There will be limited-edition signature cocktails to sample at 45 of the island’s best bars (Photo: Employees Only Singapore)
Fancy a drink? Always, yes and please. Be of good cheer as our southern neighbour is all geared up to host a 17-day-long cocktail festival that runs from May 5 to 21. The ninth edition of the Singapore Cocktail Festival is exactly what its name promises.
There will be limited-edition signature cocktails to sample at 45 of the island’s best bars as well as bar takeovers by equally talented chums and compadres from across the region, including from Australia, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. Thematic bar crawls, cocktail brunches and drink-oriented experiences are also on the cards.
sgcf.jpg
The more hardcore drinkers, with livers to match, should head to the sprawling 7,400 sq m Festival Village right by Marina Bay Sands from May 5 to 7. Here, soak up (or pickle yourself in) a veritable smorgasbord of salubrious sips against a 180-degree backdrop starring Singapore’s iconic skyline. The Festival Village will offer over a hundred varieties of cocktails, each priced at a relatively pocket-friendly S$15 (about RM67).
Participating bars at press time include the Hilton’s Ginger.Lily, Atlas Bar, Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove, the highly rated Papa Doble, Sago House and Writer’s Bar. Some of the hottest and hippest bartenders from the region’s top watering holes will also be making appearances, including Taipei’s Indulge Experimental Bistro (No 6 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list), Maybe Sammy from Sydney (No 29 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022) and Sidecar, New Delhi (No 14 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022). Also look out for pop-ups by key tippling brands like Bacardi, Hendrick’s, Monkeys 47 and Shoulder, Roku Gin and Codigo 1530.
experimental.png
And lest you worry about all that alcohol going to your head, line your stomach in style at the Festival Village’s on-site Food Street, where established names such as Esquina, Ms Maria and Mr Singh, Kebabs Factory and Employees Only will hold culinary court. Entrance is via one- and three-day passes, which include a City Takeover wristband and welcome drink.
This article first appeared on May 1, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
