The long-awaited Cocktail Week is here again and do we really need any better reason to love this amazing eight day long festival that recognises the beauty of liquid gold. Cocktail Week 2016 starts from the 12th to 19th of March and you can be sure to indulge in a myriad of activities.
It doesn’t matter if this will be your first sip of alcohol or if you’re already a maestro, Singapore Cocktail Week 2016 promises fun for everyone and anyone. You can expect cocktail workshops, tours, supper clubs, brunches, pop-ups, international guest bartender appearances and more.
How does Singapore Cocktail Week work?
My toes are tingling and I hope yours are too as well. With such an eventful packed programme, I really can’t see why anyone would let go on this one. Except if you’re really against liquid gold, which I respect, stay golden.
Buying Wristbands for Parties and Bar pop-ups
Get yourself a set of eight wristbands for $38 (1 for each day), and you can enjoy full access to all the parties and bar pop-ups throughout Singapore’s Cocktail Week. Not only that, you will also get 10% off workshops, brunches and supper clubs, as well as $14++ signature cocktails at participating bars.
Get your wristbands at the Singapore Cocktail Week website or at participating bars.
*Even without a wristband, anyone may partake in the festivities at Singapore Cocktail Week. However, they will have to pay full price for drinks and ticketed events.
Booking Workshops, Masterclasses
There are workshops of different levels, for trade and for consumer. E-Tickets are only available online till 19 March 2016, 5PM or till sold out. You can reserve your slot for a cocktail workshop or masterclass here.
Bar Tours
There are also bar tours from 14-16 March 2016 that you can join in. Each tour visits different set of bars, and you can check out about the tours and book the bar tours here.
Most Worth It Cocktail Workshops To Join
Cocktail Workshops and Salon Sessions will be conducted throughout the week, for both trade and consumers to gather and proclaim of their love for cocktails and of course admire the craft of it. Different bars will specifically have different themes, so take your pick or hell, just head to them all.
Calling all whisky lovers, La Maison Du Whisky is holding a masterclass that introduces all ye who are interested into the wonderful world of whisky, where you’ll taste flights of fine scotch whiskies at only $45 per pax.
Psst ladies, there’s a ladies only workshop at The Flagship, Whiskies Are For Ladies, where you can learn from the industry’s experts at only $48.
If whisky isn’t your preferred poison, head on over to The Spiffy Dapper for their Gin & Tonic Pairing Workshop where you get to taste different gins and pair it with different composition of tonic, end it off with some botanicals to perfect your very own G&T. While it costs $65 per person, it has been said that you may have to drink more than 300ml of alcohol, so be prepared.
Also, head over to Jigger and Pony and learn how to make 50 Cocktails with 8 Bottles at only $58. You never have to worry about helming the bar at home no more.
The Coolest Cocktail Parties, Pop-ups and Bar Tours
For the party animals out there, you’re not forgotten. The cocktail parties and bar tours are designed specially for you. Visit the first-of-its-kind pop up at Potato Head Folk, the Elyx House where you can expect cute signature pineapple cups of bespoke Elyx cocktails crafted by international big name of the industry.
Head down to Holland Village Food Court because there’s a pop-up cocktail bar right there during cocktail week.
Jio You Cocktail Club will showcase a series of cocktails that takes inspiration from our very own local fare like the Nasi Lemak and Prawn Noodle Soup. So if you’re in for a wild ride, you won’t wanna miss this, you also get a complimentary cocktail so why not really.
If you’re more adventurous than that, head to NOX for their Mystery Tipples In The Dark where only the bold ones get to enjoy a flight of four cocktails in the dark, and of course try to guess what’s in it.
Must Visit Cocktail Brunches and Supper Clubs
This year, Cocktail Week recognises the food lover in you as well and has added in cocktail brunches and supper clubs into the menu.
On the 19th of March, Tanuki Raw holds Brunch Designed that starts at 12pm onwards. You’ll be pampered with two cocktails, the use of the Bloody Mark Bar and your choice of coffee. Choose from their signature rice bowls, have a Superstar Maki Sushi Roll and Beef Sliders, all at $80++.
Have a tipsy afternoon at Anti:Dote because there’s no other place to spend an afternoon of debauchery and indulgence. Tipsy Tea Time at $45 per pax, you get to dine classy, complete with boozy afternoon treats. Opt for an exclusive cocktail week addition at $50, where you get unlimited iced tea cocktails.
Then dine at Tippling Club’s Once Upon A Time In Candelaria for dinner. A continuation to their critically acclaimed ‘Once Upon A Time…’ series, Tippling Club will be partnering up with Josh Fontaine and Carina Soto from world renowned Parisian bar Candelaria, to put together a specially curated five-course Latin American dinner menu paired with signature cocktails. Dinner goes at $155++ per pax.
If you’re feeling more Japanese-y, head over to Jekyll & Hyde’s A Night To Remember that starts from 10:30pm. It features an Omakase Japanese and Italian fusion homemade pasta pairing, add on an omakase cocktail filled with Japanese ingredients and it’s a steal at $43. Or go over to Hashida @ Gibson with absolutely no cover charge at all.
Over 60 Cocktail Bars Participating
Of course, this event will be a star studded one with close to 20 international bartenders conducting masterclasses and guest bartending at bars all over our little red dot.
This year’s Singapore Cocktail Week has the largest line up of yet, with 60 cocktail bars and restaurants involved.
Some highlight participating bars and restaurants include:
28 HongKong Street
Anti:dote
Bar Stories
Catalunya
MEATLiquor
Operation Dagger and many more.
Get a wristband and head down to Lucha Loca to enjoy their signature cocktails for a mere $14++. Choose from Margarita Último, Frambuesa that is oh-so-refreshing or the Loco Pisco Sour.
If not, try the El Megroni, which is made with Mezcal. Or simply enjoy the Cafe Diablo, a dark, rich and intense cocktail made with Mezcal, XO Café Dark Cocoa, Cynar liqueur, Egg white and Flamed Orange.
Do the same at Neon Pigeon and immerse yourself in cocktails that are cheekily Japanese. Have their version of Sangria no Takumi, Hato Kuro, or the Kyuri Jin that has Sakura Tea Infused Gin.
If you prefer something heavier, opt for their Mukashinagara, which is personally my favourite. It consists of Whisky, Mirin & Dolin Rouge Mix, Orange Bitters, Rum with Salted Caramel and Coco Nips. It gives an intense and sweet flavour, without any overpowering the others.
For those looking for something lighter, try their Wasa’Fizz that incorporates Gin. Matcha Powder, Condensed Milk, Wasabi, Cream, Lemon & Lime, Syrup and Soda. Literally a wasabi soda pop, this drink is slightly spicy with the aromatic wasabi and sweet with the fizzy soda. Definitely a thoroughly intriguing cocktail worth trying if you’re a wasabi fan like I am.
So, what you waiting, what you waiting, what you waiting for? (Quotes and sings in Gwen Stefani’s voice bravely).
Join the drinking party at Singapore Cocktail Week 2016 from 12th to 19th of March 2016!
