The 40 bars participating in World Class Cocktail Festival Bangkok 2019

The St. Regis Bangkok sits on a prime spot that overlooks the posh Royal Bangkok Sports Club, making it ideal for afternoon tea or cocktail sessions on a Sunday when horse races take place. The long black marble bar is where the magic happens. Here, cocktails that range from the simple, like the G&T, to the historic, like the Bloody Mary—first created at St. Regis New York in 1934—are served. The Bangkok outpost reinvests the tomato-based cocktail with the injection of Thai spices. 

On 5 June (20:00-23:00), St. Regis Bar will open its bar to Daniel Schofield, an up-and-coming bartender from London. Brother of noted bartender Joe Schofield, Daniel helmed the bar at Paris’ Little Red Door before securing his current position as assistant bar manager at Coupette in London.

The rooftop bar at Banyan Tree Bangkok, which is one of the world’s highest on the 61st floor, is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Recently reopened after a renovation, the Moon Bar, which is positioned next to alfresco restaurant Vertigo, bounces back with a new design that features a spectacular diamond-shaped bar. Head bartender Deepak Soni creates refreshing Tiki-style drinks to accompany light tapas-inspired bites and stunning sunset views. The new design also introduces Moon Walk, a short glass bridge that serves as the deck where you can pose for Instagram-friendly photos amidst a backdrop of glistening skyscrapers. 

The sky-high bar will benefit from the skillful bartending of Lester Ligon of ABV bar in Manila on 6 June (20:00-24:00). Lester was awarded the top prize at Diageo World Class Philippines 2018 and represented his country in Berlin for Diageo World Class Global Finals where he was claimed the winner in the Ketel One Better Drinking Challenge.

Behind a suede curtain at the lobby of boutique hotel Playhaus Thonglor is this crowd-favorite cocktail bar. The brainchild of six of Bangkok’s best bartenders, including Diageo World Class Thailand winners Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivichaporn (2014 and 2017) and Supawit “Palm” Muttarattana (2012), Backstage Cocktail Bar plays with the theater theme, and is festooned with décor inspired by four famous stage plays including Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and the Rattanakosin-era epic Four Reigns. The cocktails, however, revolve around playful interpretations of popular movies such as Fifty First Dates and There’s Something About Mary, and James Bond flicks. The savvy mixologists can create bespoke drinks made to your preference or mix you one of their experimental specials.

Parom Leo Malakul, the rising-star bartender of Backstage Cocktail Bar and the Thai brand ambassador of Copper Dog, will be slinging special cocktails showcasing the complex flavors of the blended malt on 6 June (23:30- 02:00).

Before it became a thing in Bangkok, The Speakeasy, the rooftop bar at Hotel Muse, was already delivering Prohibition vibes with elegant décor that takes you back to 1920s. Spanning two levels, The Speakeasy connects to Long Bar, where you have a better vantage point overlooking Bangkok’s CBD, or take a hidden entrance that leads you to the al fresco bar on the 25th floor. The Speakeasy’s cocktail menu delves into forgotten classics but also provides light cocktails for easy sipping, while the food list explores Thai and French mash-ups. The bar also houses the Blind Pig Cigar Lounge, which offers a great selection of premium Cuban cigars.

Awarded World Class Bartender of The Year in 2017 at the Diageo World Class Global Final in Mexico City, Canadian mixologist Kaitlyn Stewart of Royal Dinette in Vancouver will be performing her mixing magic at Speakeasy Bar on 7 June (20:00-24:00). Stewart was the second female bartender to be given the title, and the ninth bartender to be named into the World Class Hall of Fame.

Named after James Bond’s favorite drink (shaken, not stirred), Vesper is a sleek, stylish venue imbued with pine-green marble bar tops, reflective lights, mirrors, and heavy curtains that give the space a secretive feel. Recently converted from an Italian restaurant to a full-fledged bar, the watering hole now specializes in cocktails inspired by artistic masterpieces (expect drinks with names like Autumn Rhythm No.30 and Campbell’s Soup Can), modern classic mixes, and forgotten classics. Group bar manager Supawit “Palm” Muttarattana, who was crowned the winner of the Diageo World Class Thailand Competition in 2012, is the one responsible for making sure each drink comes out perfect.

Vesper welcomes Italian bartender Simone Rossi, the assistant beverage manager of Rosewood Hong Kong, for a special guest shift on 8 June (20:00-24:00). Rossi, who was selected as the winner of World Class Cocktail Competition Hong Kong and Macao 2018, will be whipping up signature drinks using Tanqueray Gin.