Drink

“Work is the curse of the drinking classes.” — Oscar Wilde

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Best Bars in Malaysia: A Bee, A Bird and A Bartender

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Asia's 50 Best Bars | Best Bars in Malaysia | Food For Thought

The recent Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 had quite a number of toss ups, with new entries abound and a change in the top spot. But what has Malaysians buzzing are these three bars making the list. Bar Trigona with its honey-centric programme; JungleBird, the bar named after the only Malaysian cocktail; and Coley Cocktail Bar, which takes its namesake from the first female head bartender of The Savoy, Ada Coleman. We speak to their head honchos to find out a little bit more. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Industry Icon Award: Agung Prabowo of The Old Man Hong Kong

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Agung Prabowo Old Man Hong Kong | Inudstry Icon Award | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

When it comes to the bartending industry, there are a few names that need no introduction, and Agung Prabowo is one of them. The brainchild of the Hemingway inspired bar, The Old Man originally opened in Hong Kong and has now expanded with the opening of The Old Man Singapore. Agung has been recently crowned (like his namesake) the Industry Icon Award at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020. We speak to him to find out more about his philosophy as well as the creation of some of The Old Man’s iconic concoctions. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Bartender’s Bartender: Jay Khan of COA Hong Kong

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Jay Khan | Altos Bartenders' Bartender | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Jay Khan is one of Asia’s best known bartenders, not only because he makes excellent cocktails, but has helped further educate the public about agave. The Hong Kong born native was recently crowned the Altos’ Bartender’s Bartender at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 and in addition to that, his bar COA has also placed number 3 at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars this year. We speak to Jay to pick the his brains on his thoughts about bartending and bartenders. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Art of Hospitality Award: David Nguyen-Luu of Manhatan Bar Singapore

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Manhattan | Michter's Art of Hospitality Award | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Manhattan Bar at the Regent Singapore needs no further introduction, with its time and time again ranking as at the World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Winning the Legends Of The List award in 2019, and also number 1 bar in 2018, Manhattan has gone on to win the Art of Hospitality Awards this year, which comes as no surprise. We sit down with Bar Manager David Nguyen-Luu to learn about more about their approach to hospitality. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020: In Recognition And In Solidarity

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Jigger & Pony | Best Bar in Asia | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

The current pandemic of the Covid-19 has affected the food and beverage industry severely, but amidst all the chaos, the drink industry has come together, albeit social distantly, not in celebration, but in recognition of the work all these bars have put in to raising the bar when it comes to cocktail culture, camaraderie and creativity. The inaugural event was initially supposed to be held in Singapore but instead was done via a live telecast across Facebook. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Sustainable Bar Award: Ashish Sharma of Bar Trigona

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50 Best Cocktail | Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2020 | Bar Trigona | Food For Thought

Bar Trigona in Four Season Kuala Lumpur has won the Ketel One Sustainable Award at the  Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020, taking the crown for the second year in a row. The honey-centric bar’s practice of using the liquid gold as its focus and its efforts to keep everything sustainable from leaf to twig. We had a chat with Ashish Sharma, Head Bartender of Bar Trigona to learn a bit more about their sustainability efforts and their adopt a beehive programme. Continue reading →

A Bloody Good Gin: Stuart Gregor of Four Pillars Distillery

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Stuart Gregor | Four Pillars Gin

When it comes to gin distilleries, there are few that has the reputation that Four Pillars Distillery has. From its signature Rare Dry Gin to its delicious Navy Strength, you can see why this distillery has won countless awards. Being crowned best international gin distillers at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019, we pick the brains of Stuart Gregor, Co-founder and Trade Director of Four Pillars Gin. Continue reading →

JungleBird: The Bird Is The Word

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Nyonya Business | JungleBird | Food For Thought

If you live in Kuala Lumpur and have never heard of JungleBird, then you really need to visit. The eponymous rum bar is named after Malaysia’s only national cocktail, a rum and Campari concoction originally concocted at the original Aviary Bar at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur in 1973. By consistently placing at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars, you can see why they’re known for not only for their collection of some of the most outstanding rums, but having a home away from home hospitality, as well as a newfound delivery service to match. Continue reading →

Classing It Up at Three X Co

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Eastern Poem | Three X Co | Food For Thought

Located within Bangsar Shopping Centre sits Three X Co, one of the best speakeasies in Kuala Lumpur. The prohibition-styled bar is serves twists on classics with an eastern touch, with many of their signature drinks looking quite familiar if you’ve grown up in Malaysia. From their delicious Penang nutmeg juice influenced Balik Pulau to their ginseng herbal tea inspired Eastern Poem, there is something for everyone, and that’s not even considering their amazing classics. But the latest conditions have caused businesses to change, and that’s where home deliveries come to save the day. Continue reading →

Save The Date: Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 & Singapore Cocktail Festival 2020

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Singapore Cocktail Festival | Festival Village 2 | Save The Date | Food For Thought

The Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 returns to Singapore in conjunction with the Singapore Cocktail Festival 2020. The event will see the combination of a week long celebration with guest bartenders from all over the Asia as well as pop-ups of some of Singapore’s best bars. Due to the recent DROSCON Orange advisory, the events will go on in May and October, so save the date and book your early bird tickets for the Singapore Cocktail Festival 2020. Continue reading →