Hotspot: Club Street Laundry & Hup San Social Club

Founders Donna-Mae, Justin, and June Left: Hup San Social Club

Where are we going exactly?
We’re dining at one of Ann Siang Hill’s most iconic corners, formerly home to Beaujolais Wine Bar. Longer-term Singapore residents will recall a time pre- Covid, when the roads around this area would close to cars at weekends, and the whole stretch was a total social scene.

It was! Beaujolais was there for over 30 years.
Now Club Street Laundry takes its place, and is steeped in history. Aside from Beaujolais, the site also used to house Hup San Laundry, a laundromat that served the Chinatown community for decades. The current owners wanted to pay tribute to the past with the new name.

So, what’s the new concept?
Not actual laundry! Singaporean Donna-Mae de Cruz, Australian chef Justin Hammond, and Korean beverage director June Baek have transformed the space into a knockout duo of restaurant upstairs and speakeasy downstairs, with community at the core. Says Donna-Mae, “It’s a place that has been built from the ground up with a lot of heart.”

An Aussie chef you say?
Chef Justin has serious hospitality chops with the likes of Neon Pigeon and Underdog Inn under his belt. At Club Street Laundry, the food is bold, fun, and offers a taste of home. Think smoky, chargrilled meats, pickled things, and dishes that are comforting and moreish, and delivered without fuss or fluff. Portions are generous, flavours punchy, and you just want to dive into and enjoy.

What did you eat?
We tried the kingfish ceviche with fresh lime, tiger’s milk and avocado, which was zesty, clean, and full of bite. The roast beet and goat cheese salad came with red chicory, toasted walnuts, and a sticky balsamic reduction, while the barbecued cauliflower with roasted prawn head butter, labneh, and herbs was softly chewy and gloriously umami. The charcoal grilled sea bream arrived golden-skinned with a lemon and caper sauce. Props has to go to the garlic mash with fried onions – a simple but special comfort bomb Justin revealed that he first whipped up years ago for his mates after one too many drinks. (I wish I could create such wonders after a night on the sauce!).

Speaking of sauce, how are the drinks?
The wine menu at Club Street Laundry is as eclectic as the venue. Offering an impressive lineup from the usual suspects, there’s also picks from the likes of Portugal, Greece, Lebanon, and China. Cocktails, coffee, matcha, and sparkling tea sodas brewed onsite are also available.

What if you’re still thirsty?
Well then, it’s time to head to the basement. Hup San Social Club (meaning “Harmony Life”) sits dowstairs in the basement, and it’s another world!

Tell us more!
When Donna-Mae directed us down a small set of stairs to the side of the dining area, we didn’t know what to think, but we were met with a tiny, 12-seat speakeasy. Hup San Social Club is sultry, under-the-radar (for now), and packs 20 people max when full. Sitting at the bar, we felt like we’d become part of a secret members’ gang.

Left: Justin in the kitchen. Right: Garlic mash, barbecued cauliflower, grilled sea bream

Sounds vibey . . .
It is. Beautiful bottles winked at us from the shelves behind the bar, the music leaned into 1970’s soul, and the lighting was dark and flattering – everyone looked fabulous. The buzz flowed as easily as the drinks, and for a moment, it felt like we’d stumbled into a slice of Shinjuku after hours. Considering Ann Siang was once home to numerous social clubs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the hideout spirit is spot on.

Did the drinks match the mood?
South Korean mixologist June Baek (ex-Manhattan, MO Bar, Madame Fan) is certainly spinning gold here. Hup San Social Club marks her debut as both bar lead and concept creator, and her cocktails are personal, emotional, and often come with a dash of drama. The debut menu, ‘Do What Brings You Joy’, is a 14-drink journey through nostalgia and surprise. Think Cold Soup (soju, kelp dashi, prune, apple vinegar); Bom Fizz (Bombay Sapphire, mugwort, toasted white sesame, lemon, cream, egg); and the zingy Achar (Hendrick’s, achar shrub, pineapple, lime, Tabasco).

Fancy! What did you go for?
With a sweet tooth, I dived straight into ‘Pumpkin Ma Heart’ – a dreamy mix of Sailor Jerry spiced rum, pumpkin, yam, cinnamon, and coconut cream. And yes, I was officially wooed. Between the drinks, the energy, and the double act of Hup San Social Club and Club Street Laundry, it’s clear this storied location is onto another winner. Visit now, before it’s packed out nightly. It’s clearly going to get everyone in a spin.

Club Street Laundry & Hup san social club
98 Club Street #01-01, Ann Siang Hill, 069467
clubstreetlaundry.com