Hot! Guest Shift: International Edition – Who’s In Town For World’s 50 Best Bars

CONTENT: Michelle Ng

The attention is on Singapore this year as the World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony announced that it would be held in Asia for the first time in its history. The ceremony will be held at Pasir Panjang Station on Tuesday, 17 October 2023, where professionals and cocktail aficionados will gather to unveil this year’s rankings.

With so many bartenders and mixologists in town for the ceremony, it’s only natural to see some very exciting guest shifts across the bars. The very first bar-based edition of 50 Best Signature sessions will take place in various bars like Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove, and MO Bar from 14 to 18 October, but there are also plenty of other guest shifts to check out. Here are the ones we’re looking forward to!


BARSTARS at PLUME, 15 – 17 October 2023

Local spirits brand The Orientalist Spirits is hosting its first three-day fiesta celebrating only the best bartenders from across the region, culminating with a live stream watch party on 17 October for the first World’s 50 Best Bars Ceremony in Asia. Over 23 bartenders over 3 days will impress with their mixologist skills featuring exclusive cocktails made with The Orientalist Spirits, with Joshua P and Sivanesh taking over the decks for live music. Some guest shifts we’re looking forward to includes Millie Tang from The Gresham (Australia), Antonio Lai from Quinary (Hong Kong), Terry Kim from Alice (South Korea), and Hideyuki Saito from Gold Bar (Japan).

To reserve your spot, Whatsapp +65 9459 7165 or email plume.ppsin@panpacific.com

1880 Hong Kong All Stars

Hong Kong takeover at 1880, 16 October 2023

Step into Hong Kong’s lively bar scene at 1880, where four of Hong Kong’s top bars will unite together at 1880 to present a series of twelve interesting cocktails featuring spirits from Monkey 47, Schwarzwald Dry Gin and KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin. Antonio Lai lives up to his moniker as the godfather of cocktails in the Hong Kong scene, with an immersive ‘multi-concept’ cocktail from Quinary; Earl Grey Martini where Monkey 47 is infused with elderflowers, lemon, lime, and topped with Earl Grey infused caviar and foam. Jay Khan’s Mole Negroni is inspired by Mexican flavours, while Beckaly Franks wows with the classic twist Black Bamboo, a punchy cocktail of Ki No Bi Gin, Black Shallot Vermouth and sherry.

Entry is open to 1880 members and public with a reservation, RSVP online 

atlas BAR

50 Best Signature Sessions at ATLAS Bar, 15 October 2023

Little Red Door from Paris and Southside Parlor from Seoul will be taking over ATLAS as part of the ’50 Best Signature Sessions’ Party, where cocktails are served up all night long as the DJs spin away. Go “bar-hopping” across the world at the various cocktail stations that take you from Paris to the vibrant Seoul bar scene. Daniele Sperindio, Michelin-starred chef owner of Art, returns to ATLAS with his delicious bar bites, including an ATLAS lobster roll station as a final touch of indulgence.

Tickets are available online, with very limited tickets at the door. Tickets are $30 each, and include one drink token.

Studio 1939 - bar counter (1)

Studio 1939 guest shifts at Potato Head, 15, 16, 18 October 2023

Aside from their latest Palette of Sounds cocktail menu, Studio 1939 will also be welcoming a series of bartenders over the weekend. Friday (15 October) sees friendly faces from Thirsty Shaker and The Old Man in Hong Kong, while Monday (16 October) shakes things up a bit with a panel discussion with Pankaj Balachandran (Short Story Spirits, Countertop India), Rakshay Dhariwal (PCO, Maya Pistola Agavepura) , Jishnu AJ (Ekaa Mumbai) on the trends in India’s thriving bar scene before their guest shift. And if you’re still looking to continue the week-long drink binge, join bar veteran Kiki Moka from The Cocktail Club (Jakarta) on Wednesday 18 October as he shakes up a storm.

Moebius Milano - Pesto Martini

Mixologists takeover from Vida Rica Bar, Cahoots, and Moebius Milan at Smoke & Mirrors, 15, 16 and 18 October 2023

Smoke & Mirrors has an exciting month ahead with a series of exchange guest shifts, with some of the best mixologists in the world dropping by for a guest shift and Smoke & Mirror’s own Mel Chavez and Wong Wee Siong doing their own guest shifts in Taiwan. We’re looking forward to the shifts during the week of the Asia’s Best 50 Bars Ceremony, with three excellent lineups to excite the alcoholic in you – Davide Boncimino from Vida Rica Bar in Macau drops by on 15 October to delight with cocktails infused with a symphony of Southern Chinese flavours; 16 October welcomes Michele Venturini from a 1940s-themed bar in London Cahoots is aptly refreshing with four Italian cocktails that are a heady mix of fruity, fresh, and summery; and finally Lorenzo Querci from Milan bar Moebius Milano wraps up an exciting month with creative infusions and and innovative cocktails.

Make a reservation online 

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