Queen of Hearts: Meet the female figures behind some of Singapore’s best bars

Move over, old boy’ club. Singapore’s cocktail scene has got some cocktail queens. This March, celebrating International Women’s Day, we feature female figures leading the charge in Singapore’s eclectic bartending scene. From bartending sensations shaking up boundary-pushing tipples to hospitality mavens who create spaces where the drinks are as good as the company, they’re the innovators, the risk-takers, the women who are redefining the Singapore bar scene one drink at a time. Here are their come-up stories.

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Pranisa “Niza” Treechanasin of Origin Bar

Origin Bar head bartender Pranisa “Niza” Treechanasin (Photo: Origin Bar)

Thai bartender Pranisa Treechanasin, or Niza, as she is endearingly known in the bar industry, has made her mark since arriving in Singapore circa 2022. After graduating with a marketing degree in 2014, Niza found greener pastures in the beverage industry, where she rose from a barback at the lauded 1881 by Water Library to head bar manager of Stella at the prestigious Capella Bangkok. Having earned her stripes working with some of Bangkok’s best bartenders for almost a decade, she set her sights on Singapore. With a well‑travelled palate acquired from acclaimed stints, including the Tokyo International BarShow, Niza is not one to shy away from injecting her heritage into her deftly crafted creations.

As the head bartender of Origin Bar, she showcases a knack for blending unlikely flavours to please discerning imbibers. The bewitching Ma To Ma To, for instance, combines distilled ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, green tomatoes and smoky mezcal to deliver a lip‑smacking number that is sweet, savoury, tart and umami.

Bannie Kang of Side Door

Side Door co-owner and head bartender Bannie Kang (Photo: Side Door)

South Korean bartender Bannie Kang is an awe‑inspiring veteran. Her accolades are as impressive as her creations—from winning her first national cocktail competition in Singapore in 2012 at the age of 20, a mere year into bartending, to conquering the prestigious Diageo World Class Singapore and then clinching the global title in 2019. Today, she finds herself on the other side of the fence in the coveted role of an international cocktail competition judge for Diageo World Class. Outside of that, she champions her cocktail philosophy at Side Door, a cosy living‑room‑themed cocktail theatre she co‑owns with her husband, chef Tryson Quek.

There, she exercises creativity and originality, experimenting with clever infusions using ingredients that speak of her heritage, such as ginseng and Korean plum liqueur. The Non‑Fruit Beer, for instance, is her version of the soju bomb, a popular drink in South Korea, where she mixes whisky, Korean barley, lychee and dry vermouth for a refreshingly crisp number.

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Zana Möhlmann of Manhattan

Manhattan head bartender Zana Möhlmann (Photo: Manhattan)

Manhattan’s legacy is now in the hands of mixology maven Zana Möhlmann, whose bartending journey—she flipped the switch on her military aspirations to chase cocktail domination instead—is as intoxicating as her creations. From clinching titles such as the inaugural World Young Mixologist award in 2023 to making rank as head bartender at the acclaimed Super Lyan in Amsterdam, this Dutch darling’s rise to the top is no fluke. Today, as head bartender of Manhattan, the 27‑year‑old’s bartending philosophy is unapologetically modern and original, reflecting her bold fashion sense and belief in individuality.

Case in point: her 34‑strong Broadway‑themed cocktail menu, which is a booze cruise that reminds of the glitz and glamour of old New York. But it is not all about cocktails: Möhlmann belongs to a trailblazing band of young female bartenders, rewriting industry norms, and championing inclusivity and diversity within the industry.

Desiree Jane Silva of Sago House

Sago House co‑owner Desiree Jane Silva (Photo: Oldspeak Factory)

The rapid ascension of grungy cocktail bar Sago House can certainly be credited to its co‑owner and hospitality queen Desiree Jane Silva. Her journey started as a host at the institutional 28 HongKong Street, where she quickly rose through the ranks, thanks to her fervent passion for crafting unforgettable experiences. When Sago House poured its first drink in 2020, Silva had a hand in every facet, from curating inventively eclectic cocktail menus—one that rotates weekly—to fostering a genuinely welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. As a result of the tight ship she runs, Sago House later emerged as winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award that is part of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

A savvy businesswoman with a keen eye for talent, building a team as passionate and dedicated as she is, Silva stands tall today as a true champion of women in the industry, proving that strength, wit and a touch of loudness can take you to the top.

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