Mooloolabar

Mooloolabar — which gets more challenging to say the more Hendricks you drink.
Located in the old cycle store next to Katong V and opposite Lower East Side aka the worst Mexican restaurant (cough) in the world.
Sit inside with music, air conditioning and smoke-​free. Our outside, not smoke-​free, warm air but with plenty of people watching opportunities.
The menu is simple with classics such as bangers and mash or fish and chips, some pasta dishes and salads. The food is A-​ok. Typical bar food — nothing to get too excited about but nothing to get your knickers in a twist either.
Since it is a bar there is a selection of beers, cider and hard liquor all at reasonable SG prices.
Service was swift and friendly.
Surely more evening will be spent here.

Not a bad place this bar. The crowd is a big mix of local and Westerners enjoying beers, wines and spirits in the heart of Katong.
Seats inside and out with friendly service and efficient air-con.The TVs play sports and Channel News Asia and can be watched inside and out, although the TV outside is actually inside and facing out with no sub-​titles or sound — odd.
I had a pint of beer (Hoegaarden) for $ 10++ which is not a bad price and it is served in those huge glasses. They also serve Hoegaarden Rose on tap for the same price.
It has a nice atmosphere and is ideally located as a neighbourhood bar. I am sure I will find myself here again in the future after local food from nearby.

From the outside, you really wonder why this place has such a packed crowd. The crowd, especially, those sitting outside almost tempt you to come in. One day, my wife and I decided to see what all the fuss was about.
In my view, it’s not the food, not the beer, but the crowd and wait staff that makes Mooloola, one of the go to bars in Katong.
The wait staff is just simply AWESOME. Bright-​eyed, smiling and genuinely happy to be working at this establishment. In my opinion, the Best service, I’ve experienced in SG in my four years here (that is saying something). The loud energetic crowd, many of whom are probably under the influence of alcohol, makes for a real fun atmosphere. The Singaporean dubbing of 90s and 2000’s Classic songs is a nice way to set a fun mood, but I personally like the originals.
As for the beer, they have a decent selection. The seafood pasta is decent, not mindblowing.
In short, if you want a great time with a bunch of friends and don’t feel the need to be pretentious, then this is your bar.

On the outside, Mooloolabar looks like any other bar. Nothing special, not a speakeasy, no hipster interiors. Yet all the outside tables are always taken on weeknights! The husband and I went to investigate.
Walking in, we were greeted very warmly by one of the servers, almost as if she’s known us for years. While walking us to our table, she patted me on the back and said, «Oh, you’re so pretty!» I was wearing a Star Wars shirt, glasses, and barely any makeup… so sweet of her!
Looking at the menu, we were relieved to see they served more than bar bites. I ordered a pasta carbonara with their house red. Both were pretty good.
The crowd inside all seemed friendly, and were loud but not too loud, which was perfect for me because I’m loud when I speak too. :) I enjoyed the pop playlist mixed with some good oldies (think Chicago’s «If You Leave Me Now» and Bee Gees «How Deep Is Your Love».) What surprised me the most was the staff: they were all happy and were genuine when serving you. This type of engaging service is a rarity in Singapore, and I couldn’t believe that I found it on East Coast Road.
So yes, the fact that I was able to go on and on about this simple bar on East Coast Road just shows you how much I like this place. Who knew a non-​hipster place could be so refreshing nowadays?! ;)