Gone are the conservative days where Singaporeans are reluctant to splurge on a cocktail. In fact, cocktails are all the rage now with the ever-increasing number of cocktail bars and popup events etc. Unsurprisingly, Singapore’s Singapore Cocktail Week last year was a huge success and the exciting event will be returning next month from 12 to 19 March 2016.

Mark down your calendar as you will not want to miss this boozy celebration. Singapore Cocktail Week would be taking place across the sunny island in several places such as cocktail bars, gourmet restaurants and even Holland Village Food Court. The ticketed event is expanding twofold and it includes cocktail pairing events, masterclass workshops and more.

With so much ongoing during the festival, it can be a challenge to decide which program to sign up for. Here are the highlights from Singapore Cocktail Week 2016 so you can work on a plan for you and your drinking buddies.

Singapore’s cocktail scene is growing at a tremendous rate and there is truly no better time than the upcoming Singapore Cocktail Week to sample our nation’s best concoctions.

There will be approximately over 200 cocktail events and more than 60 venues partaking in this week-long festival. Obviously, due to time constraints you definitely cannot make it for all.

INTRODUCTORY CLASS TO COCKTAIL MAKING

It does not matter if you are an avid cocktail drinker or only just beginning to appreciate cocktails. So long as you are interested in learning how to prepare these alcoholic drinks, this fun-filled interactive event is for you. Bar Manager David Koh will be sharing his experience, knowledge and skills on being a bartender so you can set up your own cocktail bar at home.

Read: ladyironchef’s Cocktail Making Workshop at Changi City Point

Where: Bar Stories
Date: Saturday, 19 March 2016
Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Price: S$60 nett

COCKTAIL TASTING IN COMPLETE DARKNESS

Cocktail tasting has gone to a whole new level at NOX – Dine in the Dark Restaurant. Savour four divine signature alcoholic beverages while being in a state of blindness. Rely on your sense of taste and try to identify the liquors and ingredients used in your cocktail. The answers will be revealed upon at the end of the meal. Definitely a great way to bond with a loved one!

Where: NOX – Dine in the Dark Restaurant
Date: Sunday, 13 March 2016 – Thursday, 17 March 2016
Time: First seating – 6pm, Last Seating – 9pm
Price: S$60 nett

LEARN TO MAKE THE WORLD’S BEST COCKTAILS

Melbourne’s Black Pearl was voted as the world’s 10th best bar and the successful lounge’s bar manager, Nathan Beasley, will be teaching you how to make three of their legendary cocktails’ in a 1.5-hour workshop – an opportunity that all cocktail connoisseurs have been dreaming of.

Where: Smoke & Mirrors
Date: Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Time: 3.30pm – 5pm
Price: S$48

COCKTAIL AND SNACK PAIRING + MASTERCLASS

Indulge in seven cocktail and snack pairings whilst going through a hands-on activity on distillation, fermentation, shaking, stirring and whatnot. The masterclass is ideal for avid cocktail drinkers and industry bartenders who wish to further hone their artisanal craft.

Where: Operation Dagger
Date: To be confirmed
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Price: S$150 nett

DIM SUM AND COCKTAILS PAIRING BRUNCH

Whoever said that drinking is only reserved for nighttime activities is wrong. He/she clearly has yet to chance upon Mitzo’s awesome weekend brunch featuring contemporary Cantonese fare and Asian inspired cocktails. These creative alcoholic concoctions have been handcrafted with Chinese herbal ingredients and complement the free-flow dim sums perfectly well.

Where: Mitzo
Date: 12, 13 and 19 March 2016
Time: 11.30am to 2.30pm
Price: S$118++

For more recommendations, here is a guide to 8 interesting cocktails with a local twist in Singapore that you should try!