A Candlelit Italian Fantasy on Robertson Quay
Walk into Bar Somma on a weekday evening and the first thing that hits you isn't the music or the crowd — it's the wax. A towering candle sculpture dominates the space, layers of melted wax cascading like frozen lava, casting the kind of moody amber glow that makes everyone look like they belong in a Renaissance painting. It's the sort of interior detail that stops you mid-step and sends your hand reaching for your phone before you've even sat down. But here's the thing about Bar Somma: the drinks are good enough that your cocktail will end up getting more camera time than the decor.
The Italian Connection
Bar Somma is the brainchild of Puglia-born chef Mirko Febbrile, who has quietly built one of Singapore's most compelling Italian dining portfolios. You might already know him from Fico Masseria, his rustic Southern Italian concept, or from Restaurant Somma, his refined fine-dining operation. The bar functions as the latter's more relaxed sibling — a place where Febbrile's deep roots in Italian culinary tradition get filtered through a cocktail shaker rather than a saucepan. The result is a drinking experience that feels genuinely transported, not just themed. Every detail, from the spirit selection to the garnishes, speaks to someone who grew up around these flavours rather than simply studying them.
What to Drink
The cocktail menu leans heavily on Italian ingredients — think amaro, grappa, Italian vermouths, and Mediterranean botanicals — but avoids the trap of being a one-note Negroni bar. The bartenders work with house-made syrups, infusions, and tinctures that pull from Febbrile's Pugliese heritage, giving familiar cocktail formats an unexpected Southern Italian twist. Expect drinks built around limoncello, bergamot, aged balsamic, and olive oil — ingredients that sound like they belong on a cheese board but work brilliantly in a glass. The presentation is deliberate without being fussy, and portion sizes feel generous for the Robertson Quay neighbourhood.
- Spirit focus: Italian amari, grappas, and house-made infusions
- Standout ingredient: Pugliese olive oil used in select cocktails
- Vibe: Intimate, candlelit, date-night ready
The Space and the Setting
Beyond the headline-grabbing candle installation, Bar Somma keeps its interiors deliberately restrained — warm stone tones, low seating, and soft lighting that feels more Southern Italian grotto than Singapore cocktail bar. The seating is limited, which adds to the intimacy but means you'll want to plan ahead for weekend visits. Robertson Quay as a strip can skew generic, but Bar Somma carves out its own identity by committing fully to its Italian roots without descending into kitsch. It's a bar that rewards a slow evening — order a second round, share a few of the Italian-leaning bar snacks from the kitchen, and let the wax drip.
Bar Somma
📍 60 Robertson Quay, #01-03, Singapore 238252
The Verdict
Bar Somma is that rare Singapore bar where the aesthetic and the substance are equally weighted. The candle sculptures will get you through the door and onto your Instagram grid, but it's the thoughtful, Italian-rooted cocktail programme that will bring you back. Whether you're warming up before dinner at Restaurant Somma next door or settling in for a full evening of drinks, this is Robertson Quay at its most considered. Bring a date, order something with amaro in it, and let the candlelight do the rest.
