A Mona Lisa in a Glass: Tokyo’s Quarter Room Arrives at Horatio with Art-Inspired Cocktails in April

Led by bartender Soran Nomura, the Tokyo bar known for translating artworks into cocktails arrives in Singapore for the first time as part of Horatio’s Curious Companions series.

Quarter Room: Mona Liza

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Horatio of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS, 圣淘沙名胜世界) continues its journey of spirit discovery with the latest edition of Horatio’s Curious Companions, this time turning its sights to Japan’s capital of cool—Tokyo. For one night only on Sunday, 19 April 2026, from 8pm to late, Horatio welcomes its first bartender from Japan: Soran Nomura, the founder of Quarter Room and former head bartender of the acclaimed Fuglen Tokyo. The evening also marks Quarter Room’s first appearance in Singapore.

Located in Tokyo’s Setagaya district, Quarter Room is a cocktail bar and creative studio known for its art-driven approach to mixology, where drinks draw inspiration from visual artworks, scent compositions and sensory memory. For the guest shift, Nomura will present selections from his “Art in a Glass” menu—an exploration of cocktails that translate the impressions, historical context and emotional resonance of iconic artworks into flavour and aroma.

With a background in art and years spent bartending in London before returning to Japan, Nomura approaches cocktail-making much like a painter approaches a canvas—layering flavour, aroma and texture to create compositions that are as expressive as they are balanced.

Horatio’s Curious Companions: Quarter Room

PHOTO CREDIT: RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA.

For the evening, Soran will present four of his signature cocktails from Quarter Room, offering guests a taste of the Tokyo bar’s distinctive style. All cocktails for the evening will be priced at S$20.

• Smile 

  Mixed Berry Infused Ketel One, Apricot Brandy, Elderflower Syrup, Houseblend Hop Soda

  
  

  Inspired by the timeless song Smile by Charlie Chaplin, this cocktail carries the same gentle optimism carried in its melody. Echoing Tokyo’s vibrant craft beer culture, where neighbourhood taprooms fill with conversation after long workdays, Smile transforms the familiar comfort of a golden brew into cocktail form. Mixed berry–infused vodka is brightened with apricot brandy and elderflower before being lengthened with house-made Citra hop soda. Topped with mango foam, the drink resembles a crisp craft beer at first glance, revealing a lighter, more playful character beneath.

  
  

• Mona Liza

  Gin, Aged roasted tea, Cacao Brown Liqueur, Campari

  
  

  Inspired by the world’s most famous painting, Mona Lisa, Mona Liza reimagines another classic—the Negroni. In this interpretation by Soran, sweet vermouth is replaced with fig leaf–infused gin, introducing a soft, green aroma that lends the cocktail a delicate, almost feminine character. Aged roasted bancha tea adds depth in place of dilution, while cacao liqueur and Campari build structure and balance. In a subtle nod to Leonardo da Vinci—who was known to have a fondness for wine—the cocktail also incorporates ingredients derived from grapes, weaving history, aroma and flavour into a layered reinterpretation of the iconic aperitivo.

  
  

• Banana

  Irish Whiskey, Banana Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup

  
  

  Inspired by the iconic banana artwork created by Andy Warhol for the debut album of The Velvet Underground, Banana plays with the same sense of surprise and reveal. Just as the original album cover invited listeners to peel back the banana skin to uncover the pink flesh beneath, the cocktail reimagines the classic Old Fashioned with an unexpected twist. Irish whiskey and banana liqueur form the foundation, rounded with maple syrup and brightened with lemon juice, while subtle pink flavour notes emerge on the finish.

Quarter Room: Banana

In keeping with Horatio’s Curious Companions tradition of each visiting bartender bringing a spirit from their hometown, the evening will spotlight KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin, one of Japan’s most celebrated craft gins from the Kyoto Distillery. This premium, small-batch Japanese gin—crafted with a rice spirit base and 11 distinct botanicals—will be featured in the evening’s secret password-only cocktail—revealed exclusively through Horatio’s Instagram (@thehoratiosingapore) 48 hours before the event—adding a distinctly Japanese touch to the tasting. 

Marking Quarter Room’s first appearance in Singapore, the evening offers guests a rare opportunity to experience Soran Nomura’s art-driven approach to cocktails through his “Art in a Glass” creations. The guest shift takes place at Horatio, Resorts World Sentosa on Sunday, 19 April 2026, from 8pm till late. 

Reservations for Horatio’s Curious Companions: Quarter Room can be made via the website here.

Next, Horatio’s travels venture further into Southeast Asia in April, where the next chapter will unfold in a city fondly known as the Land of Smiles.