The Hidden Story - Speakeasy Bar hidden within a steakhouse

About The Hidden Story - Speakeasy Bar hidden within a steakhouse

Tucked away in the heart of Katong, The Hidden Story is a nostalgic speakeasy bar concealed behind an unassuming freezer door inside Stirling Steaks. Stepping through reveals an intimate, vintage prohibition-era hideaway designed for relaxed evening drinks, cosy conversations, and intimate gatherings.

The drinks programme highlights bespoke house cocktails inspired by the vibrant Peranakan heritage of the surrounding neighbourhood, seamlessly marrying classic spirit foundations with regional flavours like bakkwa, chendol, and butterfly pea flower. Guests can also enjoy a thoughtful curation of boutique wines, craft beers, and single malt whiskies, alongside savory bar bites and full steakhouse dining options ordered straight from Stirling Steaks next door.

Behind the Freezer Door: Discovering Katong’s Speakeasy, The Hidden Story

Finding The Hidden Story is half the adventure. Located along vibrant East Coast Road, the venue makes no boastful appearance from the street. Instead, visitors make their way inside Stirling Steaks, look for a standard meat freezer door, and push past it into a secluded, warmly lit sanctuary reminiscent of a 1920s prohibition haunt.

Once inside, the bustling energy of Katong fades into an intimate, dimly lit space filled with vintage charm. The bar was envisioned as a cosy refuge for intimate evenings, post-dinner nightcaps, and gatherings among friends seeking a tucked-away spot away from conventional bar strips.

Peranakan Heritage in a Glass

What truly distinguishes The Hidden Story is its bespoke cocktail list, which pays direct homage to the rich Peranakan culture embedded throughout the Joo Chiat and Katong districts. Rather than leaning purely on generic cocktail formulas, the house specialties interweave traditional local flavours with premium spirits.

Standouts include *Baba’s Bakkwa*, a cocktail pairing the smoky caramel depth of bourbon with the sweet, umami-rich essence of traditional barbecued meat. For dessert lovers, *Chendology* reinterprets the iconic shaved ice treat into a spirited beverage, while *Bibik’s Butterfly* relies on butterfly pea flower-steeped rum shaken with elderflower liqueur and lime for vibrant hue and floral brightness. Guests can also opt for creations like *Nyonya Rose*, where Campari and gin receive a layer of smoked thyme complexity, or *Mangorama*, laced with aromatic smoked rosemary.

Full Steakhouse Fare and Nightly Sips

Because the speakeasy shares its home with Stirling Steaks, patrons are not limited to lightweight drinking snacks. While the bar snack roster offers comfort options like truffle fries, cherry-wrapped bacon, and Angus beef cubes, guests can also order full meals straight from the steakhouse kitchen without leaving their booth.

Those seeking alternatives to craft cocktails will find an extensive beverage repertoire. The bar keeps a dedicated whisky list featuring distinctive bottlings like Big Peat, The Gauldrons, and Speymhor 18, alongside curated wine labels such as the ten-vintage Vendemmie 10 Montepulciano blend, chilled Sapporo beer, and craft brews. Whether you are seeking a hideaway for two or planning a private celebration, step through the freezer door to uncover the story for yourself.

Signature items

• Baba’s Bakkwa
• Chendology
• Bibik’s Butterfly
• Nyonya Rose
• Angus Beef Cubes
• Vendemmie 10

Menu

Beers

• Sapporo — Crisp Japanese draught lager available by the glass or bucket of 5.
• Standard Craft Beer — Selection of refreshing craft brews.
• Premium Craft Beer — Speciality craft beer selections.

Wines

• Tempus Two Pinot Gris — Crisp pear and passionfruit notes with floral undertones and citrus acidity.
• Tempus Two Sauvignon Blanc — Fresh and vibrant wine sourced from South Eastern Australia vineyards.
• Tempus Two Shiraz — Red berries, white pepper, and spice with soft, well-integrated tannins.
• Tempus Two Cabernet Sauvignon — Blackberry and plum notes with cinnamon, clove, and toasted oak.
• Vendemmie 10 — 100% Montepulciano blending ten vintages with prune, cherry jam, cocoa, and vanilla notes.
• Monthly Curated Premium Wines — Curated selection of premium bottles refreshed monthly.

Bar Snacks

• Pork Cheeks — Tender, savoury pork cheeks.
• Truffle Fries — Crisp fries tossed with fragrant truffle aroma.
• Angus Beef Cubes — Bite-sized cubes of tender Angus beef.
• Mexican Mid Wings — Seasoned chicken mid wings.
• Cherry Wrapped Bacon — Sweet and savoury skewered bacon wraps.
• Charcuterie Board — Salami, pepperoni, two cheeses, gherkins, and mixed nuts.

Alcohol-Free

• Soft Drinks — Chilled carbonated soft beverages.
• Juices — Assorted refreshing fruit juices.
• Mocktail of the Day — Bartender's daily alcohol-free specialty creation.

Classic Cocktails

• Good Old Fashioned — Timeless whiskey cocktail crafted the traditional way.
• Whisky Sour — Balanced cocktail highlighting smooth whisky and crisp citrus tartness.
• Margarita — Classic tequila cocktail with zesty lime.
• Long Island Tea — High-octane classic mixed cocktail.
• Negroni — Iconic bitter-sweet aperitif cocktail.
• Martini — Classic, refined spirit cocktail served chilled.

House Specialties

• Aromatherapy — Aromatic gin combined with lemongrass and crisp tonic water.
• Chendology — A fun twist inspired by the classic Southeast Asian dessert Chendol.
• Mangorama — Vibrant and fruity drink infused with smoked rosemary for an aromatic flavour.
• Baba’s Bakkwa — Savoury-sweet drink combining rich, smoky bourbon with the essence of bakkwa.
• Nyonya Rose — Bold drink combining gin with bittersweet campari and smoked thyme.
• Bibik’s Butterfly — Butterfly pea infused rum complemented by elderflower liqueur and tart lime.

Spirits & Premium Liquors

• Speymhor 18 — Aged single malt Scotch whisky bottle.
• Dingle Irish Single Malt — Premium Irish single malt whiskey.
• The Gauldrons — Campbeltown blended malt Scotch whisky.
• The Epicurean — Lowland blended malt Scotch whisky.
• Big Peat — Islay blended malt Scotch whisky.
• Scallywag — Speyside blended malt Scotch whisky.
• Rock Island — Islands blended malt Scotch whisky.
• Timorous Beastie — Highland blended malt Scotch whisky.
• Dingle Gin — Artisanal Irish pot still gin.
• Roku Gin — Japanese craft gin infused with select botanicals.
• House Liquors — House pours available in Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Rum, Tequila, and Bourbon.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the entrance to The Hidden Story?

The bar is hidden inside Stirling Steaks at 115A East Coast Road. You enter directly through the steakhouse's freezer door.

What are the opening hours?

The Hidden Story is open daily from 5:00 PM to midnight.

Can you order food inside the speakeasy?

Yes, alongside bar snacks like truffle fries and Angus beef cubes, guests can enjoy full meals ordered directly from Stirling Steaks.

Does The Hidden Story take event or party bookings?

Yes, the venue is available for private gatherings, surprise parties, and events. Enquiries can be made via phone (+65 9692 0678) or email (isaiah@hiddenstorybar.com).

Are non-alcoholic options available?

Yes, soft drinks, juices, and a daily specialty mocktail are available on the menu.

Is GST charged on orders?

The bar does not charge GST.

Tips

• {"body":"Walk straight into Stirling Steaks and push open the freezer door; it leads directly into the speakeasy bar.","title":"Don't Hesitate at the Freezer"}
• {"body":"You don't need to choose between dinner and drinks; you can order full steaks from the kitchen while seated in the bar.","title":"Come Hungry for Steak"}
• {"body":"Try the house creations like Baba's Bakkwa or Chendology for cocktail interpretations of classic regional flavours.","title":"Sample the Peranakan House Cocktails"}

Good to know

• {"payments":"No GST charged on orders."}