Singapore Flyer's full butler bar in the sky

There seems to be no limit to the number of ways Singaporeans want to have their cake and eat it. The Singapore Flyer, one of the most iconic structures in the Singapore skyline together with the Esplanade, has launched a new and quite innovative drinks service called Sky Bar. It takes the scenic ride of the Singapore Flyer and combines it with a full service butler, fine finger foods -- prepared by chefs from event company Megu -- as well as champagne, wine and beer.

In a nutshell, what the Singapore Flyer folks did was to overhaul one of their 28 capsule carriages and deck it out with chandeliers, a fully stocked bar and contemporary art pieces on the ceiling. New lighting has been installed, together with plush seating and a flexible arrangement that can accommodate five couples or a private session of up to 20 people. Each session lasts two rotations of the Flyer, which is approximately one hour.

The idea's quite a nice one which follows in the steps of the full-butler Sky Dining service, which makes us wonder -- why didn't they think of it sooner? Given the novelty, it's something which should have been done eons ago and make an otherwise slightly tedious half-hour ride a lot more palatable. However, better late than never, as Lindsay Lohan's rehab therapist would say. But the arrangement's unique enough that we had some burning questions answered.

Yes, reservations are definitely needed. No, there's still no in-cabin toilets, so do your business in the VIP lounge before you board and don't overdo the beer. Yes, there's a butler on board who will attend to your needs, serve up the finger food, clear the plates and top up your champagne glass. Yes, the food is prepared beforehand so no last minute demands. No, you can't linger over the view -- two rotation's two rotations, pal. Yes, it's a pleasant way to get the views of Singapore's skyline, and no, you can't be fashionably late for drinks and get on halfway -- you've to check-in half an hour before your reservation.

The Sky Bar flights are available daily from 5pm to 9.30pm and costs S$188 for a party of two, excluding taxes and including drinks. To make the check-in time more bearable, guests are given access to the VIP lounge, where you can also linger after your Sky Bar session.We can also see that it'll be popular with corporate clients, as a quick way to entertain overseas guests and show them the sights.

For the real foodies who like the idea of dinner with a view, there's the Sky Dining service as mentioned earlier, which is similar in concept except with gourmet food. It features the limited Chef Collection Series, with menus by award-winning chefs -- the current chef is Los Angeles' Joanne Purnell, who was named 2009 Chef of the Year by the International Catering Association and 2010’s President of the International Caterers Association’s Culinary Council. The price goes up to $249 per couple and sessions are very limited (two flights daily, on selected days).

getting there

Singapore Flyer's Sky Bar
30 Raffles Avenue, Singapore
5pm to 9.30pm daily
tel +65 6734 8829 or 6333 3311
www.singaporeflyer.com