Makansutra | Big Bad Breezy Biker Bar

Big Bad Breezy Biker Bar

By Melanie Lee - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012

Getting to Handlebar’s new Sembawang premises is no mean feat. First, you have to make your way all the way to the far north of Singapore. Then, somewhere along Sembawang Road, you have to turn into Andrews Road and pass through a densely forested area to get to PA Sembawang Water Venture Club.

However, the trip is all worth it because once you reach, you are greeted by a breezy sea view and a kitsch-industrial biker bar blaring soulful blues music and serving up hearty American fare that is hard to beat.

Handlebar opened in 1999 in Gillman Village by a group of local bikers. However, after that area went en bloc, Handlebar shifted to Sembawang last September for a more spacious bar by the beach. “We want our customers to enjoy the scenic ride here, and then chill out by the sea. Our new place definitely has a more relaxed vibe,” says owner Jan Pek as she happily whips up a strawberry margarita with a special biker blender that is powered a four-stroke engine.

The bar area with motorcycle engine beer taps

Nevertheless, Handlebar still remains extremely committed to what Jan refers to as the “brotherhood of bikers” as seen by the numerous black and white photographs of customers and staff that frame the walls. Even most of the biking memorabilia that adorn the bar are generously donated by biker friends and customers from all around the world.

Owner Jan Pek making strawberry margarita with the biker blender that is powered by a four-stroke engine.

“Biking is more than a mode of transport. It is a dangerous, living-on-the-edge sport so we bikers all look out for each other. It’s all about trust and having fun,” Jan says when explaining the rationale of suspending a motorcycle with wooden wings and a wooden skeleton clutching onto a handlebar at the bar counter area. As one of the banner sums it up: “Riding High, Living Free.”

Its all about the brotherhood of bikers at Handlebar.

However, the biker deco isn’t the only draw to this place. Handlebar’s menu is just as badass with dish names like Sudden Death Wings and Satan’s Short Ribs. I choose a more dainty-sounding dish called Blossom Onion, which turns out to be far from dainty. It is a deep-fried Colossal Onion that Jan brings in from the US, and she even had to buy a special cutter to get it to look like a giant, brown lotus flower. It is light and crunchy with a peppery beer batter that brings out the tart sweetness of the onion. Peeling off the fried onion strips is also incredibly addictive and this makes for a fun communal side dish.

The meat dishes are also popular at Handlebar. In particular, the Beer Butt Chicken is flavourful and tender. It is marinated with Cajun spices and is cooked for 45 minutes under low heat. While it is being cooked, the chicken sits on top of a can of steaming beer, which helps keep the meat moist. There’s also the 1%er Tenderloin, which is 400gm of Premium Gold Angus Beef wrapped indulgently with strips of bacon. The succulent beef cuts are just lightly seasoned to bring out the earthy juiciness of the meat, and also has a deliciously smoky aftertaste that comes from the grill that complements the bacon perfectly.

When asked why their food seems to be a par above most Western restaurants, Jan fills us in: “Our dishes are based on family recipes provided by our American friends, so there is this home-cooked taste to our food.”

The Beer Butt chicken literally sits below beer while it is being cooked

Beer Butt Chicken, with a smooth and creamy potato mash $25

It seems that everything about Handlebar seems to be made or done with plenty of love, including the extensive woodwork crafted by Jan’s husband. This is perhaps why bikers such as Chris Schmidt, a German biker who moved to Singapore a few months ago, makes it a point to come here every weekend.

“The scenery is beautiful, the food is outstanding, and it’s the perfect pit stop after riding in Johor Bahru. I only wish more people knew about this place because it’s really one-of-a-kind,” he says.

Bikers Chris Schmidt and Dom Wells come here every week after riding in Johor Bahru.

Likewise, first-time diner Maye-e Wong was just as impressed with Handlebar. “Usually, the food of themed bars or restaurants don’t match up to the elaborate settings. As such, I was pleasantly surprised by the F.T.W Sirloin Steak I ordered – it was seasoned simply but grilled to perfection. I’m going to bring my dad here soon. He used to be a biker and a national sailor in his younger days so this biker bar by the sea is perfect for him!” she quips.