Hi-Fi Habitat: Cosy Up To The Music At Bar Bon Funk, An Audiophile’s Dream
(Credit: All images courtesy of Bar Bon Funk)
It’s the living room of your dreams. Hidden behind an unassuming entrance on the second floor of New Bahru, Bar Bon Funk is bathed in warm, low lights, with wood panelling lining the walls, plush chairs and a glimmering marble bartop. There’s music gently permeating the air, present but never intrusive amidst the aural tapestry of bright laughter, lively conversation and the clinking of glasses.
But don’t let this homey vibe fool you. The brainchild of chef-owner Keirin Buck and the sister bar to beloved wine bar Le Bon Funk, this self-proclaimed “buzzy neighbourhood cocktail bar with a soft spot for Hi-Fi sound” is a carefully curated, thoughtfully crafted space, optimised for maximum comfort.
Its modest entrance hides the cosiness inside
Central to this inviting atmosphere is Bar Bon Funk’s stellar audio experience, achieved through vintage McIntosh amplifiers and custom Altec A5 speakers, designed in partnership with Fritz Yonathan of Indonesia’s Peels Records & Bar, alongside a turntable and a custom mixer. In this set-up, the Altec A5 is certainly its crown jewel. Initially designed for cinemas—its alternative name is the “Voice of the Theatre”—these speakers are now highly coveted by audiophiles for small to medium-sized spaces. So, it’s no surprise that these speakers truly shine in this intimate 47-seater, offering a beautifully open sound stage that’s crisp and clear no matter where you’re situated; a far cry from the muddy, boomy, bass-overloaded sounds that several nightlife spots favour. Further into the bar lies the Private Dining Room, itself possessing a lovely set-up of a Nakamichi cassette player with speakers built by Castro from Berlin-based studio H.A.N.D. HiFi.
Bar Bon Funk is a haven for audiophiles who love slick design sensibilities
Most days, curated playlists of funk, soul, jazz, R&B and lo-fi hip-hop flows through the Altec speakers, but on Saturdays from 9pm till late, Bar Bon Funk is injected with fresh energy through live mixes and thrumming beats by homegrown DJs, names and entities well-loved in the live music circuit: Darker Than Wax, North East Social Club, Bongomann, Leland (who runs the musical programming), just to name a few.
The drink menu is kept short and focused, with signatures like +1 for Oat, a delightfully rich coffee-based drink which includes a housemade coffee liqueur and a blend of five non-dairy milks; Yeastside, funky and tart with housemade amaro and vermouth, and not forgetting the crowd favourite, the refreshing gin-based Morning Cartoons. For classic cocktails, the Gimlet is a standout with its herbaceous tinge of green sorrel, as well as the perfectly balanced Negroni. The food menu switches up every few months, but a must-try if available is the Parisian Gnocchi, White Corn and Chanterelles—scrumptious and perfectly textured, so good that you won’t want to share it.
The drinks and bites are just as pretty as the space
All in all, the space does live up to its promise of feeling like a friend’s home—keeping in mind that this friend in question has the means to fulfil their audiophile dreams. Warm, welcoming and helmed by a brilliant front-of-house team, you’d never really feel out of place here. Whether you’re an audiophile or simply seeking a sophisticated yet relaxed escape, Bar Bon Funk promises an evening for the senses.
Bar Bon Funk, #02-01 New Bahru, Block 46 Kim Yam Rd, Singapore 239351. Follow Bar Bon Funk on socials for more information.
This contributor feature was written by Sara Lau.
Sara Lau is an arts lover, caffeine addict, and serial procrastinator. She has written for platforms such as Art & Market and Esplanade Offstage, and is currently focused on honing her skills in writing about music.
