Tag: cocktails

Lift Your Spirits At The S’pore Cocktail Festival This May With Pop-Ups, Tastings, And Bar Battles

Cocktail lovers rejoice, for your time has come!

The Singapore Cocktail Festival is back for another edition this May!

From 4 to 13 May 2018, the 10-day festival will kick off at Empress Lawn, in front of Victoria Theatre Concert Hall, the new home for the Festival Village.

Festival Village

Open from 4 to 6 May 2018, the Festival Village at the Empress Lawn aims to bring together 30 of the best cocktail bars in Singapore and the region into one big party.

You will be able to sample creative cocktails by internationally-acclaimed bars, bartenders and partnering brands.

The Singapore bars line-up include Astor Bar, Bob’s Bar, Caffe Fernet, Cin Cin, Mitzo Restaurant & Bar, Nutmeg & Clove, Propeller Bar, Red Tail Bar, Smoke & Mirrors, Tess Bar & Kitchen, and The Wall.

The regional line-up will feature James Estes from Skullduggery, Bob Louison from Pussyfoot Salon and more!

That’s not all, the Festival Village will also be bringing back the Artisanal Spirits Tasting Room, featuring small batches of handcrafted spirits.

There will also be a Bar Battle which will pit country-led bartending teams against each other in flaring, speed and mystery ingredient challenges.

If you’re hungry, there will be a Food Street at the Festival Village and there will also be live DJ sets and mixes to keep festival-goers’ spirits (Hehe) up.

Tickets

Ticket prices go from $28 to $50, excluding booking fee.

There are 3 ticket prices available. The $28 ticket entitles you to a 1-day festival pass, a 3-piece SGCF Cocktail Set (worth $50), and a SG Cocktail Passport (worth $15).

The $35 ticket comes with an additional complimentary cocktail (worth $12) on top of the existing items in the $28 ticket.

The $50 ticket entitles you to a 3-day festival pass, a 3-piece SGCF Cocktail Set (worth $50), a complimentary cocktail (worth $12), an artisanal tasting card for four 15ml shots, and a SG Cocktail Passport (worth $15).

You may purchase your tickets here.

Festival Deals Around The City

From 4 to 13 May 2018, SG Cocktail Passport holders will be able to enjoy Festival deals in the best cocktail  bars and restaurants in Singapore.

Deals include discounted cocktail and special cocktail and food pairing menus.

Participating restaurants include Astor Bar, Bar Stories, Bob’s Bar, Caffe Fernet, Chihuly Bar, Cin Cin, Elixir Bar, Mitzo Restaurant & Bar, Nutmeg & Clove, Potato Head Folk, Propeller Bar, Red Tail Bar, Smoke & Mirrors, Tess Bar & Kitchen, and The Wall.

Attendees will be able to purchase the SG Cocktail Passport from the Festival Village for $15 nett.

Festival Village ticket holders get the SG Cocktail Passport for free.

It’s time to gather all your alcoholic mates for some fancy cocktail tasting!

Singapore Cocktail Festival 2018
Date: 4 – 13 May 2018

Festival Village
Venue: Empress Lawn, in front of Victoria Theatre Concert Hall
Date: 4 – 6 May 2018
Price: $28 – $50
Website

Also read 10 Best Places To Get Ice Cream And Waffles Because CRAVINGS

(Header Image Source: Singapore Cocktail Festival)

Newly Opened LuLu’s Lounge Brings The 60s’ New York Back Alley Club To Singapore’s Nightlife Scene

A new night spot has opened up in town and it’s burlesque dancers, inventive cocktails, and old school nostalgia galore!

LuLu’s Lounge is not your average club. A unique nightlife concept, the quirky lounge comprises a dance floor, outdoor terrace and a dynamic entertainment line-up.

You won’t find any 18 year-olds getting wasted here. Lulu’s is firmly pitched at the more refined crowd.

The adult-oriented lounge is made for the mature crowd that wants to party, but in a less intense clubbing environment.

[caption id="attachment_25941" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit:

Be prepared to be taken on a musical journey that starts off with live jazz.

It then progresses to old school, hip-hop funk or dancehall as the night goes on and morning comes.

[caption id="attachment_25942" align="aligncenter" width="1904"] Image Credit:

LuLu’s must-try drinks (starting at $24) are cocktails with a coy twist.

‘Big Coconuts’, for one, is very similar to a Pina Colada, but with a tangy, sour punch, and vodka.

[caption id="attachment_25944" align="aligncenter" width="836"] Image Credit:

If you’re familiar with Bang Bang and Employees Only, LuLu’s is opened by the same people, Sarissa and Joshua Schwartz.

The husband-and-wife duo draws inspiration from a fictional character, Lulu.

[caption id="attachment_25934" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Image Credit:

10 Uniquely Singaporean Cocktails You Can’t Find Anywhere Else In The World

In the 1900s, the first cocktail with a local twist was born: the Singapore Sling. Fast forward 100+ years later, and we are seeing a new wave of locally inspired cocktails handcrafted all over bars in Singapore! 

These unconventional concoctions are the genius works of Singaporean bartenders who have delved deep into their roots to create drinks that capture different aspects of Singapore. Kudos to these guys who’ve created some amazing drinks out of flavours and elements that hit so close to home!

Without further ado, here’s our guide to 10 uniquely Singaporean cocktails you can’t find anywhere else in the world!

1. The Red Ruby – Hopscotch Bar

Kicking off this list is The Red Ruby, a crowd favourite at Hopscotch, a craft cocktail bar tucked away in the colonial Red Dot Traffic Building.

[caption id="attachment_23498" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Red Ruby ($22), Image Credit: Topped with an Ang Ku Kueh Agar Agar, the Red Ruby will definitely get people looking over. The drink is a mixture of homemade coconut sorbet, Angostura Light Rum, and pandan syrup. A coconut-y cocktail that doubles as a dessert, this drink is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Hopscotch2. Laksa Cocktail – Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is a hidden speakeasy with limited seating. Here, they make almost every syrup and ingredient from scratch, and boast a wide variety of cocktails with a local flair.

[caption id="attachment_23697" align="alignnone" width="640"]
Address: 60A Boat Quay, S049848
Contact: 6535 0838
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 6pm – 12am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 3am
Website

3. Raspberry Milo Moonshine – The Secret Mermaid

By day, this space operates as an unassuming Shinkansen, a Japanese Salad Bar, in the CBD. But once dusk falls, it transforms into The Secret Mermaid.

[caption id="attachment_23502" align="aligncenter" width="1620"] Milo Moonshine ($15), Image Credit: Topped with sticks of Pocky, this drink is perfect for all who are young at heart!

The Secret Mermaid4. Prawn Noodle Cocktail – Kuvo

Located in the heart of Orchard road, Kuvo, which means ‘blend’ in French, offers a fusion of flavours through their food and beverages.

[caption id="attachment_23510" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Prawn Noodle Cocktail ($20), Image Credit: Address: 321 Orchard Road, #02-01 S238866
Contact: 6733 8272
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 12pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 12pm – 2am; Sun 12pm – 1am
Mr. Bean ($23), Image Credit:
Address: 49 Tras Street, Singapore 078988
Contact: 6222 3349
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 6pm – 1am; Fri & Sat,6pm – 2am
Website

6. Tomyum Martini – Maison Ikkoku Bar

Also known for it’s cafe of the same name, Maison Ikkoku Bar is situated right above it. There, amidst the cosy chic vibe going on, you will find their gutsy Tomyum Martini.

A concoction leaning on the savoury side with salty, sour and peppery notes, it has a lingering spiciness that may prove too exotic for some.

[caption id="attachment_23623" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Tomyum Martini ($28), Image Credit:
Address: 20 Kandahar St, 1F, Singapore 198885
Contact: 6294 0078
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday – 4pm to 1am, Friday to Saturday and PH Eve – 4pm to 2am
Website

7. Pipagao Cocktail – Ding Dong

Pipagao is a traditional Chinese medicine many of us have taken at some point in our lives to relieve a cough or sore throat.

Who would have thought to turn it into an alcoholic drink? Well, the guys at Ding Dong did, which is why the Pipagao Cocktail now exists.

[caption id="attachment_23522" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Pipagao ($22), Image Credit:
Address: 23 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069703
Contact: 6884 6884
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am; Sat, 6pm – 12am
Website

8. Kaya Toast Cocktail – Bitters and Love

A play on a local breakfast favourite, Bitters and Love’s Kaya Toast Cocktail is fittingly served in a kaya jam jar.

[caption id="attachment_23526" align="aligncenter" width="975"] Kaya Toast Cocktail ($23), Image Credit:
Address: 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587
Contact: 6438 1836
Opening hours: Mon to Thu: 6pm – 12am, Fri to Sat: 6pm – 2am
Website

9. Singapore Sazerac – The Warehouse Hotel Bar

The newly opened Warehouse Hotel has an unmistakable slant towards Asian/Singaporean influences. This is clearly reflected especially in the hotel’s lobby bar, where they serve a unique Singapore Sazerac.

[caption id="attachment_23593" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Singapore Sazerac ($20), Image Credit:  a mix of spices, raisin bourbon, pandan bitters, rye, cognac, and absinthe. You can expect a kick from this cocktail!

The Warehouse Hotel Bar10. Kopi Cat – Loof

Loof, which affectionately pokes fun at the Singaporean pronunciation of ‘roof’, is a casual rooftop bar steeped in 90’s Singapore nostalgia. With a food and drink menu that gives off a distinctively local vibe, one of the must-tries here is The Kopi Cat.

[caption id="attachment_23534" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Kopi Cat ($19), Image Credit: Address: 331 North Bridge Road, #03-07, Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, Singapore 188720
Contact: 6337 9416
Opening hours: Mon to Thurs, 5pm – 1am; Fri to Sat, 5pm – 2am

10 Marvellous Activities to Kick Off Your March  [1-15 March]

Here we are once again at the beginning of a brand new month.

If work or school has fallen into that inevitable lull, don’t worry! As always, we’ve got some awesome events lined up to help you keep things interesting this month!

Here’s a calendar of 10 not-to-be-missed activities to kick start a month to remember!

Play & Discover

1. The Pillowman

Who says the theatre scene in Singapore is dead?

Enter Pangdemonium’s restaging of The Pillowman, a nail-biting, nightmarish nursery story for grown-ups.

The dark comedy, written by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, will have you squirming at the edge of your seats, even as you roar with laughter.

The story revolves around writer, Katurian, who is interrogated in a dark prison cell. His crime? Penning gruesome fairy tales that bear an uncanny resemblance to a series of child murders. Tensions soon mount as the line between real and fictional worlds blur in this darkly comic psycho thriller.

This sinister stunner of a play is a vicious whirlpool of thrilling storytelling and a scary examination of the very nature and purpose of art.

The Pillowman
Where: 9 Empress Pl, 179556
When: 24 February – 12 March 2017
Timings: Tue-Fri: 7.30pm, Sat: 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sun: 2.30pm, Sun: 7.30pm (12 Mar 2017)
Website

2. Singapore International Jazz Festival

Put on your jazz shoes, because the Singapore International Jazz Festival (SingJazz) is back!

#SingJazz2017 promises to be a dazzling musical extravaganza, set against Singapore’s glittering, iconic skyline at Marina Bay Sands.

Get ready for 3 days and 2 nights of world class music entertainment by some of the biggest names in jazz. Headliners include David Foster, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gilles Peterson and more! Kick back by the water as you enjoy the wind in your hair, amazing music in the air, all with a glass of bubbly in your hand!

Also, proceeds from the festival go towards the Foundation for Arts and Social Enterprise, which provides funding to nurture local jazz talents through the Jazz Academy.

Singapore Jazz Festival
Where: Marina Bay Sands Events Plaza (The Main Stage); MBS Expo and Convention Centre (The Late Show)
Address: 2 Bayfront Ave Singapore 018972
Date: 31 Mar-2 Apr 2017
Time: 4pm to 10.30pm (The Main Stage); 10pm to 4am (The Late Show)
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

3. Garden Beats Festival

This March, get ready for the #summervibes at Garden Beats!

Groove to the hottest electronic tunes at Sunshine Nation’s Electronic Picnic Festival. Expect a multi-sensory experience of music, food and games, all at Fort Canning Park.

4. Choking Hazard: An Exhibition About Toys

You’re never too old for toys–at least not the ones in this exhibition.

Kult will be showcasing the works of 30 artists and toy makers, in a great coming together of international artists and designers.

Inspired by the waste of mass production and over consumption, these artists have torn apart existing toys sourced from toy markets, and remixed them into new objects. Some are gruesome, some are hilarious, and all are witty as hell.

You can even make your own art! An assembly line of pre-loved toys will be available at the gallery to take apart and re-build into your own Frankenstein-ian art piece.

Choking Hazard: An Exhibition About Toys
Where: kult, C2-5, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120
Dates: 17 FEB – 18 MAR 2017
Time: Mon-Fri 11am to 7pm, Sat 2pm to 7pm
Facebook

5. Singapore Design Week

Bet you didn’t know there was a national agency for design.

Well, the Design Singapore Council’s mission is to develop our design sector to make life better. Sounds good to us.

What’s better, its annual Singapore Design Week is back!

Get artsy home goods at the International Furniture Fair, experience robust collaborations between local designers and the industry at Singaplural, or get inspired at the ‘Innovation By Design’ Conference.

Expect a week of Singapore’s creative culture and ecosystem that integrates design and creativity into our everyday life!

Singapore Design Week
Where: Multiple venues
When: 3012 March 2017
Phone: 6333 3737
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

Eat

6. PasarBella & Friends Go to Town

Here’s the perfect post workday idea: PasarBella & Friends Go to Town returns for the third iteration of its special pop-up market at this year’s i Light Marina Bay!

7. terratoria OLA

Prep your stomachs for a gastronomical adventure.

Michelin starred Chef Daniel (OLA Cocina Del Mar) and Chef Seita (terra) will come together for a one day only affair that is terratoria OLA!

[caption id="attachment_23259" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image credit: OLA Cocina Del Mar
Address: Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, #01-06 12 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018982
Date: 12 March 2017, 12pm to 4pm
Price: $150++
Reservations: +65 6604 7050
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

8. Singapore Cocktail Festival

Mix it up at Asia’s largest celebration of cocktails this March!

The inaugural Singapore Cocktail Festival promises to be an immersive experience that will excite the palates of novices and aficionados alike.

With a mish mash of activities to Taste, Learn and Play, you’ll get to interact with a truly global lineup of mixologists. Features include some of Singapore’s best cocktail bars, as well as world class bartenders from cocktail cities like Hong Kong, London, New York, Seoul and Tokyo.

Excite your palate at the experiential cocktail village, nurture the budding mixologist in you at the workshops, or jump in a themed cocktail party!

Singapore Cocktail Festival
Where: Multiple venues
When: Thursday March 16 2017 – Tuesday March 21 2017
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

9. Singapore Restaurant Week

The concept of Restaurant Week is unbelievably simple.

Dining City is offering limited seats for a special 3-course lunch and dinner at established local restaurants–for a fraction of their usual prices.

This 3-course menu will be offered at an irresistible fixed price of S$35++ for dinner and S$25++ for lunch all through the week.

Some of these luxe restaurants include the fancy 1919 Waterboat House, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse Singapore, Privé Grill, and Lewin Terrace.

What are you waiting for? Reserve your tables as soon as possible–we don’t know when’s the next time you’ll be able to savour this spread at such good prices.

Singapore Restaurant Week
Where: Participating restaurants
Date: 25 March 2017 – 1 April 2017
Email: [email protected]
Website
Who can resist a good flea and art market?

Much less one in the heart of 20 dazzling light art installations from 9 different countries. Enter Hypefest @ i Light Marina Bay!

[caption id="attachment_23255" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Image credit: MAAD[/caption]

Here is your one stop shop for artisanal goods featuring over 50 indie labels. Find eco-friendly crafted gifts and even personalized merchandise!

We won’t say more! Come down and experience it all for yourself. It’ll be an evening of pleasant discovery that’s sure to excite!

Hypefest @ i Light Marina Bay
Date: 3 Mar 2017 – 26 Mar 2017
Time: 4.00pm to 11.00pm
Venue: Marina Bay Seating Gallery Platform 20 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039805
Website

Excited yet? With this list of the freshest events, yummiest food spots, and shopping opportunities, there’s no reason to say “Singapore got nothing to do”!

Grab your friends and family, and kick back at these cannot miss activities! They’re sure to offer a well-deserved break from the work desk to keep you going all through the month.

Keep calm and March on!

Also read, These Light Art Installations Popping Up At Marina Bay Will Make You See Nature In A Whole New Light