No frills cocktails and irresistible drink deals
By Samantha Francis
Lin is short for “shu-lin”, which means ‘forest’ in mandarin.
You may know Tiong Bahru as the hipster suburb packed with cafes in every nook and cranny. You may even wish (not so secretly), that you’re a denizen of this cosy neighbourhood.
But did you know they’ve also got a swanky rooftop bar? Bam. Up goes their cool factor.
Tucked away at the fifth level of Link Hotel is Lin, short for “shu-lin” which means ‘forest’ in mandarin. Everything here is unapologetically Asian-inspired, from the decor to the food and the drinks.
We headed to Lin for its Happy Hour, and here’s why we think you should too:
Wine and dine under the stars.
1. Everything is photo-worthy
Haven’t you heard? Rooftops make perfect photo spots, especially when they overlook vibrantly coloured shophouses and offer a clear view of the sunset.
The alfresco rooftop bar first greets you with a majestic golden entrance, flanked by bamboo plants that run along both sides of the bar — perfect for those #ootd shots if you fancy nature backdrops. Feel free to make faces at the Terra-cotta Warrior sculptures as you stroll past them, cocktail in hand.
2. Their Happy Hour promotions are unbeatable
Any day’s a good excuse to gather some friends for a drink or two. Happy Hour at Lin runs from 5-8pm daily, with draught half pint beers going at $6, housepour spirits (gls) at $6, housepour wines (gls) at $10 and all Lin Asian Cocktails at just $12. Plus, prices are all nett.
Simplicity is beauty, as the 7th Beauty cocktail shows.
3. Their no frills cocktails are a winner
Lin prides itself on creating unique Asian cocktails such as Rustic Sky and 7th Beauty, using Asian ingredients such as chili padi, lime infused plums, dragon fruit and chinese dates. For its fancy names, the cocktails are all served very simply.
You won’t find over-the-top garnish or elaborate set-ups. The 7th Beauty ($18) is a Southern Comfort whiskey-based cocktail with amaretto and martini rosso. It was lightly spiced, fruity and altogether a very refreshing drink. The Road To Ultra ($18), on the other hand, was slightly more spirit-forward and complex tasting, with a blend of gin, vodka, tequila, melon liqueur and pineapple juice.
New on the menu is this marinated pork belly dish.
4. They’ve got new menu offerings
To whet diners’ appetites, Lin has introduced new menu items such as Ox Tail Stew, Lin’s Babe, Lin’s Garlic Butter Mussels, Rusty Dusty Chick and more. The Rusty Dusty Chick ($17.80) features a roasted chicken leg with rosemary and thyme, served with roasted baby potato and carrot.
I loved the roasted vegetables — the baby potatoes were especially delicious with crisp baked skin and fluffy insides. The chicken leg, however, was heavily seasoned and proved a little too salty for my liking.
Fans of sio bak (crispy roast pork), will be delighted with the Babe ($17.80). The dish is a glorious marinated pork belly accompanied by sautéed shitake mushrooms and mixed herb, served with red wine jam and sautéed garlic vegetables. But be warned, the pork belly is served in a rather sizable chunk and it took us some effort to slice it in half, crackling and all.
Lin, Link Hotel, Level 5, 50 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168733, Tel: 6622 8585
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