PUBLISHED March 8th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED June 18th, 2020 06:50 pm
To say that the bar scene has exploded in Singapore would be the drink-lovers understatement of the year. From a few years ago of having a handful of decent cocktail joints, with the main scene dominated by sports and dive bars, Singapore has triumphantly pushed its way to international headlines, topping prestigious lists around the world with its amazing talent and venues.
Today the bar scene in Singapore easily rivals the best of the best of London, New York or Sydney and it shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. New bars open, bad bars close down, and the best retain a loyal clientele.
It was no surprise that this time last year (and about time!), one of Singapore’s most influential players on the bar scene, Tron Young, helped organise the inaugural Singapore Bar Awards. Team City Nomads had the pleasure to be actively involved last year and this year we are privileged to have exclusive and first dibs access in announcing this years full list of winners to the public.
Voted by the industry, for the industry, this year’s winners were determined by a panel of 75 carefully selected judges.
So without further ado, let’s get down to business!
Contribution to the Industry, Group or Company
5. 28 Hong Kong Street (Bar)
4. La Maison du Whisky
3. William Grants & Sons
2. Diageo
1. Proof & Company
Well no surprises there. The guys behind the incredibly successful 28 Hong Kong Street came and took Singapore by storm. Providing training and education for bartenders around the isle and of course importing some of the world’s best spirits. Winners of last year for the same category, they undoubtably deserve it. Put simply, the Singapore cocktail scene would not be what it is today without them.
Proof & Co. team
Contribution to the Industry, Individual
5. Peter Chua (28 Hong Kong Street)
4. Tron Young (Singapore Bar Awards Organizer)
Tron Young
3. Zach De Git (William Grants & Sons)
2. Zdenek Kastanek (Proof & Company)
1. Shawn Kishore (Bespoken Concepts)
Bar scene veteran Shawn Kishore has worked both behind the scenes and front of house long before the bar scene found its footing. For those that know him, his contribution to developing Singapore’s bar scene over the years is immeasurable. He currently directs and operates his bar consultancy firm ‘Bespoke Concepts‘.
Shawn Kishore
Best Bar Food 2015
5. Manhattan Bar
4. Tess Bar & Kitchen
3. Anti:Dote
2. Fordham & Grand
Lobster linguine at Fordham & Grand
1. 28 Hong Kong Street
Ceviche, mouthwateringly tender Reuben sandwiches and those truffle mac ‘n cheese balls are just some of their classics. Sometimes if I know I’m headed to 28 HKS for drinks, I’ll miss dinner. The food here is superb. A great menu, expertly executed. Perfect for bar bites to pair with your drink, or genuinely for a dinner affair.
Best Service Crew 2015
5. Tess Bar & Kitchen
4. Ah Sam Cold Drinks Stall
3. Manhattan Bar
2. Jigger & Pony
Aki Eguchi pours at Jigger & Pony
1. 28 Hong Kong Street
Talk to anyone who has ever worked at 28 Hong Kong and they’re probably say something like ‘The 28HKS team is one big family’. These guys work hard, and train their staff incredibly well from the ground up. I always think that the mark of good service is not perfect service but a proper dealing with problems by the service crew when problems occur. Having experience the occasional set-back on crazy busy nights, it’s always amazed me how well the the 28HKS crew deal with it. Professionally, friendly and welcoming.
The service crew at 28 Hong Kong Street
Best New Bar 2015
5. Nutmeg & Clove
4. Sugarhall
3. Manhattan Bar
2. Tess Bar & Kitchen
1. Operation Dagger
Hiding in a hard-to find basement on Ann Siang, it’s easy to walk right by Operation (Cloak and) Dagger. Headed by the wildly beardy Luke Whearty, you’d be hard pushed to find a more unique bar concept in Singapore. They distill their own spirits, there’s no branded bottled, and the presentation of their cocktails in second to none on the Singapore scene. If you’ve not been down here yet, you need to ASAP before it gets ‘too’ popular.
‘Mulled Wine’ at Operation Dagger
Best Bar 2015
5. Jigger & Pony
4. Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
3. Manhattan Bar
2. Tippling Club
Tippling Club (photo credit: Tippling Club)
1. 28 Hong Kong Street
With Proof winning best contribution to the industry, and 28 Hong Kong Street clearing Best Bar Food and Best Service Crew, it’s really no surprise that the bar that helped changed the scene in Singapore is still number 1. Having just gone through some very stylish renovations, 28 HKS offers up consistently good drinks, great service and an atmosphere that invites you to stay until closing. Kudos.
Best Female Bartender 2015
5. Chrystine Lee of Jigger & Pony
4. Hannah Waters of Proof & Company
3. Hilda Ura of The Spiffy Dapper
2. Kino Soh of Hopstoch
1. Bannie Kang of Nutmeg & Clove
Formally of Anti:dote bar, the tiny Korean powerhouse has gone from strength to strength and now shakes and mixes at the Singapore-centric Nutmeg & Clove on Ann Siang Road.
Bannie Kang
Best Male Bartender 2015
5. Nicholas Quattroville (formally of The Library)
4. Sam Wong of Ah Sam Cold Drinks Stall
3. Vijay Mudaliar of Operation Dagger
2. Peter Chua of 28 Hong Kong Street
1. Tom Hogan of Anti:Dote
Curating and designing Anti:dote’s drinks menu, Tom’s creativity, management skills are just a by-product of what he does best…. make damn good drinks! He is of course an absolute charmer and makes all guests feel welcome, which in this Nomad’s opinion is exactly how it should be! Congratulations Tom!
Until next year!
Tom Hogan
Now, go, enjoy Singapore Cocktail Week!
Which is your favourite bar or bartender to be awarded in the Singapore Bar Awards 2015?