Bar 84 may well be Singapore’s best-kept secret for a number of reasons.

1. It’s an exclusive watering hole for well-heeled Japanese expatriates and even some Mediacorp artistes.
2. The bartender is fantastic.
3. The Japanese manager also doubles as the bar’s biggest draw by pulling cards out of lemons.

I might be giving away too much information, but for the reasons stated above, you HAVE to visit Bar 84, even if it costs you $150 for three drinks and a plate of peanuts for the experience.

I would never have come across the quiet establishment if not for a dear friend who insisted that a magic show over drinks would dramatically change my life. While I haven’t been turned into Miss Universe (yet) by watching Hashi-san’s amazing routine, I am convinced that he is actually in possession of some supernatural power. His magic skills aren’t just pure entertainment, they are so scarily good that your hair will stand on end. Since then I have been there twice with different people because I love seeing their jaws fall open at the tricks that Hashi-san pulls out of his hat.

Bar 84 is located just next to Cocolatte at The Gallery Hotel. The décor is plush and inviting, and cool jazz is the music of choice. Attentive waitresses take orders from the bartender, who watches the bar while preparing drinks to make sure that no one goes thirsty. While everything else pales in comparison when Hashi-san starts to work his magic, the bartender steals the show in between the magic segments because his precise and stylized movements are a joy to watch.

Hashi-san performs every night from 9pm, so if you want to be bowled over, call in advance to reserve choice seats at the bar counter. Don’t be late for your reservation as there are only ten seats or so and being late for ten minutes will mean waiting up to an hour for the next magic segment.

I will try not to spoil your fun by revealing details of Hashi-san’s performances, but his tricks are extensive and range from the simply delightful to the eerily fantastic. To entertain, he uses rubber bands, lemons, polka cards, a camera and even toy cars. Not every routine is the same so a repeat visit will ensure that you get to watch his complete repertoire.

Thanks to Hashi-san, Bar 84 has grown extremely popular and the tiny place is literally packed on Friday and Saturday nights. If magic’s not your cup of tea, you may wish to get comfortable on the plush velvet sofas at the back of the bar.

Chances are you’ll never watch Hashi-san perform just once. His tricks are so mind-bogglingly good that you’d want to see it again.