The very first Cocktail Week is finally taking place in Penang. Initiated by Penang's bar veteran, Koh Yung Shen of Backdoor Bodega, this week-long festival is created to promote the bartending community in Penang.

Riding on a wave of recognition in numerous global bar platforms, Penang Cocktail Week will feature 10 local bars that will also be hosting some of the world's best bars. This event provides the local bar community with valuable exposure, experience, and networking opportunities to further enhance the quality of Penang's bars.

Penang bars’ international recognition

1. Backdoor Bodega was ranked #97 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2022, first time for a bar in Penang
2. Penang-based bartenders achieved international recognition through global cocktail competitions such as the Giffard West Cup, Jameson Black Barrel Bartender’s Competition, Hennessy MyWay Cocktail Competition
3. Penang’s very own Janice Lok made the global Top 25 shortlist on 50 Best Scholarship

10 featured independent bars at Penang Cocktail Week 2023

1. Backdoor Bodega - 37, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2. BaoBae - 202D, 1, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
3. Biso - 63a, Jalan Magazine, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
4. Chez Chez - 41, Love Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
5. Cocktails and Shots - 11, Lorong Cheapside, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
6. Foxhole 24 - 24, Muntri St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
7. The Mandarin - 3B, Jalan Irving, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
8. The Nest - 82, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
9. No Bar Here - 25, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
10. Nomad - 243, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

International personalities to meet

Jean Trinh (winner of the World’s 50 Best Bars Bartender’s Bartender Award 2022) of Alquimico (Columbia); Thanos Prunarus of Baba Au Rum (Athens); Agung Prabowo of Penicillin (Hong Kong); Sip Sensei (Jakarta); Roberto Bava, CEO of Cocchi Vermouth (Italy); Abi Clephane of Bruichladdich (Scotland)

---

Programme Highlights

Image source: Penang Cocktail Week

Parties

20 October
7pm @ Chez Chez: Opening Party with Baba Au Rum featuring Thanos and Niki
9pm @ No Bar Here: Opening After Party with Din Hassan of The Island Rum Company

22 October
11am - 5pm @ HIN Bus Depot: Cocktail Garden

24 October
11am - 3pm @ The Nest: Battle of The Bars, Bartending Showdown

25 October
11pm @ Biso: The After-Hour Aperitivo Party with Giovanni Magliaro

26 October
6pm - 8pm @ Bottega Penang: PCW Aperitivo PArty with Giovanni Magliaro

29 October
12pm - 4pm @ How Shy, HIN Bus Depot: Sip Sip Sunday with Coley

---

Masterclasses [RSVP with respective venue]

21 October
3pm @ Foxhole: Elevate Your Craft: Master The Art of Cocktail Photography by Sip Sensei
5pm @ Cocktails & Shots: From Bar To Brand: Life As A Bartender-Turned-Brand-Ambassador by Din Hassan

22 October
4pm @ Baobae: Ice Carving & Highballs: How Ice Affects Cocktails by Shawn Chong

25 October
8pm @ Baobae: An Introduction To Moutai Baijiu by Shirmy Chan

26 October
3pm @ Bottega Penang: Cocchi Vermouth Masterclass by Roberto Bava, Asti

27 October
3pm @ Biso: Feni: An Indian Heritage Spirit by Deepak Soni

28 October
4pm @ Chez Chez: Classic Cocktail Workshop by Jordan Lim, Beam Suntory Brand Ambassador Malaysia

29 October
3pm @ PCW Cocktail Garden, HIN Bus Depot: The Art of Flair workshop by David Hans, Three-time Malaysian Flair Bartending Champion

---

Guest Shifts

21 October
8pm @ Backdoor Bodega ft. Sip Sensei (JK)
(Bar Takeover) 9pm @ No Bar Here: Bar Takeover by Alquimico, Cartagena ft. Jean Trinh, Danitza, and Miguel

22 October
6pm & 9pm: Evening Omakase by Bar Mizukami ft. Shawn Chong
8pm @ Foxhole 24: Karl Too

23 October (Bar Takeovers)
8pm @ The Nest: Bar Takeover by Origin (SG) ft. Adam Bursik & Cherry Lee
9pm @ Cocktails & Shots: Jameson Black Barrel Showdown: Ronny vs Thanesh (JBB Bartender Series '22 & '23 Global Winners)

24 October
8pm @ Nomad: Jungle Ballroom (SG) ft. Adrian Besa
9pm @ No Bar Here: Penicillin (HK) ft. Anjal Rai

25 October
8pm @ The Mandarin: Abi Glephane (Islay), Global Brand Ambassador of Bruichladdich Distillery
9pm @ No Bar Here: Lockdown (HK) ft. Saan Dhakal

26 October, 8pm
Foxhole 24: Cabinet 8 ft. Justin Tay & Seng Chung
The Nest: Tiga Bar ft. Bee Yee & Chun Shyan
Baobae: Frank's Bar ft. KK
Chez Chez: Budi Bar ft. Tai Yong & Sze Ming
Nomad: Bar Terumi ft. Shirmy Chan
Cocktails & Shots: Botakliquor Bar ft. Moe Saeed & Kamil

26 October, 9pm
Biso: Rakh ft. Harish & Reza
The Mandarin: Skullduggery ft. Abel Sukau
Backdoor Bodega: Pahit ft. Shen & Boy
No Bar Here: Reka:Bar ft. Joel Poon

27 October
8pm @ Nomad: Deepak Soni, Angostura Global Cocktail Competition 2020 Thailand Winner

28 October
8pm @ Cocktails & Shots: Kafe Utu (Singapore) ft. Zachary Ibrahim
(Bar Takeover) 8pm @ Foxhole 24: Bar Takeover by Three x Co (KL) ft. David Hans and Igene

For updated event schedule, visit Penang Cocktail Week’s website and follow them on Instagram.

- T -