Award-winning cocktail bar relocates to Duxton Hill after lease dispute in Chinatown.
Singapore – Just days after earning a spot on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars list, Sago House will be relocating from its current location on Sago Street in Chinatown. The cocktail bar, which opened in June 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will close its doors on November 4, before setting up at its new venue in Duxton Hill.
Despite its recent accolade as the 32nd bar in the world on October 17, 2023, the bar could not come to terms with its landlord over a lease extension. The team had been hoping to continue their operation in the current location, which had become a popular haunt for regulars and newcomers alike. However, after the landlord refused a lease renewal, the team was given only two weeks to vacate.
Sago House’s team – founders Desiree Jane Silva, Abhishek Cherian George, and Jay Gray – managed to negotiate a three-month extension, allowing them to complete the transition. The new venue, previously occupied by the now-closed cocktail bar Nemesis, is located in Duxton Hill and is set to officially open after a few weeks of preparation.
The owners of Sago House, who had already overcome several challenges, including a brief closure due to pandemic restrictions and a revocation of their license, are optimistic about the new location. The new space is designed to maintain the bar’s intimate and personal touch, featuring the famous stained-glass windows displaying their weekly rotating cocktail menu.
The team is determined to retain the neighborhood feel that made Sago House popular, despite its rise in international recognition. Ms. Silva and Mr. Gray emphasized that while being listed on the World’s 50 Best Bars was an honor, the bar’s identity would remain unchanged.
Sago House’s move comes amidst rising challenges in the local food and beverage industry, where increasing rental costs and market competition have forced several other bars to close. Despite these hardships, the team remains optimistic about the future and is looking forward to welcoming new and returning customers to the new Duxton Hill location.
