When in Singapore…. 10 bespoke bars

Cocktails have come a long way from being the domain of luxury hotel bars and shed their ever so slight kitschiness. Today’s highly specialised cocktail bars are helmed by deadly serious mixologists and ‘bar chefs’ who are more akin to social scientists mixing and shaking, stirring and muddling their way to exciting the refined palettes of even the biggest alcohol snob. But more than just creating concoctions that will thrill the cocktail illuminati, these bars now offer bespoke cocktails as either an extra service on top of their usual menu or exclusively.

Spontaneous and highly personal, the bartenders who excel in this dark art are a combination of artisan, mind reader and daredevil. The drinks they create are like snowflakes, unique – and if your bartender is very skilled and you have articulated your desires clearly, chances are you’ll have the pleasure of drinking something that’s tailored exactly to your tastes and thirsts. The influx of top barmen from around the world and the surge of excellent local bartenders have placed Singapore on the map of the international bar scene. We cherry pick the 10 bespoke bars to treat yourself to.