You know an idea is so simple yet so great when immediate reactions sum up to, "Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?". Well, they did. Draft Land founder/bartender Angus Zou did, to be specific. Originally launched in ZhongXiao, Taiwan in 2018, the bar led the pioneering concept for cocktails on tap in Asia. The Draft System, created by beverage R&D company Drinks Lab, works by injecting N2 or CO2 into the tipples for a fast, high quality selection.
So why consider this approach clever? Firstly, you save on the wait time. If you can already get cocktails in a can, why not on tap? Sure, you don't get to witness the fancy shakes and distilled pours, but watching the 'draftenders' locate which of the identical taps—which aren't labelled or numbered—dispenses your order is itself a form of entertainment too.
Another undeniable benefit is the establishment's Sample Service, which allows you to try a shot of the cocktail before you commit to a full size. This was, in fact, an essential feedback the founders commonly received about bars that spurred the idea. The venture also comes as a collaboration with Nutmeg & Clove's Shelley Tai, so you can be assured that standards... are there.
With more standing spaces than seating, it's definitely a casual arrangement. There's nothing to complain about the industrial colour palette, cosy pub-style layout and straightforward overhead menu—unproblematic, if not for ingredients in a font size too small.
While accessibility and affordability are key here, going from SGD18 (SGD12 for non-alcoholic) a pop, the cocktails are surprisingly good. Perhaps the only giveaways in a hypothetical blind test would be the extremely smooth texture and lack of garnish. There are currently 20 mainstays, with savoury-sweet Popcorn & Coke marking the highest ABV on the board.
To commemorate The World's 50 Best Bars happening in Singapore for the first time, exclusive creations crafted by internationally-recognised bartenders are available throughout the month of October, highlighted in red on the menu board.
Oolong Tea Collins (Antonio Lai of Quinary, Hong Kong) is the first tea-infused attempt of several personally tried over the years that actually tastes like the perfect ratio of tea to alcohol; where both ingredients harmonised rather than kill each other in the fight for the spotlight. Peach & Coke (Demie Kim of Zest, Seoul) is a dream for those who love the flavours old school cough syrup. A safe choice for the unadventurous would be the Margarita Spritz (Matt Whiley of Re-, Sydney), while Soul of Osaka (Hidetsugu Ueno of High Five, Tokyo) would easily divide the room.
Fret not, you won't be drinking on an empty stomach. Taiwanese-inspired bites like the Braised Pork Arancini, Egg Pancake and duck-fat fries are amongst the yet-to-be expanded list of ideal companions.
Draft Land is located on 24 Purvis Street, Singapore 188601.
Okay so you're a snob who chases the stars and want only the international bars who made last year's inaugural list. There's no shame in that, we've got your snooty rear covered. As you know, the event is held outside Europe for the very first time. Not only is World's 50 Best Bars coming to Asia, but awards season will be kicked off in Singapore's very own Pasir Panjang power station on 17 October.
Starting the weekend leading up to it, do look out for 50 Best Signature Sessions that's newly introduced for the 2023 edition. Five of these collaborations will take place across some of the country's best bars. Here are some suggestions to make the most of the guest shifts when stars align.
15 October, 7 pm - 9 pm, 9 pm - 11 pm
16 October, 9 pm - 11 pm
It's tough to beat the current top dog in both World's Best Bars and Europe's Best Bars 2022 list. Known for its aesthetic drama, Barcelona's No. 1 bar is also the bar responsible for the literal Supercool Martini where a 'supercooled' gin mix is used to build an iceberg in the glass, and On Fire, which utilises laser to create a flame for smoking the Jerez wine.
Manhatta, Overstory
18 October, 8 pm - 12 am
16 October, 4 pm - 7 pm / 10 pm - 1 am
The Connaught Bar (No. 8) brings London's cocktail excellence through Director of Mixology Ago Perrone. Fun fact: Perrone used to work with Manhattan’s Bar Manager Rusty Cerven back when Cerven was at The Connaught Bar. Bar Manager Maura Milia and Mixologist Riccardo Lugano join in the cocktail artistry for signature concoctions such as the Connaught Martini, The Goodfellas, the Faraway Collins, and the Eclipse Code. This is followed by Blue Bar's distinctive offerings such as Raj by Night, Mirror Martini, the Roadrunner, and London to Singapore, all expertly crafted by Bar Manager Marcello Cauda and Head Bartender Giovanni Bruno.
50 Best Signature Session: Dark Spirits Brunch x Botanist Bar
15 October, 12 pm - 3 pm
Friends of Manhattan with DUKES Bar
18 October, 5 pm - 10 pm
16 October, 9 pm
To fully appreciate the Italian aperitif tradition, you ought to experience the bar that is best known as the Milanese institution that birthed the now globally-known Aperitivo ritual. Camparino in Galleria (No. 73) will be serving Italian classics such as the Negroni and Sbagliato in the capable hands of Bar Manager and Head of Mixology Tommaso Cecca for one night only.
Worlds’ 50 Best Bars Signature Session: Freni e Frizioni
18 October, 8 pm
16 October, 9 pm - 12 am
The man behind Sips (No. 3) will be visiting one of Singapore's fanciest bars, which will be specially open from 5 pm on a Monday for the event. This time in the stead of his recent purchase—the historical Boadas Cocktails, the oldest bar in Barcelona— Caporale will be expressing expertly crafted cocktails in full vintage charm.
Worlds’ 50 Best Bars Signature Session: Little Red Door, Southside Parlour
15 October, 7 pm - 12 am
16 October, 8 pm - 12 am
Leading the current Best Bar in Mexico, co-founders Eric Van Beek and Rodrigo Urraca of Handshake Speakeasy (No. 11) will be pouring out innovative tipples such as Roku Gin-based Tomato Is A Fruit and Big in Japan, a Chita Whisky cocktail with toasted barley and shiso.
50 Best Signature Session: Whisk(e)y Lovers' Night with Tjoget
14 October, 6 pm - 10 pm
Bar Benfiddich
15 October, 8 pm - 12 am
15 October, 8 pm - 12 am
Making its debut just last year (No. 23), the decade-old establishment has earned its moniker as London's bartender's bar. You know it's all class and no frills when it's launched by alumni of the former two-time World’s Best Bar, Milk & Honey.
Allegory
14 October, 8 pm - 10 pm
The Savory Project
16 October, 8 pm - 12 am
Atwater Cocktail Club
18 October, 8 pm - 12 am
15 October, 8 pm - 12 am
You're not mistaken if you find the guest bartender familiar because you may have seen him before at Tippling Club. Having returned to his home city Manchester, Joe Schofield has since opened a bar with his brother which is now No. 59 on the extended list. With homage to the 1930s, you get elegant numbers like Chicago Lightning, Woodfood Reserve Bourbon stirred-down with dry curacao, orange blossom water and chocolate bitters.
Soko Seoul
14 October, 8 pm - 10 pm
Martiny's
16 October, 8 pm - 12 am
16 October, 8 pm - 12 am
Savour the best of Africa with Front/Back representing Accra, Hero Bar (No. 68) from Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg's Sin+Tax (No. 100). Flavour profiles come in Hendrick's Gin-based Berbere that highlights the hot spice blend integral to Ethiopian cuisine, amongst a slew of culture-crafted cocktails.
Speak Low
14 October, 8 pm - 10 pm
The Cambridge Public House
15 October, 8 pm - 12 am
15 October, 8 pm
Bar Leone may not be considered an industry veteran, but its founder surely is. An established name in Asia’s bar circuit, Lorenzo Antinori previously helmed Caprice Bar, which peaked at No. 10 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, and ARGO, which made a debut at No. 3 and subsequently No. 28 on World’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Here, spotlighting Campari, expect modern cocktails with a strong Italian influence inspired by his upbringing in Rome.
15 October, 8 pm
Julio Cabrera from Café La Trova (No. 21 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022) will guest shift with Latino tunes by DJ AKA sounds. Nutmeg Collective will also be hosting esteemed mixologists from award-winning bars with special bar bites menu by LG Han of Labyrinth across its other bars. UK's Scarfes Bar will be taking to Last Word with live jazz performances by Soukma, while Japan's Bar High Five presents a Cocktail Omakase by the legendary Ueno San at Room 0202.
NoMad London Takeover at Writers Bar
15 October, 6 pm - 9 pm
Service Bar at Sago House
15 October, 7 pm
Caretakers Cottage at Offtrack
16 October, 8 pm
Danico x CMYK at Nighthawk
16 October, 9 pm
Aperitif Bar at Junior The Pocket Bar
18 October, 7 pm - 10 pm
The 15th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars will be announced on Tuesday, 17th October.
