Lookback 2025: Top 5 highlights of Singapore’s drinks industry

LeVeL33 celebrates its 15th anniversary

Officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest urban brewery this year, the local craft beermaker celebrates 15 years of fresh brews, high above the Marina Bay skyline.

It’s a remarkable feat of longevity, particularly in these turbulent times in the F&B scene.

Led by founder Dr Martin Bém, the brand might be best known for its beers, but it’s constantly innovating, launching Singapore’s first beer-integrated gin in November, developed in collaboration with Australian craft distiller Prohibition Liquor Co.

The brewery feted its 15th anniversary with a party on December 7, featuring the anniversary ale Hoppy 15, special gin cocktails and a charity auction supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Convivial Champagne bar is now home to an award-winning wine list, and co-organiser of Champagne festival Champagniac

Just a couple of years ago, a Champagne-only bar seemed like an audacious concept, but Convivial, Southeast Asia’s first dedicated Champagne bar, made it work.

Founded in 2023 by sommelier Yeo Xi Yang, the North Canal Road venue was quickly recognised by the wine community and awarded the Best Sparkling Wine List by Star Wine List just two years in, beating out the more established Park 90 and the Michelin-starred restaurant Jungsik.

It also co-organised its first Champagne festival, Champagniac, in November, attracting over 1,300 attendees over two days.

Jigger & Pony Group continues to share the cocktail scene

One of Singapore’s pioneering cocktail bars, Jigger & Pony, remains at the top of their game, ranking the highest in the country at #9 on 2025’s World’s 50 Best Bars.

Creative director Uno Jang, who was also nominated for International Bartender of the Year at the US-based Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, also nabbed the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2025.

It’s a fitting recognition as he steps into his new venture: The group recently unveiled a bold new concept — B.O.P. (Bartenders of Pony) by Uno Jang, a Korean cocktail dining bar that’s already generating buzz.

Small but mighty, indie bar Side Door packs serious talent

An industry favourite, the little bar that could prove its mettle, debuting at No. 53 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars less than two years after its founding. Founder Tryson Quek, despite being a chef by training, was also crowned World Class Bartender of the Year 2025 Singapore in June. 

Admirably, he finished in the global top 10 in the World Class finals in Toronto, taking home the Tanqueray Modern Icon Award. His success echoes that of his bartender wife, Bannie Kang, who was the 2019 World Class global champion.

Watch out for a new menu featuring Quek’s inaugural creations.

Revered wine bistro Parelum is still raising the bar

More than just a wine bar, the Duxton Hill bistro is actively shaping the way we appreciate wine. Owner Gerald Lu, who’s also the president of the Sommelier Association of Singapore, helped design SKLO Evolution, a wine glass suited to Asians.

Created with local glassware company SKLO, the universal tasting glasses, which were crafted by Czech artisans Kvetna 1794, won the prestigious Red Dot Award in July.

In October, its own sommelier, Vanessa Tan, made history by becoming the first Singaporean woman to win the Singapore National Sommelier Competition (SNSC), reflecting the diversity of talent nurtured.