The Singapore Cocktail Festival 2023 returns May 5-21 for the first time since the pandemic. If you’re not yet familiar with Singapore’s bar scene, you’re in for a treat.
The two-week festival will showcase the country’s best cocktail bars, as well as performances by celebrated regional bars, drinks created especially for the festival, boozy brunches, bar tours, a food street and more.
What to expect at the Singapore Cocktail Festival 2023
Festival Village: May 5-7
The Festival Village will return in 2023 with a new venue at Bayfront Events Space. This new location will feature some of the region’s best bars, including Taipei’s Indulge Experimental Bistro, Sydney’s Maybe Sammy, Hong Kong’s Penicillin, New Delhi’s Sidecar, Manilla’s ReCraft and Bangkok’s The Bar at The House on Sathorn.
Photo> Singapore Cocktail Festival
They will be joined by Singapore’s best bars and pop-ups of spirits brands. In all, nearly 100 different cocktails will be on offer, priced at S$15 each.
The festival will also bring back the craft spirits showcase, which offers attendees the opportunity to sample a variety of craft spirits.
More than 30 brands are expected, including Tanglin Gin and House of Cane, which recently launched its Asian-Caribbean rum in Singapore. To keep stomachs full, the Food Street will feature pop-up restaurants, including Employees Only, Esquina, Feather Blade, Mezcla, Rappu and Stay Gold Flamingo.
Advance passes are priced starting at $40 and can be purchased now through March 31. One- to three-day passes will be sold starting March 3 and will range from $45 to $70.
City Takeover: May 5-21
Simultaneously and after the festival ends, City Takeover will take place. The initiative features 45 local bars that have created cocktails especially for the festival. Some bars will also have guest shifts, such as Analogue, Manhattan, Origin Bar, Republic Bar, Stay Gold Flamingo and The Elephant Room.
Other experiences that will take place during City Takeover include brunches, workshops and themed bar tours. More details will be announced closer to the date.
SGCF signature cocktails are priced at $18++ each, with the purchase of a $10 wristband. The wristband will go on sale April 1.
“The Singapore Cocktail Festival was born out of the idea of putting our city on the world cocktail map,” said co-founder Wai Mayleng. “It works with the industry at the center.
Over the past two years, we have focused primarily on helping the industry overcome the challenges of the pandemic. Now that everything is back to normal, we are excited to re-engage consumers and celebrate the cocktail world again.”
The 2023 edition of the Singapore Cocktail Festival marks the ninth year of the event. The 2020 edition was held entirely online due to Covid restrictions, while the 2021 event only brought back the city takeover. The event was not held last year.
Singapore Cocktail Festival 2023 details:
The Singapore Cocktail Festival takes place from May 5 to 21, 2023.
Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly.