Bartendar Kazuhis Arai of Sober Company mixing a cocktail at the Singapore Cocktail Festival

Heads (and bottoms) up, alcohol aficionados! The world’s best bars, bartenders and alcohol make a return to the Lion City this year, with the annual Singapore Cocktail Festival (SGCF) 2020.

Now in its 6th year, this beloved celebration will bring you into the intricate world of artisanal alcohol and cocktail making, with the best bartenders from our shores and across the globe bringing you a host of collaborations, mixology workshops and communal events.

If all the excitement is starting to make your head spin, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect.

Double the festivities, double the fun

Unlike previous year’s festivals, this year’s SGCF will comprise two distinct editions, happening in May and October.

Anticipation will begin to brew from 15 to 22 May, with the SGCF City Takeover. Uncover a whole range of drink promotions, bar tours and mixology-themed experiences at some of our island’s most beloved bars.

This year’s edition of the festival will also feature the inaugural BarStar Awards, which shines a spotlight on some of the most promising young bartenders and rising stars in the industry.

Competitors at the awards wil concoct cocktails inspired by the neighbourhood where their bars are located, and festival-goers wil be able to sample these cocktails at the respective bars.

In high spirits at the Festival Village
Caucasian bartender concocting a drink with three liquor bottles

One of the key highlights of SGCF, the Festival Village at the Bayfront Event Space next to Marina Bay Sands brings the biggest names in bartending under one roof.

The second edition of this year’s SGCF—The Festival Village—takes place from 23rd to 25th October, with ample opportunity for cocktail lovers to Taste, Love and Play.

Expect to experience exclusive masterclasses, signature cocktails from headlining bartenders, and a slew of bar pop ups and buzzing activities.

The inspired concoctions at this year’s event will be found at 4 distinct pavilions, namely the SGCF Pavilion, Gin Pavilion, Whisky and Rum Pavilion, and Open Marquee, with each featuring some of the world’s top bars and most beloved spirits.

Cocktail lovers will be able to sample concoctions from all across the world, with the 50 acclaimed bars featured at the SGCF Pavilion. These include acclaimed watering holes like Hope & Sesame from Shanghai and The Old Man Singapore.

Visitors looking to discover the talents of our talented mixologists can mosey down to the Open Marquee, which features 24 of our island’s top bars.

Alternatively If artisanal spirits are up your alley, The Whisky and Rum Pavilion and Gin Pavilion boasts a selection from top-notch brands, ranging from Maker’s Mark and Havana Club to our very own Brass Lion Distillery.

A constellation of bartending’s biggest stars
Group of attendees at the Singapore Cocktail Festival

More than just a meeting point for alcohol enthusiasts, bartendending legends and mixology specialists, the Singapore Cocktail Festival is a celebration of the industry’s talent.

One of the highlights of the event—the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony—lauds some of the region’s top bars and most talented bartenders. Singapore’s very own watering holes—such as Manhattan, Native and Atlas—were some of the notable entries that made this prestigious list in 2019.

Whether you’re planning to embark on a unforgettable cocktail-tasting tour with the SGCF City Takeover the or share drinks with adventurous tipplers at The Festival Village, be sure to download the Sluggr app to check out the promotions available.