With over 100 participating bars from around the world, cocktail lovers can knock themselves out at this premier cocktail event.
Thirsty for tipples? It’s a great time to sip on some ‘cos Singapore Cocktail Festival (SGCF) is back. We love happy hours, ladies night deals and getting to know some crazy bartenders but if you want to experience the city’s cocktail scene in one big sweep, this is it. The festivities begin from 10 to 18 May with a massive lineup of bar tours, bar takeovers, masterclasses, guest shifts from award-winning bars and some killer deals! We’ve put together the highlights that’ll please all novices and connoisseurs. Bring on the booze…
Place your bet: who will emerge as number one in Asia’s 50 Best Bars list?
Following last year’s phenomenal event, Asia’s 50 Best Bar makes a return to the Capitol Theatre on 9 May. The programme includes the nail-biting awards ceremony (will Manhattan retain its top spot for the third time?) and a massive party to celebrate bartenders from all around the region. The awards ceremony will be streamed live on the World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page so you could even catch it in your jammies.
We’re also looking forward to the #50BestTalks event on 10 May. The theme this year is ‘Female Spirit’ so get psyched for the very first all-female panel. Sasha Wijidessa (Operation Dagger, Singapore), Victoria Chow (The Woods, Hong Kong), Bannie Kang (Anti:Dote, Singapore) and Pinsuda Pongprom (The Bamboo Bar, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok) will be giving us the scoop on key topics, trends and bar culture. Psst…you can also watch this on the Facebook page. Get ready to be inspired.
Award-winning bars, an artisanal spirits tasting room and bartender competitions are a thing at the Festival Village
If there’s one event you shouldn’t miss, it’s this. Drop by The Festival Village at Empress Lawn from 10 to 12 May for imaginative spirit experiences, tastings by the region’s best bars – including Smalls (Bangkok), Sober Company (Shanghai), Junglebird (Malaysia), Keepers (Seoul) and local bars, Tippling Club, Mitzo and Jigger & Pony – a live bartending competition and restaurant and bar pop-ups. Add some beats by local DJs and you’ve got yourself a party. Plus, all cocktails are going at just $12.
If you’re really serious about cocktail making, learn the ropes at the ‘50 Minutes with 50 Best’ Masterclasses hosted by cocktail wizards Antonio Lai (Quinary, Hong Kong), Maxim Schulte (American Bar at The Savoy, London), Rory Shepherd (Little Red Door, Paris) and more. Tickets are limited so you know this is some exclusive stuff.
Wait, there’s more: bar tours and takeovers, cocktail passports and guest shifts around the city
Hold your glasses, there’s more. Be spoilt for choice with great deals, guest shifts by acclaimed bars (Nutmeg & Clove has a massive lineup in celebration of its 5th birthday), thematic bar tours and of course, featured cocktails at a steal with the iconic cocktail passport – which you can download via the Sluggr app. Highlights include Neon Pigeon’s ‘Kyoto 75’ ($16++), Mitzo’s ‘Monkey’s Best’ ($18++), and Smoke & Mirrors’ ‘Peel and See’ ($20++), and new entries, Cook & Tras Social Library, The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar, Madame Fan and FOC Hong Kong Street.
We also had a peek at one of the bar tours and let’s just say, expect the unexpected. We especially enjoyed the vibe at IB HQ, a speakeasy-like situation with Southeast Asian infusion made in-house. The curry gin was a flavour explosion and an instant hit. Cook & Tras’ light and refreshing summer cocktail, Watermelon Crispa ($15++) will transport you straight to the beach.
With an honest-to-goodness lineup of who’s who in the cocktail scene, you can bet your best buck that this year’s edition is going to be stellar.
The Singapore Cocktail Festival will be held from 10 to 18 May 2019 at various locations.