Sink your teeth into Singapore’s friskiest bar, Cat Bite Club, an establishment bridging east to west via two categories deeply rooted in terroir: agave and rice spirits, affording it recognition as No. 77 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list. 

An establishment embodying curiosity, excitement, and playfulness in both name and (mischievous Cheshire cat grin) logo, Cat Bite Club mimics these same sentiments that guests feel when discovering the libation lineup. And now the cat’s out of the bag as Cat Bite Club has received the Campari One To Watch Award at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, sponsored by Perrier 

Straddling the laid-back atmosphere of a San Francisco neighborhood watering hole and the intimacy of an upscale speakeasy, Cat Bite Club never needed nine lives to survive Singapore’s crowded cocktail scene. Pour together a few hundred bottle of heritage spirits, two veteran bartenders, and a spritz of San Fran hospitality, shaken up in one of Asia’s most renowned cocktail cities, and the resulting tipple is the cat’s pajamas.

From Whiskers to Tail

Best mates since the age of four, operating partners Gabriel Lowe (previous bar program curator of Paradise Lost) and Jesse Vida (former Atlas head bartender) dreamt of opening a bar together from the day they concurrently launched their bartending careers in San Francisco in 2007. While Lowe went on to open multiple bars in Bogotá before serving as the Beverage Director during the launch of The Standard in Bangkok in 2019, Vida cut his teeth as senior bartender at New York’s Dead Rabbit, led the charge at Blacktail, and ultimately ended up in the Lion City as Atlas’ head bartender in 2018.

Jesse Vida

But the two met up in Singapore to turn their childhood aspirations into reality, ultimately swinging open Cat Bite Club’s doors in June 2023 along Singapore’s buzzing Duxton Road, a bastion of heritage spirits in one of Asia’s most renowned cocktail cities. Embracing the world of agave early on in their careers in the West, the duo recognized that same potential in Asian legacy liquors, like soju and shochu when they ventured eastward in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Gabriel Lowe

“Being baby bartenders in California, we were at the forefront of the agave wave, a spirit that caught the rest of the world in its wake. Similarly, Asian spirits are now on the rise, gaining popularity both inside and outside their home markets. We want to highlight that regionality, served up with a side of genuine San Francisco service,” says Vida.

The Purr-fect Pairing

The drinks menu covers two regions – Mexico and Japan – sharing ingredient origin stories while celebrating the character of the corresponding base spirit.

“Whereas modern cocktail drinking is very end flavor-focused, Cat Bite Club perches on the other side of the spectrum. We boast a highly curated selection of over 240 artisan Mexican spirits and 50 well-crafted Asian liquors that deserve to be showcased front and center, with extra ingredients playing the role of supporting actor.”

Each section features a signature serve from the debut menu: the Cat Bite Margarita (Siete Misterios Espadín mezcal, tequila, orange liqueur, fresh citrus, agave nectar, sherry) for agave and the Soju Sprint (soju, peach, honey, mint, citrus, sherry, absinthe, soda) for rice. From there, each page sees one classic cocktail plus two separate playful renditions of said classic through the lens of agave and rice. The complimentary variations parallel the rich culinary cultures that begot them.

Meow Now Brown Cow

For instance, the Espresso Martini can be ordered with agave at the fore as the Meow Now Brown Cow (tequila, coffee liqueur, banana cordial, vanilla cream and sherry) or with the emoji-dubbed [explosion, mango], an Asian-inspired interpretation of this timeless tipple with shochu, rum, mango lime leaf cordial, yoghurt and cold brew.

Additionally, the iconic New Orleans recipe for a Brandy Crusta can be savored with the spotlight shining on agave as the Ghost’een (a blend of two varietals of mezcal, mangosteen cordial, chili tincture, amaro, and fresh citrus) or with a China-meets-Japan rendition dubbed Rice Rice Daisy that sees two styles of Japanese shochu, strong aroma baijiu hailing from central China, rum, miso, and coriander-shaken coconut cordial.

By empowering staff throughout the creative cocktail ideation process, the ever-changing menu dives deeper into the evolution of iconic libations. From the unexpected roasted broccoli-infused tequila and force-carbonated Hulk Splash to the sherry-forward makgeolli floater-topped Return of the Mak, the aim is to broaden guests’ perspective on what classic cocktails can be.

“Our menu is designed with approachability in mind. Any person – regardless of their cocktail knowledge and past experience – should be able to enjoy a drink here. At the same time, even the most seasoned palate can appreciate the layered nuances.”

There’s also a weekly Milk Punch for a Cause, with a portion of sales donated to local cat charities.

For the spirit enthusiasts feeling frisky, guests can choose from the library list of over 200 rare-varietal agaves and unsung rice-based liquors, available in pours and pre-set sampling flights.

Mirroring the drinks roster, the food menu underscores the parallels between Mexican and Asian gastronomic traditions, with a throughline of crossover ingredients from coriander to coconut, and fresh herbs to fermented fare. Think Korean chicken al pastor quesadillas, chili chicken bao, and house pickles that bridge eastern techniques with western elements.

The Cat That Got the Cream

Recently clinching the No. 56 spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, Cat Bite Club embodies curiosity, whimsy, and playfulness in both name and (mischievous Cheshire cat grin) logo, mimicking these same sentiments that guests feel when discovering the libation lineup.

“The win comes with equal parts recognition (of our team’s hard work and dedication) and responsibility (to fulfill the prophecy this award bestows). We now have even more confidence in the bar’s identity, our service standards and offerings, so winning the Campari One To Watch Award 2024 further motivates us to continue refining, upgrading and striving to push boundaries – the true hallmark of a successful bar.”

“Cat Bite Club is a true bar lover’s bar. Rather than a ‘Bar Disneyland’, we are about honest, non-scripted service that is engaging to the individual customer experience. Every seat, table and barstool are level with the bar counter. No matter where a guest sits, he or she is directly interacting with our team, all of whom are fully-trained bartenders, specializing in spirits education.”

And that education initiative extends a step further with Cat Bite Club’s Agave La and Rice Academy, courses that invite imbibers to traverse a myriad of agave or rice distillates through taste exploration. Available to craft nerds and newbies alike, each session offers historical background, technical notes and recipe recommendations, plus access to future product launches and masterclasses.

For Cat Bite Club’s sophisticated drinking experience, thoughtful menu, curated bottle list and commitment to the craft, it is the recipient of the Campari One To Watch Award 2024.

This article is a combination of two articles I wrote, originally published on the World's 50 Best Bars website here and here.

[All images courtesy of Cat Bite Club]