I first heard about Bar 84 from my sister who raved about the Japanese magician. I decided to check it out for myself and was impressed by the tricks performed. How it works it there's a main bar counter where the main Japanese magician performs tricks. If all the seats are taken when you arrive, you can wait at the tables behind the bar counter. Whilst you're waiting, Cham, another magician will come round to entertain you will some tricks whilst you wait for a space at the bar counter.

Overall, I had a great experience although it's definitely an expensive experience with a $10 cover and drinks averaging $20. In addition, a lemon was used during one of the tricks and we were charged an exorbitant $10 - $15 which we weren't informed in advance about. However, I felt that it was still worth the experience and told my friends about it and even decided to take my parents there as a treat. Unfortunately, I had such a bad experience there that I will never return again.

We arrived at 9.30pm on a Tuesday and the bar counter was packed with a group of Japanese people. In addition, there were another 5 - 7 people waiting, so we knew we might have to wait till the second round before we got seats at the bar counter. As usual, Cham came by to entertain us with some tricks whilst we waited for a space at the bar counter. After waiting 2 hours, the bar counter finally cleared and we were next in line. Cham told us he was going to wrap it up and perform his last trick so that we could then move on to the bar counter - we were very excited.

Unfortunately, whilst Cham was performing his last trick, the group of Japanese men who arrive after us went up to the bar counter and the Japanese magician started performing. We were told that we could have to wait till the next round, which would be in another 30 to 40 minutes. At this time, it was already 11.30pm. When we challenged Cham saying that we should have been next, he said that yes ordinarily, that would be the case, but in this situation, the Japanese magician had decided to perform for the group of Japanese men who had only arrive 15 minutes or so beforehand.

I don't want to jump to conclusions here, but it definitely felt like we were being discriminated against. The 2 times that I've been there, the customers have mostly been Japanese. I found it shocking and appalling to think that something like that could happen in modern day Singapore! After paying all that money and waiting 2 hours, we were ignored and forced to leave since it was too late to wait another 30 to 40 minutes.

Although my first experience at Bar 84 was great, this second experience and the way we were treated has left a very bad taste in my mouth and on principle, I will no longer recommend this place nor will I ever return again. Although I was impressed by the skills of the Japanese Magician, I was appalled by the way he treated us, his customers, and on principle, will never return again.

This is just a personal experience that I wanted to share with others out there.

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.