club, a boutique hotel near Chinatown and Club Road. It's a cool and casual hotel in black and white and naturally includes a lively bar of its own. If you need a room, check it out, or rather, check in. http://theclub.com.sg, you can walk from the hotel to Boat Quay.

If you get to Singapore, stop into Harry's. If it's around happy hour see if you see a bunch of guys drinking San Miguel beers with red beer holders, chances are, your going to meet the Singapore ruggers.

Cheers!
Dave

  Your author enjoying a cold San Miguel beer at Harry's in Singapore. (below) The Wanderers trophy case in their upstairs clubhouse

One of the first bars to open in the popular Boat Quay section of Singapore, Harry's looks inviting from the outside.

Meet Harry, Mohan Mulani

       

A huge rugby supporter, Mohan Mulani has embraced rugby and the Singapore Wanderers at Harry's, if you see him, make sure you say hello.Unless you would rather chat up Kristin, the Boat Quay manager. (below)