After a six-year absence, World Class Singapore is making a highly anticipated return, reigniting the spirit of competition among the nation’s best bartenders. The prestigious bartending challenge, which has set a global benchmark for cocktail craftsmanship, kicked off with a launch party on 10 February 2025 at The Singapore EDITION Hotel.
The event marks the beginning of an intense journey for local bartenders, vying for a place in the coveted World Class Top 42. This year’s competition will see participants showcasing their technical prowess, creativity, and storytelling ability through a series of rigorous challenges. The field will narrow through successive rounds, culminating in a final showdown in June, where Singapore’s top bartender will be crowned and earn the honour of representing the nation at the World Class Global Finals in Toronto this September.
The Launch After Parties
World Class has long been synonymous with top-tier mixology, and this year’s competition is no different. Contestants will craft their cocktails using an array of world-renowned spirits, including Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, Zacapa, Tanqueray, and The Singleton.
The World Class Singapore launch party at EDITION was followed by a pop-up featuring a Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blue Hour takeover at The Punch Room, with The Wonder Room playing host to a showcase of crafted cocktails highlighting the finest expressions from Diageo Reserve, including Zacapa XO, Don Julio 1942, and Tanqueray No. 10. Other guest shifts and bar take over took place in the newly launched Baia, and community cocktail bar Nutmeg & Clove, that brought together the city’s leading bartenders, industry insiders, and cocktail aficionados in a toast to the vibrant craft of mixology.
Past Champions and the Legacy of World Class
As Singapore’s bartenders prepare to battle it out on the national stage, they follow in the footsteps of past winners who have set exceptional standards. At last year’s Global Finals in Shanghai, Canada’s Keegan McGregor clinched the title of World Class Bartender of the Year, while Indonesia’s Aris Sanjaya impressed as the runner-up with his innovative approach to nature-inspired mixology. Closer to home, Bannie Kang, who honed her craft through the Singapore competition, went on to claim the global title in 2019 and has since established herself as a force in the industry, opening Side Door on Neil Road.
This year’s competition seeks to push the boundaries further, challenging bartenders to express their ingenuity through cutting-edge techniques, compelling narratives, and sustainable practices.
A New Chapter for World Class Singapore
With the return of World Class Singapore, the stage is set for a new wave of bartending talent to emerge. As the competition unfolds over the coming months, cocktail enthusiasts can look forward to a showcase of creativity, innovation, and exceptional drinking experiences. Stay tuned for more details on how to be part of this unparalleled celebration of mixology.
There is yet any update if World Class Malaysia will be returning any time soon.
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