Buzz: One of the first bars to open up in this redeveloped part of Singapore's CBD, The Bank Bar + Bistro offers a welcome respite from the stark modernity outside with lots of old world charm.

Décor: Dark wood furnishings, leather seats, lamps and fans that would look at home at the turn of the last century and motifs of Straits Settlement money take you back to a different time. Its high ceiling gives you breathing space after a day spent in a cubicle.

Drinks: A bit of everything. Five beers on tap ($9.50-16.50) and 17 by the bottle ($12-17), over 60 spirits with respectable selections of single malts and rums ($12-28), a decent wine list (from $13 by the glass and $70 by the bottle) dominated by Penfolds and about 20 classic cocktails and shooters ($16-30). Happy hour here lasts from 11am-8pm.

Food: A range of bar bites from waffle fries ($7.90) to grilled beef kofta ($16.90) along with platters and typical international and Western restaurant fare like salads, sandwiches, pasta, steaks and pizzas ($13.90-38.90). The Bank also has three-course set lunches (from $27) which change every two weeks and they’ll begin hosting Sunday brunches in the not too distant future.

Music: Chilled out; which is what you really want.

Crowd: Corporate, of course. But friendly all the same.

Why we’ll be back: There’s nothing too different about the food or drinks here, but what The Bank has is difficult to manufacture—character. If you work in the area or come by often, it’s the kind of place you’d be happy to return to.