Dining/Drinking

Singapore Cocktail Festival 2023 (9th edition) takes place during 5 to 21 May, promising an exciting line-up of Festival Village and City Takeover activities. During this ‘Asia’s most anticipated cocktail party’ visitors to Singapore and residents can expect a cocktail calendar packed with spirit-centric activities, and a larger-than-life Festival Village experience, with the world’s best cocktail masters and spirit brands.

The Festival Village (5 to 7 May): 7400 sqm of over a hundred $15 cocktails and the world’s best bartenders, spirit makers and drink experiences

The cocktail festival kicks off with the sprawling Festival Village held at the iconic Bayfront Event Space. Promising a bigger-than-ever line-up with over 100 cocktails to sip on, all priced at $15 only. Plus, a huge variety of themed drink experiences.

Shaking up exciting tipples, for the first time in the same space, will be leading Headliner Bars – Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei, No. 6 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022), Maybe Sammy (Sydney, No. 29 at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022), Penicillin (Hong Kong, No. 22 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022), ReCraft (Manila, named one of the best cocktail bars in Manila by Coconuts), Sidecar (New Delhi, No. 14 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022) and The Bar at The House on Sathorn (Bangkok, named one of the best new bars of 2022 by Lifestyle Asia).

Additionally, there will be immersive Brand Pop-ups from leaders in the spirit world. These include a Hendrick’s Gin Experience modelled after an enchanting garden of delightful oddities concocted in collaboration with home grown cocktail bar Night Hawk. Expect luscious Hendrick’s-based libations and limited-release gin expressions. Head down to the Monkey Shoulder booth for an experience spearheaded by The Feather Blade that includes a cocktail truck peddling curated tipples. Malfy Gin from Italy, will be offering an experiential menu of drinks and slushies at a ”pool-side” party. The Singapore Cocktail Festival also welcomes brand pop-ups by India’s Stranger & Sons gin and Proof & Co’s La Travesia Mezcal and Los Arcos Agave Tequila, all of whom champion the traditional craft of spirit making and employ sustainable practices. These are just a few spirits to experience among the 58 brands making an appearance at the Festival Village.

Next up, Singapore’s top cocktail bars will be shaking things up at the SG Bar Pop-ups. On rotation, cocktail crafters from Junior the Pocket Bar, Tippling Club, Alleybar and several more will be serving up their signature drinks and interacting with festival-goers.

Dive into the Artisanal Spirits world and go on a global tasting tour of brands such as the newly launched Maya Pistola Agavepura and The Hachi Shochu. Meet the good folk behind Gin
Kitchen, where each bottle is batched and numbered by hand, and sample spirits from SG Distillery — a locally distilled gin brand with varieties such as Singapore Sling and Coconut
Pandan, plus deep dive into conscious drinking with the eCO Spirits Kiosk by Proof & Co.

There will be Live Entertainment to keep those spirits high from leading local DJ acts Phat Cat Collective and local live bands, the Jukuleles and Havana Social Club. There is also a Gourmet Food Street with flavours ranging from Mexican to Indian, Asian and more. There will also be a space for Craft and Interactive Activities and in general, an air of cocktail conviviality across all three Festival days.

Headliner Shake-Ups: A meeting of minds of cocktail legends at bar parties

The Festival’s Headliner Bartenders from around Asia and beyond will first wow guests at the Festival Village and stay on to participate in the City Takeover from 8 to 13 May. Look out for an exciting calendar of Headliner Bar Parties where festival goers can enjoy creative tipples by not one, but two headlining bartenders on one single night. Home-based headliners will host their international counterparts to present a variety of inspired drinks. Analogue (No. 37 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022) welcomes Maybe Sammy (Sydney), Manhattan (No. 9 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022) is paired with Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei), Origin Bar (No. 66 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022) shakes things up with New Delhi’s Sidecar, Republic (No. 12 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022) pairs with Penicillin (Hong Kong), Stay Gold Flamingo and The Elephant Room, both of which are on Asia’s 50 Best Bars Singapore Discovery list, will welcome ReCraft (Manila) and The Bar at The House on Sathorn (Bangkok), respectively.

Singapore Cocktail Festival City Takeover experiences

5 to 21 May) Cocktail brunches, bar crawls and cocktail parties galore. 47 of Singapore’s best bars will be “Shaking Up New Possibilities”, with innovative libations created especially for the festival. Enjoy limited edition Signature Cocktails priced at $18++ at all participating bars, with the purchase of City Takeover wristbands priced at just $10 nett.

Get ready to indulge in a daytime adventure of taste and tipples over four fabulous weekends.

The Weekend Cocktail Brunches pairs signature drinks with curated themed menus. From Indian-South American fusion flair at Barood to good value bottomless brunches at The Bar at 15 Stamford and Tess Bar and Kitchen, as well as Kosher Eats at Aniba. Whatever your boozy brunch preference, there is something for you.

Visitors can also join Thematic Bar Crawls and let Spirit Brand Ambassadors guide them on journey, or go on a whimsical look-see through multiple bars. Sip, savour, and indulge in a variety of unique cocktail experiences, all in one unforgettable evening! This one is for roving cocktail enthusiasts who want to explore the city while luxuriating in their favourite libations.
Apart from these, those two weeks will also see exciting activations such as Supper Clubs, Bar Takeovers and Themed Parties across the city.

For the latest calendar of City Takeover experiences, go to www.singaporecocktailfestival.com.