Avid followers of Singapore’s drinks calendar know that the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony always takes place around this time of the year.
Coinciding in timely fashion with that grand celebration is the annual Singapore Cocktail Festival (SGCF), resulting in a combined, giant gathering of cocktail industry folks and curious tipplers alike. And with all the booze going around, you bet it’s always a heck of a good time.
This year though, there will be no on-site gathering happening (at least for the month of May). Needless to say, it’s due to the current pandemic and ensuing safety measures. Instead, the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 awards ceremony is going virtual, and will be broadcasted on May 14, 7pm, via The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and the 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.
The great thing about going virtual is that everyone and anyone can tune in and catch the digital awards ceremony (it’s usually an invite-only event) as it happens. And rather than being a pompous celebratory event, the organisers will be taking the opportunity to strengthen and bring the bar community together this year.
Their 50 Best for Recovery initiative, for instance, will be providing relief funding for bars in need as well as a pool of resources on how they can best keep their businesses going. Later in the year, a summit will also be held to create a focal point for the community to share their hard-earned experiences and to discuss what the future might hold for the industry.
What’s more, over 20 Singapore bars will be offering a signature cocktail inspired by the words “Unity” and “Positivity”, which you can have ordered and delivered to your home. This special menu is being presented as part of SGCF@Home (running through May 31), a precursor to the physical SGCF 2020 slated to still take place from Oct 23-30 this year.
Ordering from the bars and drinking while watching the virtual awards show is not only great fun, but is also a way for you to help support local bars and keep them running.
So if you’re not heading anywhere else on Thursday night, dress up a little, order a cocktail delivery and tune in to the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 digital awards ceremony. It’s bound to be a roaring evening.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 happens May 14, 7pm via The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and the 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.
