Singapore’s cocktail culture is about to get a serious upgrade. This year, the World Class Cocktail Festival 2026 invites curious drinkers, seasoned enthusiasts, and hospitality insiders alike to explore the city’s bar scene through a passport-led cocktail adventure.

Running from 24 February to 31 May 2026, the city-wide celebration transforms 21 bars across Singapore into destinations for discovery. The festival also coincides with the World Class Bartender of the Year Singapore 2026 competition, one of the industry’s most respected global platforms for bartending talent. But beyond the competition, the festival is really about the craft, creativity, and people behind the bar.

Timed to kick off on World Bartender Day, the festival showcases cocktails inspired by some of the most iconic spirits in the world: Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, The Singleton, Tanqueray, and Zacapa.

At each participating bar, guests will find a limited-time menu of five original cocktails, each designed to highlight the distinct personality of these spirits, from smoky Scotch blends and botanical gins to silky single malts and decadent aged rum.

The idea isn’t just to drink more cocktails, but to drink better. “Every cocktail tells a story,” says Alex Freri, General Manager of Strategic Partnerships & New Markets for Southeast Asia. “The World Class Cocktail Festival shines a light on the people at the heart of hospitality; the bartenders who turn exceptional ingredients and thoughtful technique into memorable experiences.”

The festival revolves around a simple but irresistible concept: the World Class Cocktail Passport. Order a festival cocktail at any participating bar and you’ll receive a passport, a keepsake that doubles as your guide to Singapore’s best drinking destinations. Each bar visited earns a unique stamp, encouraging guests to hop across neighbourhoods and discover new cocktail spots.

Along the way, guests can meet the bartenders competing to represent Singapore at the World Class Global Finals in Dubai later this year. The more stamps collected, the better the rewards.

Passport Milestones

• 5 bars – Festival merchandise from participating spirit brands
• 10 bars – S$50 cocktail voucher at Side Door
• 15 bars – S$100 cocktail voucher at Side Door

For the most ambitious cocktail explorers, there’s an even bigger incentive: the first guest to complete all 21 bar stamps will win a grand prize that includes a 2D1N Balcony Suite stay at QT Singapore (worth S$1,000), a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Don Julio 1942, or Zacapa XO, exclusive merchandise, and an invitation for two to the World Class Bartender of the Year Singapore Finals.

The festival also highlights some of the industry’s most exciting talent — including past champions who have helped shape Singapore’s cocktail scene. Among them is Bannie Kang, the World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2019, who now co-runs the bar Side Door with her husband Tryson Quek, the World Class Bartender of the Year Singapore 2025. Their bar joins the festival lineup, bringing both star power and serious craft credentials to the celebration.

For Quek, the World Class platform has been transformative. “Being part of the World Class family completely changed how I see my craft,” he says. “Now it’s my turn to support and inspire the next generation of bartenders.”

Kang shares a similar sentiment. After winning the global title, she now focuses on mentoring young bartenders and contributing to Singapore’s growing cocktail culture. “To help shape the next generation together has made the experience even more meaningful,” she says.

Since launching in 2009, World Class has grown into one of the most prestigious events in the bartending world, spanning more than 180 countries and setting the standard for mixology excellence. Singapore’s thriving bar scene, known for its creativity, precision, and hospitality, has become a natural home for the competition. The festival reflects that spirit perfectly: a city-wide invitation to slow down, savour, and explore cocktails as both craft and culture.

The World Class Cocktail Festival Passport will be available from 24 February to 31 May 2026 with the purchase of a festival cocktail at any participating venue. Whether you’re chasing stamps across the island or simply discovering a new favourite bar, the festival offers a rare chance to experience Singapore’s cocktail scene through the eyes of the bartenders who define it. Because at its best, a great cocktail is never just a drink; it’s a story in a glass.

To find out more about World Class festivities and opportunities to experience the excitement firsthand, consumers can visit @worldclass on Instagram. Hashtags include #WorldClassSG and #DrinkResponsibly. Consumers are invited to vote for their favourite World Class Cocktail Festival experience here.