The first edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, held outside Europe saw bartenders, suppliers and drinks aficionados converge on Asia’s cocktail capital for a carnival of collaboration and celebration. Check out the visual highlights from the official event programme, featuring Singapore Slings, sumptuous seafood, symbolic scarves and a bar called Sips…
1. Welcome to Singapore!
The global bar community landed in the Lion City – the first time The World’s 50 Best Bars has been hosted in Asia in its history. How to celebrate this historic occasion? With a signature Singapore Sling, of course, created in Raffles’ Long Bar back in 1915.
2. An iconic venue for the Bartenders’ Feast
Raffles Singapore is not only (officially) one of the best hotels on the planet, it is also a city landmark in its own right. Kicking off the official 50 Best event programme, the Bartenders’ Feast was held on Raffles’ beautifully manicured lawn.
3. Talent comes to town
Bar teams arrived from across the globe, including the team from Tres Monos, newly crowned winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, from Buenos Aires, as well as Giacomo Giannotti and Margarita Sader of last year’s No.1 bar, Paradiso in Barcelona.
4. Italians in the mix
The Feast came with plentiful cocktails, courtesy of ‘tending legend Dennis Zoppi and fellow Italian Giulia Cuccurullo of Artesian, who served a Tigernuts cocktail (centre) featuring Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky and Amaro Lucano.
5. Mortadella and mezcal – what’s not to love?
Completing the Italian takeover, Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone in Hong Kong served up his inimitable mortadella sandwiches, alongside a Yuzu Negroni with Los Siete Misterios mezcal.
6. Academy Chairs strike a pose
The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars is the result of the votes of 680 experts worldwide. They are recruited by these beautiful people, who head up our voting academies in 28 regions, covering the entire planet.
7. No ordinary serves
Creating cocktails for the cocktail community is a challenge that was more than met by our brilliant guest bartenders, utilising a variety of glassware and serves. Zoppi’s Totoro (top right) incorporated Rémy Martin 1738 and London Essence Blood Orange & Elderflower Tonic, along with some classy branding. Meanwhile the T&T (bottom right) from the team at Writers Bar featured Torres Brandy and Scrappy’s Black Lemon Bitters, plus a pink peppercorn garnish.
8. Magical garden
The private garden provided a stunning setting for a memorable but relaxed evening – prior to the gala awards ceremony the following evening.
9. An electric night at the power station
Guests arrived at the Pasir Panjang Power Station venue for The World’s 50 Best Bars awards evening. Bar teams were honoured with the signature red scarves, courtesy of Matusalem, denoting each bar’s appearance on the list, as well as ceremonial shakers courtesy of Mancino Vermouth and Amaro Lucano – modelled by the team from Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich!
10. Gen Z in the house
2023 marked the second edition of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship, which saw three brilliant young finalists (from a field of more than 600 aspiring professionals) join the festivities. They arrived in style on the red carpet, accompanied by the team from The Blend by Beam Suntory, prior to the reveal of the Scholarship winner: Apoorva Kohli.
11. A warehouse party – with serious cocktails
The awards event saw more than 1,000 drinks-lovers gather in the cavernous harbourside premises, where they mingled excitably before the reveal of the 2023 list, aided by more than 20 bars kindly provided 50 Best’s partners – such Ketel One Vodka (pictured). The ceremony is organised with the support of all 50 Best’s partners, including official credit card partner American Express.
12. The countdown commences
New awards host Nikki Muller brought a high-energy vibe to an already buzzing atmosphere as she kicked off the countdown of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, accompanied by on-stage DJ Candice.
13. Korea continues its ascent
With Seoul considered one of the world’s hottest destinations in both food and drink terms, it was fitting that the city’s premier drinkery – Zest – bagged the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, coming in at No.18.
14. The Lady from Lima
The Campari One To Watch Award, which shines a spotlight on an rising-star bar, went to Lady Bee, located in the Peruvian capital – much to the surprise and delight of head bartender Alejandra León.
15. Australian rules
Named The Best Bar in Australasia, sponsored by Naked Malt, Sydney favourite Maybe Sammy brought the biggest crew of the night onto the stage. (They do things differently Down Under.)
16. Colombian colour
The team from Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia, provided a memorable moment when all three simultaneously flung powder into the air representing the colours of their national flag. Oh – and their place picked up The Best Bar in South America title.
17. Tato the titan
One highpoint of the evening’s festivities was the recognition of Renato ‘Tato’ Giovannoni as the Roku Industry Icon 2023. The Argentinian owner of Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires has been a pioneer and mentor over a career lasting more than three decades. One of the bar world’s great characters, the award confirms him as a giant of the Latin American hospitality sector.
18. Bartending genius, sartorial sage
Taiwan-born GN Chan of Double Chicken Please in New York – named The Best Bar in North America, sponsored by Tia Maria – was also honoured with the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. The accolade rewards his innovation in cocktail creation as well as his community-focused philosophy. He also rocked one of the coolest outfits of the night (just saying).
19. The atmosphere – and tension – builds
As the countdown edged towards the top end of the list, celebrations in the room intensified, excitement mounted and mutual appreciation abounded – all in anticipation of the announcement of a new No.1.
20. Sips is named The World’s Best Bar 2023, sponsored by Perrier!
Co-founders Marc Alvarez and Simone Caporale took to the stage amid tumultuous applause to take home the trophies for The Best Bar in Europe as well as the coveted No.1 spot. Not bad for a small bar born in the aftermath of the pandemic – testament to the duo’s humble approach combined with immense skill and vivid imagination.
21. Alvarez tells a tale or two
At the post-awards press conference, the world-beating Spanish bartender regaled the media with wonderful stories involving jars of Nutella, toddlers learning to walk and how middle-aged he felt compared to his youthful team. He was quite pleased with the result from the night, too.
22. The day after the night before
What do you need after a big night of celebration? A range of restorative drinks (at a variety of ABV levels) – imbibed with the help of Organics We Are sustainable straws, of course. Step forward 50 Best’s official Closing Party, hosted at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Singapore.
23. Food, food and more food
Assembled guests tucked into an array of delicious dishes, courtesy of two of the city’s finest chefs: Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends and Petrina Loh of Morsels.
24. Singapore’s bars representing
Billed as a ‘Farewell from Singapore’, the event saw drinks mixed by teams from some of the city’s most exciting drinking spots, including the soon-to-open Punch Room, led by Dario Schiavoni, and Celia Schoonraad’s Barbary Coast. Schiavoni proffered an Emporium Punch, while Celia delivered a Stig Spritz majoring on Bareksten aquavit.
25. We feast together
Bartenders converged for one final time in Sing to break bread (plus tacos, seafood, noodles, sashimi, curries, charcuterie, cheeses, donuts and more) generously curated by Embu at the MO.
26. Time for one more?
The last tipple came at the MO Bar itself, working alongside the team from Singapore’s Stay Gold Flamingo, including the MO team’s World Trip cocktail (above).
27. See you next time!
That concludes a momentous few days of celebration in the wonderful city of Singapore. We will return in 2024 with a brand new ranking and accompanying festivities. Stay tuned on our channels for more news.
Experience The World's 50 Best Bars 2023:
The 15th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced on Tuesday, 17th October 2023 in Singapore. To stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, browse the website, follow us on Instagram, find us on Facebook, visit us on X and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
