narellekheng on why F&B joints are the ultimate Social spaces NESS DEVELOPMENT SUNDAY MARKET

Seven years ago, when she was on the rise as a musician, and fashion and lifestyle personality, she and some friends started the quirky, now-defunct rooftop dive bar 21 Moonstone primarily to - in her own words - "hang out", with anyone welcome to join in. These days, F&B is her main gig. Her latest baby? The five-month-old Middle Child Wine Bar on Middle Road that's far less grungy, but runs on the same philosophy of how a bar or restaurant should also be a safe and thoroughly fun space to connect with art and new people. Here, she tells Noelle Loh about how she's navigating the scene and using food to redefine the phrase "see and be seen".

- 

"MIDDLE CHILD WINE BAR" IS A CUTE NAME. WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND IT?

“We learnt that (the all-day breakfast cafe) Wild Honey was going to open beside us and my co-founder Jeremy (Lim, who takes care of business development) was like, ‘Hey, let’s call ourselves Wild Child!’ Someone then pointed out that we’re on Middle Road, and we put both together and ended up with ‘Middle Child’ – and everyone agreed it’s a great name. It feels appropriate because we’ve always liked to create spaces that support those who might feel overlooked or forgotten, which middle children are said to feel. Most of us in the team like to say we’re the black sheep in our families. Here, though, we’re all wanted.”

DESCRIBE THE VIBES THAT YOU’RE GOING FOR HERE.