Offtrack

Set inside a conserved shophouse on North Canal Road, Offtrack was conceived by the founders of local music collectives Darker Than Wax and Ice Cream Sundays. The entire project is built around a simple premise – to create a social space where the music is treated as a main event, not just background noise. This focus is immediately clear from the sound system, which is centered on a pair of restored Klipsch La Scala speakers, the same model used by David Mancuso for his legendary Loft Parties in 1970s New York. The interior, designed by one of the co-founders, uses naturally stained plywood panels, exposed steel beams, and vintage glass blocks to give the room a warm, considered feel. A vinyl-friendly DJ booth hosts a rotating lineup of local and regional selectors who play music that doesn’t quite fit a typical club setting. The acoustics are managed so the sound is rich and present, but you can still hold a conversation without shouting. Food here is taken just as seriously as the music. The menu is a collection of hearty, Pan-Asian sharing plates from chef Edmund Low, with dishes like Garlic Noodles, Iberico Pork Collar, and a housemade sourdough roti with kombu butter. The bar program sticks to well-executed classic cocktails – think Tea Milk Punch, a White Enzoni made with mezcal and green grape, or The Saturn with gin and passionfruit. The place is designed for a leisurely pace, but it gets busy. Booking a table is essential, especially if you want to sit indoors near the speakers, and you can expect a two-hour time limit on your table, even on weekdays.