When I was going to school here, art wasn’t very encouraged. When I said to my parents I wanted to go into the art world, they were a bit like, “Well, I don’t understand, what would you do?”

I wondered if this art thing had legs, got an internship with Christie’s in New York and it made me realize that whilst by no means am I an artist, I really enjoyed being part of the world.

My background is very much bringing things together, being the coordinator, the puppeteer.

Am I creative? If you mean I’m going to paint Easter eggs with my kids this weekend, then yes, I dabble.

I’m learning this more and more as I get older, but you’ve got to be who you are.

A lot of people think that collecting art is for big grown up people, but I’m a big grown up person now, so when do you really get to that stage? Art is for everybody. You can start whenever you want, with whatever takes your fancy.

I started collecting when I was about 22, and they were all prints. I probably only bought my first painting about five years ago.

The last thing I bought is from Jacky Tsai, who did the designs for McQueen’s scarves.

To be an artist in Singapore, you’ve got to be pretty wealthy. It’s expensive living in all these different cities and not being sure what your next piece will be.

Galleries are working with artists day to day to enable an organic growth of the arts industry. They are the ones enabling artists to be artists. We just hope to provide a network and platform to reach a wide audience.

What hooks people quite often is the thought that they are investing in an artist but also in their future career.

Singapore being the most expensive city in the world kills me. I’ve got twins! What do you do with that?

The prices that people are prepared to pay here are higher and that reflects the amount of disposable income, too. Artwork sold in Singapore averages about $2,800, while in London it’s about $1,500.

People are really interested in the arts here and one thing to look at is the potential visitor base. Singaporeans are very engaged with what’s going on, whether it’s music or drama, there’s no reason to ever be bored here.

What really sets us apart is how complimentary we are and we are seen as an organization that is a catalyst for growing a new art buying public.

We live in a society that is very time-poor now, people are busy.

If I could sum up the Affordable Art Fair mission it would simply be to fall in love with art.

I don’t ever think you could push the boundaries of art because a true artist is “Art for Art’s Sake”. Look at Duchamp who put a latrine in an art exhibition.

I don’t see a lot of the environment reflected in the art here. I see a lot of abstract and painterly works like watercolour and calligraphy. There isn’t too much commentary on socio-political issues. There’s more technique and experimentation.

If I could have dinner with anyone dead or alive it would be Manet because he’s pretty full on or Ai Weiwei as he’s fascinating – we’re going to be reflecting on him in the future.

Always buy for love, not for money.

I like bold pieces and landscapes because initially they can be quite beautiful then they can be quite desolate the longer you stare at them. I don’t know what that says about me, but I do quite like a desolate landscape.

The best comment I’ve had yet is, “But I came here yesterday, and they had that artwork, and now it’s gone, and they said it might be here today”. Or after the fair people often say something like, “So there was this landscape, and it was sort of blue, and I wondered if you could tell me where it’s from.” It’s like playing Sherlock Holmes.

In my spare time, when I’m not doing this whole “art thing” I try and convince my husband to buy more art, or spend time with the twins and the dog.

Acid Bar

Dark, intimate and chill, this bar plays everything from jazz, pop and rock to classic evergreens and alternative numbers. Housed in a restored antique shophouse, they also have an alfresco area that is great for beers and martinis.

B28

This swanky underground bar is tucked in the The Club, a hotel on the hip Club Street. Regular weekend jazz performances are on Fridays and Saturdays ($15 entry), setting the perfect ambiance for unwinding over a glass of whisky from their extensive collection.

Barber Shop by Timbre

From the folks at Timbre comes this blues-focused live music (with soul, funk and jazz added to the mix) joint anchored by local bands such as Raw Earth and Soulvibin'. Premium whiskeys from Japan, Scotland, Ireland and the US are the bar's main offerings, alongside beers, wines and other spirits.

Blu Jaz

One of the coolest places to groove on a casual night out, this three-story dining and entertainment venue is packed on weekends with a laidback crowd who come here for local rock, jazz and funk bands as well as open mic comedy sessions, while guest DJs drop their tunes upstairs.

Crazy Elephant

If your parents are also live music fans, chances are they've been to this place. This long-time rock 'n' roll and blues institution is cozy and never disappoints, especially when resident act The Blues Machine take to the stage. The drinks are fuss-free, so expect beers, house pours and wines. But with stars such as REM, Deep Purple and Robbie Williams gracing this modest spot, with that amount of street cred, there's not much to complain about.

Hard Rock Cafe

This list won't be complete without long-time stalwart Hard Rock Cafe. Known for its signature decor of music memorabilia, sway along to sounds ranging from indie to Top 40s while tucking into its signature all-American grub. If you're out on Sentosa island, check out the brand's newer outlet and hotel at Resorts World Sentosa.

Hood Bar & Cafe

Live music sessions at this charming joint feature top local musicians such as Shirlyn & the Unexpected playing a wide array of genres including soft rock, radio alternatives, jazz and bossa nova. Share a variety of bar bites, including calamari ($12), fish fingers ($11) and dumplings ($10), with friends, or opt for something heftier like pizzas (from $16) and burgers (from $14).

Outpost Bar & Bistro

The St. James gastropub serves up "elevated" bar bites, a tightly curated wine menu and awesome happy hour deals ($5 half pints of beer and $99 bottles of spirits!). They also play host to nightly live music acts that are handpicked. Dealing mostly with popular covers of current songs, these local musicians give YouTube cover songs a run for their money.

TAB

Besides hosting Neverland parties that feature regional dance and music acts from the region, this two-story venue also boast a line-up of live music performances, with previous shows by Album Leaf and Zee Avi. Local artists from a variety of genres usually perform original material, followed by a foreign Artist in Residence. 

Timbre @ The Substation

As one of the most popular venues, this is a great place to unwind with a couple of drinks. This live music specialist, which also have outlets at Gillman Barracks and The Arts House, hosts some of the finest local musicians that cover a variety of genres from pop, rock and alternative. Take advantage of their daily happy hour from 6-9pm or simply wash down your dinner with beers, house pours and house wines. 

What do you think about the Singapore cocktail scene?
I truly love the local cocktail scene. It's quite similar to what I have seen across the world, and you can feel the love and passion inside each drink. The only difference to San Francisco is the weather.

Are you inspired by anything local, since Singapore is known as a foodie paradise?
All the fresh exotic fruits--exotic by San Francisco standards--are quite fun to play with. I catch myself just walking around the local grocery stores, looking and thinking about what I can do with all these items. I have different fruit syrups that are used in Manhattan's beverage menu. With time and the use of the extensive ingredients room, which will consist of some local dried herbs and fruits, guests will start to see more of locally-inspired elements mixed into the classic cocktails found at Manhattan.

What is your go-to drink for a customer who is indecisive?
I would ask what sort of things they normally drink so I can get a glimpse of what I should lean towards. But when that doesn't work, a Gold Rush, which consists of Bourbon, lemon and honey is a winner with most.

What drink would you make for yourself to unwind or when you’re out?
When I unwind I usually just want a nice cold IPA, and maybe a shot (whisky or tequila).

Tell us more about the Rickhouse at Manhattan. What sorts of kooky experiments are you trying to achieve?
Well, the Rickhouse has a six-barrel Solera system set up for aging the Negronis, which is pretty rad. But I've also got some bitters and different finishes that I'm planning. Even collaborating with the chef, but I'll save that one for later.

Weirdest drink you’ve ever made.
I have muddled Snickers candy bars into some drinks in the past.

Weirdest request you've ever gotten from a customer.
Back when I spent a few years in Portland, Oregon, I did have a guest ask if I could make their dog something to drink!

So you were crowned “Best Personality”. What do you think the difference is between a good bartender and a great one?
To me, the difference between a good bartender and a great bartender would be knowing you're there for the customer and that you're there for them to have a good time--not the other way around.

Words of wisdom? Mantras? Rules to live by?
There are two things I fully believe in, behind and in front of the bar. One: you never know who you're serving--so give everybody the respect they deserve. Two: you are only as good as your last drink.

For more info on the brand new "it" bar Manhattan, click here.