May is an exciting month for cocktail lovers: World Cocktail Day happening on May 13, and there’s still a couple more days before the Singapore Cocktail Takeover 2024 (SGT 2024) wraps up on May 12. If you’re planning a bar hop any time this month, we’ve curated just the guide that’ll take you ‘round some of the buzziest joints in town, while making sure you stay hydrated. From now till May 12, these four bars will be giving out free Perrier bottles when you visit them to encourage you to ‘Drink More Water’ as you savour your cocktails. But if you miss it, fret not – you can still head down to Boat Quay on May 16 and 17 to collect free bottles of water to stay hydrated while on a night out. Save this bar hop itinerary and share it with your friends!
1. No Sleep Club
Start your evening at No Sleep Club, a casual, grungy watering hole at Keong Saik serving cocktails and natural wines. They’re shaking up two specialty drinks ($18 each) for SGT 2024 with Malfy lemon gin: the French 75 with lemon yoghurt, cardamom and a dash of cava; and the hoppy and spritzy Dirty Highball with sherry and olives. The confit potato makes for a good bar snack – topped with dill ranch, maitake and truffle.
2. Gotti Italiano
Next, switch things up at Gotti. The ten-minute walk from No Sleep Club should give you time to hydrate yourself before you step into this glamorous Italian bar. Two Malfy gin concoctions ($18 each) await this SGT 2024. The Teflon Don combines porcini mushroom, select aperitivo and Mancino Rosso, while The Wise Guy throws in Mancino Secco, olive oil and olives stuffed with pecorino cheese into the mix – if you’re a fan of strong cheeses, this one’s for you. In case you don’t manage to head down during SGT, these drinks will also be on the bar’s permanent menu.
3. White Shades
Then, head to White Shades which is just a short four-minute walk away. The fun, four-storey establishment is known for exclusively serving highballs on the first floor and cocktails on the second. Make sure to also check out the breezy, alfresco rooftop space. Enjoy two Malfy lemon gin concoctions ($18 each) which are strong on the floral notes this SGT 2024. The Jasmine features jasmine pearl tea and refreshing lychee Perrier, while the Rose uses Lillet Rosé and orange bitters.
4. Neon Pigeon
Take a break from booze and down some water while you head to your last stop for the night: the spunky Neon Pigeon at Carpenter Street. They’re serving two fruity Ki No Bi gin tipples ($18 each) this SGT 2024. Berry Mind uses mixed berry shrub, mirin and grapefruit Perrier, while Rigo-no Hana is an apple-forward cocktail with genmaicha and Japanese umami bitters. Pro-tip: the popular Tokyo Hummus ($14) makes for great cocktail pairing and features blended edamame and curry chips for an inventive take on hummus.
Stay hydrated while you drink with Pernod Ricard
For the perfect end to the night, head down just across the street to Boat Quay. From 7.30pm to 10.30pm on May 16 and 17, Pernod Ricard, together with Perrier and Vittel, will be handing out bottles of water for you to stay hydrated on your night out. Simply look out for folks carrying backpacks with “Drink More Water” posters. Grab a bottle, drink up, and admire the city lights by the river while you plan how to do it all over again.
Didn’t catch Singapore Cocktail Takeover in time, or already thinking about your next bar hop adventure? Time Out Singapore and Pernod Ricard are organising an exciting one this May called the ‘Drink More Water’ Hydration Hop, where you can explore the trendiest bars in the city while staying hydrated. Find out more here and sign up here.