Drinks events and festivals in Malaysia and Singapore have evolved in recent years beyond the bar counter into lifestyle-driven experiences. Cocktail competitions increasingly invite consumer participation, while cocktail narratives and brand storytelling now extend beyond ingredients and techniques to intersect with food, art and culture. From city-wide cocktail programmes to large-scale sake and craft beer gatherings, the months ahead offer plenty of opportunities to explore new drinks and meet the people behind them.
[Image source: Diageo World Class]
World Class Cocktail Festival
24 February – 31 May 2026
21 bars + Side Door in Singapore
After returning to Singapore in 2025, World Class by Diageo expands its presence with the World Class Cocktail Festival, a multi-month programme running across 21 bars islandwide ahead of the Singapore finals. Each participating bar presents five cocktails built around spirits from the Diageo portfolio, including Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, The Singleton, Tanqueray and Zacapa. Guests can take part in the Cocktail Passport experience by ordering a World Class cocktail to receive their passport, collecting stamps as they explore different venues. Participants may also vote for their favourite cocktails, while completed passport milestones unlock rewards ranging from brand merchandise to bottles of spirits and vouchers redeemable at Side Door, the bar run by World Class champions Bannie Kang and Tryson Quek (while stocks last).
Visit the World Class Singapore website for more information.
Old Ground by Shadrach Shan, St Regis Singapore's entry to th Angel's Envy Manhattan Challenge cocktail. [Photo: Kim Choong]
Angel’s Envy "Take on a Manhattan Challenge"
1-31 March 2026
9 bars in Singapore
Now in its third year in Singapore, the Angel’s Envy Take on a Manhattan Challenge invites bartenders to reinterpret the classic bourbon cocktail with their own creative twist. Participating bartenders are required to present their entries both behind the bar and on social media through short videos introducing their concept. Judges will visit each venue to evaluate the cocktails in their natural setting, where they are served to guests. Entries are assessed on taste and balance, visual presentation, creativity and concept, as well as the bartender’s storytelling and presentation. Participating bars are also encouraged to engage their guests and share the story behind their cocktail, with in-bar sales forming part of the overall consideration.
Visit these bars before the end of March to support their entries: ATLAS, Native, St. Regis Bar, Manhattan, Writer’s Bar, Hup San Social Club, Plume, Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar, and Singapore EDITION.
Sake Matsuri took place in an outdoor venue at UE Square for numerous years before moving to F1 Pit Building this year. [Image source: Sake Matsuri]
Sake Matsuri
28-29 March 2026
11am-2pm | 4pm-7pm
F1 Pit Building, Singapore
Now in its 12th edition, Sake Matsuri returns as one of Southeast Asia’s largest sake festivals, moving into a larger space at the F1 Pit Building to accommodate growing demand. Visitors can taste more than 500 labels of sake, including rare and limited releases, with the option to purchase bottles at promotional festival prices. Brand representatives and brewers will also be present, offering an opportunity to learn more about the craft and stories behind the labels. This year’s festival expands beyond sake to include Japanese spirits such as gin, whisky and shochu, broadening the showcase of Japan’s drinks culture. VIP tickets are priced at S$128 (single) or S$248 (couple), granting access to both sessions on each day. Standard tickets are S$55 per session, with bundle options available (S$250 for five tickets or S$360 for eight). All tickets include entry to Japan Hop Fest (see next event).
More information, visit Sake Matsuri.
Japan Hop Fest's debut in 2026 which was planned to run in conjunction with Sake Matsuri is rescheduled. The Passport to earn tokens now extend to 10 April 2026. Pictured is Smith Street Taps, one of the nine outlets listed on the Passport. [Photo: Joel Lim]
Japan Hop Fest
11–12 April 2026
12pm–10pm
Block 37, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore
Taking place over two days, Japan Hop Fest brings together a line-up of Japanese craft breweries including Uchu Brewing, West Coast Brewing, Totopia Brewery, Vertere, Setouchi, DD4D, Asobi and Kyoto Brewing. Festivalgoers can sample a wide range of beers while meeting the brewers and founders behind the labels. The beers are served in 200ml to 330ml pours, redeemed using festival tokens, with most beers costing two to four tokens (S$5 per token). Food vendors will be on hand with burgers, modern Singaporean snacks and Japanese izakaya favourites, offering plenty of options to pair with the beers. Tickets are priced at S$35 (Day 1) / S$28 (Day 2) for a one-day pass, or S$50 for a two-day pass, both of which include festival beers and beer tokens. Earn up to S$30 beer tokens by completing the passport in the participating 9 beer outlets across Singapore.
More information, visit Japan Hop Fest.
Team behind the Singapore Cocktail Crossover came together and guided by the ethos of "By the community. For the Community". From left to right: Henry Stonham, Caryn Cheah, Peter Chua, and Vijay Mudaliar. [Image source: SGCX]
Singapore Cocktail Crossover
9-14 June 2026
METT Singapore and other various locations in Singapore
Organised by bartenders and industry insiders, the Singapore Cocktail Crossover (SCX) sets out to make the city’s evolving cocktail culture more accessible to a wider audience through a series of lifestyle-driven events. Across the first four days, heritage neighbourhoods around Singapore will host pop-ups, bar takeovers, food and cocktail pairings, live music and art exhibitions inspired by spirits. The aim is to present cocktails not only as drinks at the bar, but as part of a broader cultural experience. The final two days culminate at METT Singapore, where a multi-disciplinary festival space brings together fashion showcases, DJ sets, culinary pop-ups, guest bars and spirit competitions. Dress up, wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and come ready to meet people as the city’s bartending community spills out into the streets.
Ticket sales begin in April 2026. Sign up here.
Beta Bar as one of the participating outlets in KL Cocktial Week last year. [Image source: KL Cocktail Week]
KL Cocktail Week
28 April – 3 May 2026
Sentul Depot and various locations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Returning for its third edition, KL Cocktail Week once again takes over the Malaysian capital with a series of events spread across four key districts: Petaling Jaya / Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Bangsar / Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, and Chinatown. Throughout the week, local bars host guest bartenders from across Asia and the Middle East, encouraging exchanges in ingredients, techniques and cocktail storytelling. The programme also features cocktail dinners that highlight local and regional flavours, presented in both casual settings and fine dining restaurants. A dedicated industry conference takes place at W Kuala Lumpur on 1 May, while the celebrations culminate with the Festival Village at Sentul Depot on 2 May, bringing together bars, drinks brands and festivalgoers in one large gathering.
The full line-up will be revealed on 1 April 2026.
Coming soon.
Penang Cocktail Week
September 2026 (TBC)