The Old Man
The Old Man is an intimate, literary‑inspired speakeasy bar hidden below street level at Lower Ground Floor, 37 Aberdeen Street, SoHo, Central. Drawing its name and inspiration from Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, the concept was realized in 2017 by Agung Prabowo, James Tamang and Roman Ghale. It quickly earned industry accolades, including Asia’s Best Bar #1 in 2019 and a top‑10 spot in The World’s 50 Best Bars the same year. Inside, the space seats just 25 with room for around 40 standing—a tightly knit layout fostering conversation. The I‑shaped dark‑wood bar features a central cooling copper strip to keep drinks chilled without coasters—a memorable signature touch. Cocktails come in sets of nine, each named after a Hemingway work and made using modernist techniques—think rotovap, sous‑vide infusions, and fat‑washing. For instance, The Snows of Kilimanjaro (marshmallow gin, lacto‑fermented raspberry, gruyère) or Death in the Afternoon (absinthe, sparkling wine, coco‑pandan yogurt froth) evoke literary imagery in every glass. Atmospherically, the bar feels dark, moody and artistic, with lush tropical wallpaper, marble‑topped tables, hand‑written ingredient labels, and a mosaic portrait of Hemingway made from recycled construction materials. No reservations are required. Open Monday–Saturday from 5 pm till 1 am (extended to 2 am on Thu–Sat), and till midnight on Sundays. Expect impeccable service from knowledgeable mixologists in close quarters—expect strong presentation, nuanced flavors, and a memorable sensory experience.
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