Walk with me back to the year 1902, Singapore. Rickshaws clatter over pebbles and dirt, weaving between hawkers peddling steaming hot bowls of noodles to herbal remedies. In the background, the sounds of Chinese opera pierce the air, alongside rhythmic melodies of wayang kulit performances. Amid all this, a tiger has escaped from a circus at the far end of Beach Road. Disoriented and lost, it wandered by its lonesome until it found a crawl space beneath the Bar & Billiard Room of Raffles Hotel.
Over a century later, the tiger remains—now in the form of a regal rug lying beneath a billiard table. The Bar & Billiard Room in Raffles Hotel is a place steeped in rich history, so naturally, it has seen its fair share of tenants over the years. But now, it welcomes a new occupant with its own rich legacy. Audemars Piguet—one-third of The Holy Trinity of Watches—has transformed this storied space into AP House, a concept space debuting the world’s first AP Café, right here in Singapore.
The space itself has been meticulously preserved to maintain the building’s iconic architecture. Colonial-era architecture, with its iconic high ceilings and seven-meter-tall windows, bathes the room with natural light. Contemporary design elements—clean, understated, yet impossibly sophisticated—wrap the space in Audemars Piguet’s signature aesthetic: timeless, yet quietly avant-garde.
As you step inside, you’re greeted by AP royalty. Three totems showcase a curated selection of AP heritage pieces, while a grand watch wall displays the house’s current collection, including, of course, the Royal Oak line. Guests can even book an appointment to try on these timepieces, after which they’ll be hosted in either the house’s cosy “living room” or a private salon.
One of which doubles as an intimate listening room. Here, a turntable and high-fidelity audio system invites you to sink into plush sofas and lose yourself to vinyl. The room boasts an impressive collection spanning Gorillaz to Radiohead, and Kendrick Lamar to Pink Floyd. Very cool.
For those in need of watch servicing, a dedicated counter awaits by the dining table in the “living room” (yes, the one near the tiger rug). Here, you can also browse an extensive collection of straps to refresh your timepiece.
And then there’s the café. Open not just to AP customers but to anyone curious enough to wander in, it’s a gateway to the brand’s world through the universal language of food.
They offer a selection of savoury and sweet Swiss-inspired dishes, which include a handpicked White Pepper King Crab & Avocado finished with a generous dollop of caviar, Spiced Beef Tartare in sriracha with a side of crispy wonton skins, and the playful Chicken Rice Club Sandwich which tastes exactly as it sounds.
For dessert, indulge in delightful treats like the rich Hazelnut Crunch, as well as the best-selling Swiss Roll, Honeycomb & Honey Ice Cream. The latter was light, decadent, and utterly unforgettable.
AP House Singapore opens daily from 11am to 10pm and is located at the Bar and Billiard Room, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673. Make your reservations here.
