PUBLISHED March 23rd, 2014 12:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:31 pm
It’s no secret that Singapore’s bar industry has come a long, long way in recent years. From perhaps a handful of above-average cocktail bars 3-4 years ago, the cocktail and bar scene in Singapore has exploded like an active volcano, covering our red dot in a steaming flow of tasty beverages and classy joints.
Nowadays in trendy parts of town like Keong Saik Road, Kampong Glam and Boat Quay you can find a veritable plethora of unique, great bars offering an even more impressive range of drinks. From boutique wines to craft beers and of course some absolutely world-class cocktails made by top International and Singaporean talent.
Organised by industry veteran, Tron Young, the Singapore Bar Industry Awards (SBIA) seeks to expose and highlight this very fact, and to show what industry professionals rank as the best of Singapore. Tallied from votes from 100 Singapore-based bartenders, spirits importers, journalists and industry experts, as they anonymously voted on four main categories; their favourite bartender, favourite cocktail bar, favourite bar (to hang out), and finally the person or group that they think made the greatest contribution to the industry this year.
So who won? Keep reading and all shall be revealed….
1) Best Bartender in Singapore
This is the industry’s favourite bartender, taking into account style, friendliness, service, and of course the high standard of their liquid gold.
10th place: Zdenek Kastanek (28 Hong Kong Street)
9th place: Louis Tan (L’Aiglon)
8th place: Stuart Danker (Jigger & Pony)
7th place: Peter Chua (28 Hong Kong Street)
6th place: Zac Mirza (House of Dandy)
5th place: Boo Jing Heng (Jigger & Pony)
4th place: Zach de Git (Tippling Club)
3rd place: Sam Wong (Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall)
2nd place: Jeremy Chua (28 Hong Kong Street)
1st place: Aki Eguchi (Jigger & Pony)
Twice winner of Diageo Reserve’s World Class Singapore competition, Jigger & Pony’s bar manager is an absolute pro, having worked in some of the best bars around the world, Aki has been instrumental in helping Jigger & Pony climb to even greater heights and its rightful place among the best of the best. Congratulations Aki!
*Highest ranking female: Bannie Kang (Anti:Dote)
In a male dominated sport, the petite Bannie Kang has been making waves since her recent entrance to the cocktail game, and just this week landed a place as finalist in Diageo Reserve’s coveted World Class competition.
2) Best Cocktail Bar in Singapore
As you might have guessed, the industry-voted bar for producing and mixing the best cocktails in town.
And in 10th place: Bitters & Love
9th place: Fordham & Grand
8th place: The Horse’s Mouth
7th place: The Cufflink Club
6th place: House of Dandy
5th place: Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
4th place: The Library
3rd place: Tippling Club
2nd place: Jigger & Pony
1st place: 28 Hong Kong Street
Let’s face it, when 28 Hong Kong Street opened its doors a couple of years ago, a new standard was set. With bar after bar opening up all over town, not only have they maintained their standard but have created new, impressive ways to stay ahead of the game. Michael, Zdenek, Peter, Jeremy, Desiree and the rest of the 28HKS team, us Nomads wish you a hearty congratulations; you’ve absolutely earned your place at #1.
3) Best Bar in Singapore
This category is not just about cocktails, but about where the industry-folk like to hang out on a regular basis. This can mean beer joints, wine bars, even the local pub…
10th place: Bitter & Love
9th place: Fordham & Grand
8th place: Tippling Club
7th place: The Horse’s Mouth
6th place: The Library
5th place: The Cufflink Club
4th place: House of Dandy
3rd place: Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
2nd place: 28 Hong Kong Street
1st place: Jigger & Pony
With the results in this category certainly resembling the ‘best cocktail bar’ round, it’s clear that cocktails are the biggest pull, and of course Jigger & Pony was bound to score highly. They do have after all have 3 of their bartenders in the top 10 bartenders list! Impressive stuff. Readers, if you’ve not been down to this incredible Amoy Street venue, get your butt over there ASAP!
4) Greatest contribution to the Industry
The bar industry has come far over the years. No longer is it a choice of rubbish bar or slightly less rubbish bar. The standard in Singapore is simply world-class. But it’s beyond doubt that there’s been at least a few people helping to push this trend along…and here they are:
In 10th place: Joel Fraser
9th place: Zdenek Kastanek
8th place: Din Hassan
7th place: Diageo (World Class)
6th place: Zac Mirza
5th place: Indra Kantono
4th place: Aki Eguchi
3rd place: Michael Callahan
2nd place: Shawn Kishore
Placing highest as an individual, Shawn Kishore is one of Singapore’s longest players in the industry. Having personally trained many of the bartenders nominated for ‘Best Bartender’ award. These days he can be spied performing his craft at The Horse’s Mouth.
1st place: 28 Hong Kong Street / Proof & Company
Not just importing some of the world’s finest spirits to Singapore, the team behind Proof & Company have relentlessly been working to showcase and expand the spirit and cocktail craft, working not just on their own superb bar, 28 Hong Kong Street, but actively getting as involved as possible with other professionals to help nurture the seeds of growth in this fast-paced industry. Well done!
Do you agree with the results? What other bars would you have liked to see in the top 10? Have you been to all of the venues mentioned?
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Written by The City Nomad