This year has no doubt been an eventful one for Capella Singapore. In March, the Sentosa venue hosted Taylor Swift when she came for her Eras Tour. More recently, it underwent a major renovation that updated various spaces throughout the hotel. Part of that refresh included the launch of a new bar, The Pineapple Room.
Though it draws inspiration from Sentosa’s past life as a pineapple plantation, The Pineapple Room is by no means dated. Eschewing the obvious references for more subtle touches, the interiors could fit right in with any other contemporary upscale watering hole. So, no, you won’t find a massive pineapple sprouting out from behind the bar, but you will see (tasteful) botanical motifs on upholstery and wall art.
The plantation references are certainly more overt in the drinks here. Expect loads of tropical fruit, especially the eponymous pineapple, as well as familiar herbs and spices like curry leaves.
The Triple P ($24++), a spin on a margarita, is The Pineapple Room’s signature drink. It’s expectedly light and refreshing, in large part thanks to the base of pineapple juice. Reposado tequila adds a subtle woody note to the drink, while a chilli salt rim adds a much-needed kick. For those looking to lay off the alcohol, there’s also a zero-proof version, The Pinery ($18++).
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Following this is another pineapple-infused drink, the Queen of Spice ($26++), which elevates pineapple rum and apricot liqueur with a punch of cardamom. It’s certainly more spirit-forward than the Triple P, though it retains a sweetness and fruitiness that make it easy to sip.
We wrap things up with an Arctic Circle ($32++), a gin-based cocktail that calls to mind a dry martini (it even comes with a lemon twist). Here, strong herbal notes from Strega liqueur — which is itself made with some 70 ingredients — and fino sherry give the drink a mature vibe.
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The bites at The Pineapple Room are also worth a try. We like the chili crab pie tee ($25++), with housemade pie tee shells that put the usual oily messes to shame, and the pan-fried scallops ($35++), which come atop a bed of unctuous ginger flower-pineapple sauce.
Drinking-game lovers may be glad to know that The Pineapple Room has created its own game, Room for Conversation. This thoughtful twist on Truth or Dare has players rolling dice, picking cards with the corresponding icon, and answering questions like “What’s the biggest ‘what-if’ in your life?”. Those refusing to answer can, in classic bar game fashion, help themselves to a swig of their drink before the game progresses.
Past-meets-present is hardly a new proposition for a venue’s theme. Such an idea runs the risk of looking more passé than refreshed, but The Pineapple Room has managed to strike a balance here. The drinks stand well enough on their own, and the venue’s plenty of fun, so you’re bound to have a good time, even if history isn’t quite your schtick.
