Bowling and COLBAR

We bowled a couple of games at the club yesterday with Allen, Becky, Larry, and Pam. It's nice to do something a bit different now and then. Afterward, Larry and Pam took us to Larry's favorite place to eat (I think it's Pam's least favorite place), COLBAR. Below are pics of the metal signs explaining the history of the place. The food was really good, and they have a wide variety including "Spaghetti on Toast" and a number of other specialties I've never heard of before. I had the curry beef and rice -- yum!



"Opened in 1953, COLBAR was primarily a canteen for base personnel in the 2600-acre military complex stretching from Alexandria Road to Clementi Road. It was also an unofficial mess for the old British Army barracks in Portsdown Road. Established and built by Mr. Lim at Jalan Hang Jabal, COLBAR was named by a British friend of his and was an abbreviated version of "Colonial Bar". Popular among the British military officers and soldiers, it was a gastronomical oasis for Liver and Onions or Lamb Chops back in those days."


"In 2003, the construction of a major semi-expressway to connect Queensway and Ayer Rajah Expresway started. As a result, COLBAR had to make way for the construction of this major infrastructure. JTC, the master developer of one-north, initiated an effort to save this legendary eating house to preserve its hea
rt were -- the comunity of COLBAR."


"Together with LTA, SLA, and URA, they explored and studied different possibilities of saving this part of Singapore's history. From shifting the semi-expressway to evade the COLBAR building, to relocating and reconstructing it, all possible solutions were scrutinised. With thorough studies and support from the COLBAR community, the decision was eventually made to proceed with the construction of a new COLBAR at Whitchurch Road."



"From August 2003, the original COLBAR at Jalan Hang Jebat was slowly being dismantled. Part by part, fragile materials were taken apart carefully to be reused in the construction of the new COLBAR. Clay roof tiles, timber screens and solid timber swing doors were some of the reused treasures. By September 2003, the entire 60-year old building finally bid its farewell to all.

The design, conceived by in-house JTC, took a bold move to inject a new space in the "old" shell of COLBAR. The unique architechtural language that carried important characteristics and the intrinsic soul of the place were categorically retained and replicated to close exact. Materials, texture and colours were meticulously matched and applied throughout. What you see now is the entire two-unit eating house reconstructed to exact detail. A new outdoor terrace has been introduced to replace the other two units at Jalan Hang Jebat site to become a potential and well-needed alfresco dining space."

"The Heritage Wall is an art itself, it is built with original timber boards salvaged from the old eating house. These old materials are arranged in an informal fashion, thus creating a random series of openings that allow visual and physical penetrations. Timber boards with layers of peeling paint uncover evidences of COLBAR's rich 50-year historical journey.

With great support from the community, together with many government agencies, we have finally witnessed the resurrection of an icon. On 25 February 2004, the new COLBAR finally celebrated its rebirth at Whitchurch Road."