Some say the 1980s has the best music of all time. It is the golden era to many who grew up during that period and reminisce the most about today. It is little wonder then that the latest bar in town is themed around this golden era.
Located at Tanjong Pagar, NINETEEN80 is a retro arcade-themed bar that transports you back into the 80s with tons of quirky references to songs, celebrities and video game characters from the past. Co-founders Joshua Pillai, Yafith A. Hamid (YA5TH) and Francesca Aurora Way have definitely created a bar that is different and unique, as no other bar in Singapore incorporates a “throwback” style into its concept. The idea behind NINETEEN80 emerged due to a “need for those classic nostalgic moments we all love” according to Managing Director Joshua Pillai, and the bar seems on track living up to expectations.
NINETEEN80 beckons visitors in with a playful “PRESS START”
Stepping into the bar, you will be greeted with a bright neon “PRESS START” sign, instantly making you feel like you are about to start a game on an old-school arcade machine. Arcade game lovers would be happy to find different game machines such as Pac-Man, Street Fighter II, Golden Axe and many others at NINETEEN80. Players can exchange coin tokens and slot them into the machines to start their game.
The iconic Pac-Man machine
One cannot help but be drawn towards the art piece on the wall; it is full of familiar characters: Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, Crash Bandicoot and many more. The bringing together of all these characters into one picture is sure to stir nostalgia in 1980s video game lovers.
The beautiful mural takes centre stage with an amalgamation of familiar characters.
Cassette tapes adorn a wall, bringing back fond memories of how music used to be played.
NINETEEN80 certainly impressed with a wide array of drinks available, such as Long Island Iced Tea (S$20 for a glass and S$70 nett for a jug), Donna Summer (S$20), Club Tropicana (S$20), as well as the rum and Malibu-based Club Tropicana topped with fresh pineapple, coconut and lime juices with a dash of sour plum powder (S$20). Classic Bacardi Breezers are also on the menu at SS16 a pop. You can rest assured there will be drinks to cater to different tastes.
The bar was kept busy all night whipping up drinks for guests
The music at NINETEEN80 takes centre stage with a mix of in-house urban beats from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Resident DJs Ollie’Des, YA5TH, Joshua P, Paulsilver, as well as Suren and Bobos hold the helm at the DJ booth to shake things up. NINETEEN80 will also occasionally transform into club mode with residents taking guests back to their youth with a line-up of Hip Hop and R&B, Disco, Funk, Soul and House and Urban Classics.
The disco ball suspended from the ceiling really added to the 80’s vibe.
NINETEEN80 is the answer to those looking for an evening drink or a groove to their hearts’ contents to iconic hits. Or, perhaps to those seeking to escape from the present back into the past.
NINETEEN80
21 Tanjong Pagar Road
#01-05 Singapore 088444
Opening Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays – 5.30pm to 1am; Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays – 5.30pm to 3am; Closed on Sundays and Mondays
