Little India may be our go-to for hearty spice-laden meals, but did you know that it is also a spot for fancy late-night tipples?
If you’ve ever visited Apolo’s Food Village, the massive, often-packed pan-Asian restaurant in Little India Arcade, you may or may not have known that it also has a fully-fledged cocktail bar!
Lofty Peaks prides itself as a uniquely Indian bar serving up imaginative Indian-inspired cocktails and dishes.
Unlike the buzzy, brightly lit food court-style restaurant, the bar exudes a completely different atmosphere. Think plush seats, cosy nooks, and ornate gold fittings and furnishings.
You’ll get to experience the very peaks of Indian-inspired mixology, with creations that incorporate ingredients like chilli powder, tamarind syrup, and chai.
My mezcal-loving dining companion was naturally drawn to the Grapefruit Watermelon Tajin (S$21), a fruity and spiced concoction of mezcal, grapefruit-pomelo juice, homemade watermelon agave syrup, and tajin-chilli powder.
Given that we visited during Deepavali season, our cocktail was topped with a stunning edible picture topper depicting the Festival of Lights, followed by a spritz of shimmery gold dust for the drama.
Feel free to top up S$8 for a personalised topper if you’d like your drink to be a really accurate reflection of you.
As someone who can never resist a good Moscow Mule, I quite liked the Mumbai Honeycomb Mule (S$19), composed of fresh ginger, pure honeycomb, and tumeric with “Indian spice perfume”.
This was refreshing, tart, and very up my alley, while also being very ginger-forward — it almost felt like I was drinking something healthy upon the first sip.
If you prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side, the Heavens Bird (S$21), which takes inspiration from India’s national bird, the peacock, combines gin with white peach liqueur, basil, and prosecco syrup.
Classic cocktail drinkers ought to try the Lofty Old Fashioned (S$19), a very nutty version of the Old Fashioned, with peanut butter-washed rum, angostura cacao and chocolate bitters, and perfumed with oranges and cloves.
Although you can take your pick from Apolo Food Village’s extensive menu featuring over a whopping 600 dishes, one must-order is the colourful Dahi Puri (S$8) — a feast for both the eyes and tummy!
Unlike the more well-known pani puri, dahi puri is composed of elements like sweet tamarind chutney, green chutney, yogurt (dahi), and red chilli powder. It is then garnished with yellow nev (a crunchy chickpea snack), grated carrot and beetroot, pomegranate seeds, and coriander, that all help to add texture and vibrancy.
Pop ’em into your mouth for an explosion of flavours: sweet, tangy, creamy, subtly spicy.
We were also recommended the signature Chilli Cheese Paneer Tikka (S$15.90), served in a clay pot with a layer of pastry that was broken apart to reveal tender paneer cheese cubes, capsicum chunks, and melted cheese.
As much as I loved how comforting this dish, it would’ve been better enjoyed as an accompaniment to a more flavourful main, like a masala or curry, perhaps.
Lastly, we asked our server for her favourite snack and were presented with the Assorted Bhajis (S$6.90), consisting of onion, potato, raw banana, and green chilli bhajis. For the uninitiated, a bhaji is a type of fritter commonly eaten as a snack food in India.
Unfortunately, I did find them a tad too doughy (batter was super thick) and not crispy enough, but that’s a matter of personal preference.
Lofty Peaks is certainly a unique addition to Little India’s nightlife scene, so we definitely recommend dropping by if you’re seeking something different for a change.
All I can say is: where else can you sip on proper cocktails and tuck into thosai, butter chicken, or prawn masala at the same time?
Reservations can be made here.
Lofty Peaks
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📍 48 Serangoon Rd, Little India Arcade, Singapore 217959
🕑 12pm–12am (Mon to Sat), 12pm—10.30pm (Sun)
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I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨