Heads (and bottoms) up, alcohol aficionados! The world’s best bars, bartenders and alcohol are back in the Lion City this year, with the Singapore Cocktail Festival (SGCF) 2019 hitting full swing.

Now in its 5^th year, the annual revelry is a weeklong celebration of alcohol and cocktail-making, with the best bartenders from our shores and across the globe bringing you a host of collaborations, cocktail-making sessions and communal events.

If the excitement is starting to make your head spin, fret not. We’ve got you covered. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect.

A constellation of bartending’s biggest stars

As always, the Singapore Cocktail Festival will play host to the most skilled bartenders from our city and across the globe, giving alcohol connossieurs the opportunity to sample artisanal concoctions from all over the globe. 2018’s event saw over 100 bartenders arriving on Singapore’s shore to exchange knowledge, rub shoulders and find inspiration on their craft.

SGCF 2019 kicks off with the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, with the region’s top bars and bartenders being announced. Singapore’s very own watering holes, to name a few—Manhattan, Native and Atlas were previous notable local entries that made it to the list.

Fun at the Festival Village

One of the key highlights of SGCF, the Festival Village at Empress Lawn brings the biggest names in bartending under one roof. Expect exclusive masterclasses, signature cocktails from headlining bartenders and a slew of bar popups and buzzing activities.

You’ll be able to experience the signature concoctions of the bartending world’s biggest movers and shakers at this two-day long extravaganza. Headline bartenders this year include Andrew Loudon of Tipping Club, Singapore, Kazuhisa Arai of Sober Company, Shanghai and Lolita Goh of Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur.

To embark on a spirited adventure into the world of cocktail-making, and learn the skills necessary to create your own cocktails, be sure to attend 50 Minutes with 50 Best. This masterclass encourages participants to look, see and taste, as the world’s best bartenders regale you with the stories and recipes behind their signature cocktails.

Beside these events, visitors will be able to grab a snack from the Food Street, indulge in world-class alcohol at the Artisanal Spirits Tasting Room, and cheer on the participants of the Barstylez International Bartender Championship, as they whip up bold brews and show off their flaring skills.

Music lovers looking to soak in the vibes and connect with fellow cocktail aficionados over a drink will be stoked to hear that the Festival Village programme includes a plethora of live music acts and DJ sets, with smooth soul tunes on Friday and dance-worthy Afrobeat on Sunday. Older visitors feeling nostalgic for classic tunes should visit on Saturday and groove out to the retro setlist.

City-wide exploration for cocktail connoisseurs

Planning to barhop and discover a range of urban watering holes? 2019’s SGCF event will see more than 45 cocktails bars across the Lion City participating in the eight-day-long festivities, with a range of bar tours and takeovers.

Whether you’re looking to sip on the offerings with a one-day pass or indulge with friends by buying the Jumbo Party Pack, there’s a range of ticket pricings for visitors of all persuasions. To experience the best of the festival, we suggest snapping up your cocktail passport, which entitles you to discounted cocktails and pairing menus, entry to cocktail festivities and other exclusive promotions.