Last year, the alcoholic beverage industry in Asia Pacific was valued at $234 billion, up from $200 billion from the year before, according Euromonitor International. And more bars in Asia-Pacific are making their name globally: 2016 saw nine Asia-Pacific bars on Drinks International’s list of World’s 50 Best Bars.
Along with this growth, consumers are increasingly looking for bars that offer more than just a cold drink — they’re searching for immersive experiences that tingle all five senses.
Two individuals saw an opportunity in that and conceptualized the idea of a “Singapore Cocktail Festival” that could offer bar-goers spirit masterclasses, themed cocktail rooms and bar tours that would provide a platform for consumers to “taste, learn and play.”
This year’s six-day long festival began Thursday and gathers renowned bartenders from all over the world. In facilitating this exchange of talent and skills, the event aims to position Singapore as a leading cocktail city in Asia.
“There definitely is an elevation in terms of craft from the bartenders side,” and “a greater appreciation of the cocktails that are being served today,” Ivy Woo, co-founder and director of the festival, told CNBC.
Indeed, it is events like the festival that have enabled industry professionals to share their knowledge and passion for the craft. Philip Bischoff, bar manager at the Manhattan Bar in Singapore, said he attributes his bar’s success to the “community spirit” that exists in the industry. The bar was named Asia’s best for 2016 at the World’s 50 Best Bar Awards.
