Step into White Shades: A Four-Storey Modern Cocktail Playground Awaits!

Christopher Choi

Thirsting for a new place for cocktails and beer? Look no further to your next spot for drinks: White Shades. Located at Boon Tat Street, the site is a four-storey shophouse transformed into a cocktail playground!

White Shades is the brainchild of JiaWei Bai, co-founder of the renowned Stay Gold Flamingo (#32 on Asia’s 50 Best Bar 2023). Since its opening in July, many have already experienced its wide variety of drinks, ranging from their boozy gelatos to bespoke craft concoctions.

“Since young, it has always been a personal goal of mine to open my own space,” shares Bai. “At White Shades, creativity is not just a buzzword; it’s ingrained in every fibre of the space. From the moment guests step through the doors, they will be transported into a vibrant world where each floor boasts a distinct identity, colour tone, and music genre, resulting in four mesmerisingly different experiences.”

Every level of White Shades follows its own unique theme to provide a multi-sensory experience. The first level is aptly named Dessert, and emulates an ice cream parlour by using colourful furniture and decor to adorn the area, bringing a lively, spacious environment for you and your friends to occupy; all to the tune of a playlist of famous hits.

Enjoy one of the many unique selections of ice cream with your friends!

On the menu are 12 types of ice creams; made up of four tantalisingly alcoholic flavours, four classics, and two sorbets. The rest are seasonal and experimental. These are paired with housemate juniper-flavoured cones, along with a list of cold-brewed tea, coffee, and low-ABV tea cocktails — providing a lighter experience of the cocktail programme.

The next level upstairs is Cocktail, where the fun and playful surroundings give way to a sophisticated bar with soulful R&B tunes being played. The furnishings here allow for intimate conversations, with outdoor tables for bigger groups and waist-high ledges for those who prefer a classy bar environment.

Regardless of where you sit, the staff members will ensure that the hospitality you experience will be more than plentiful, delivering exceptional service.

Here, you’ll find a carefully crafted bespoke menu, featuring a range of unique cocktails and fusion dishes for visitors to enjoy.

Titled ‘unRAW’, it is a cocktail menu concept by Bai that showcases the journey he undertook to create White Shades. You’ll find hints and connections behind many of the cocktails served, such as Savi Galloping. It is inspired by the Hermès scarves that decorate the space and the dust stirred up by galloping horses as well as from the venue’s construction.

Savi Galloping, made with Codigo Blanco tequila, paprika, lime, fire water and smoked chips.

Keep an eye out for Bomber J as well, named after the bomber jacket uniform the team wears. This balanced cocktail uses Suntory World Whisky AO, combined with toasted rice syrup and Hinkoi bitters to form this concoction. Meanwhile, the other cocktails on the menu offer a tease of Bai’s plans to iterate on the menu in the next five months.

Featured alongside the cocktails is a menu of bold, contemporary fusion dishes. Created by Chef Hosni, previously from Employees Only, specials include the Beef Tartare topped with a runny quail yolk and spicy sambal matah from the appetisers, and mains like Tagliatelle, tossed with spiced bebek ragu and winged bean, as well as the Beef Cheek Rendang Grilled Cheese with brie and red cheddar — a great accompaniment to the cocktails on offer.

Savour every bite of White Shades’ signature Beef Tartare, topped with a runny quail yolk and fiery sambal matah.

On the third floor, visitors will find themselves in the Event universe. As the name might suggest, this area is reserved for accommodating events for up to 35 members. Capable of hosting a variety of themed events, Bai invites creative minds to fill the space with imagination, vibe and style, utilising customisable ambient ceiling lights that can shine in any colour to set any kind of mood for the occasion.

Finally, the last floor brings you right to the top of the shophouse on the breathtaking Rooftop. White Shades invites you to unwind to the sounds of soulful acoustic covers and live music with the concept of laid-back cocktail experiences. Further livening up the space is a corner filled with games.

White Shades will also serve affordable draft beers and cocktails here, all under S$20, to give guests a comfortable range to satisfy their thirsts.

Whether it’s enjoying a cheery treat, experiencing wonderful flavours and versatile events, or relaxing at a laid-back bar, White Shades promises to have something to suit your senses the next time you need your fix of food, drinks, and atmosphere in one!