Dimple - Singapore

A hidden gem in a hotel lobby that respects the classics by reinventing their foundations.

There is a particular joy in finding a quiet sanctuary just steps away from a crowded heavyweight. Located just a few doors down from the celebrated Nutmeg & Clove, Dimple offers a starkly different experience. While its neighbor bustles with the energy of the “World’s 50 Best,” Dimple—located inside the Hotel NuVe Heritage—feels like a secret being kept in plain sight.

Opened around late 2024, the bar takes inspiration from Chinese principles of Love, Abundance, and Prosperity. While that sounds like a marketing tagline, the execution is surprisingly grounded. This isn’t a place chasing trends with theatrics; it’s a small, focused operation where the cocktails do the talking.

The “Lobby Bar” That Isn’t

The venue occupies a single shophouse unit with a classic colonial exterior that belies the modern interior. Technically, this is the hotel bar for Hotel NuVe Heritage. In practice, the bar has cannibalized the hotel lobby.

It is a humorous architectural quirk: the hotel check-in counter has been relegated to a small corner, effectively making the hotel an optional add-on to the bar rather than the other way around. The space is intimate and far less frantic than its famous neighbor, allowing for the kind of service that feels personal rather than processed. The staff are friendly and eager to guide you, starting the experience with a small welcome aperitif—a touch of hospitality that sets the tone immediately.

Infusion Over Complication

Dimple’s approach to “twisting” classics is distinct. Many modern bars try to alter classics by piling on extra ingredients—syrups, juices, or complex garnishes. Dimple takes a subtractive approach. They keep the build simple but alter the base spirit itself through infusion.

The result is drinks that retain the structural integrity of the classics—the “bone structure” is recognizable—while the flavor profile shifts dramatically.

The Lapsang Souchong | Negroni illustrates this philosophy perfectly. By using gin infused with Lapsang Souchong tea, they achieve a smokiness that permeates the drink without overpowering it. It has the characteristic bitterness of a Negroni but lands much softer and mellower on the palate. It is balanced and easy to drink, stripping away the sharp edges often found in Campari-based drinks while maintaining the complexity.

For something heavier, the Peach | Godfather is a standout. It hits with intensity—the vanilla-infused bourbon amplifying the spirit’s natural character rather than masking it. The genius here is the garnish: a peach whipped cream served with a spoon. It’s not just decoration; the sweet and sour cream provides a necessary counterpoint to the potent drink, allowing you to manually adjust the balance as you sip.

The Sunset Value

It is worth noting their “Sunset & Midnight” happy hour (6-8pm and 11pm-12:30am), where cocktails drop to $15 SGD—a rarity in downtown Singapore.

From this menu, the Rum Old Fashioned was a pleasant surprise. Made with dark rum, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, cacao bitters, and a stout foam, it manages to be crisp rather than cloying. It delivers an extreme smokiness and coffee depth, yet retains the clean finish you expect from an Old Fashioned.

Verdict

Dimple is a bar that understands that a “twist” shouldn’t mean “unrecognizable.” By focusing on infused spirits rather than cluttered recipes, they offer a drinking experience that feels both novel and comforting. It is the perfect alternative when you want high-quality execution without the high-volume noise of the more famous spots nearby.

Cocktail Rating:
Skill: 5 - Excellent understanding of balance and infusion
Recipe: 5 - Smart modifications that respect the classic structures
Ingredients: 4 - Solid house infusions and quality spirits

Overall Cocktail Rating: 4.7/5

Place Rating:
Taste: 5 - Flavor profiles are distinct and well-resolved
Ambiance: 5 - Intimate, modern, and pleasantly quiet
Service: 5 - Friendly, personal, and helpful
Value: 4 - Great value, especially during happy hour

Overall: 4.8/5 - A masterclass in how to modernize classics with subtlety

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Dimple
Location: Purvis Street, Singapore (Inside Hotel NuVe Heritage)
Price Range: ฿฿฿ ($15 SGD during Happy Hour, standard pricing otherwise)
Vibe: Modern intimacy in a colonial shell
Perfect For: Quiet appreciation of spirit-forward cocktails