PROOF & COMPANY PRESENTS 28 HONGKONG STREET’S NEW HEAD BARTENDER
SINGAPORE, 11 SEPTEMBER – 28 HongKong Street has been on an incredible journey, climbing from #49 to an impressive #24 in the latest Asia’s 50 Best Bars Awards. Adding a dash of excitement to this beloved local hotspot, Proof & Company is thrilled to introduce its newest head bartender, Tamaryn Cooper. As the newest member of the family, Tamaryn brings her unique flair and infectious enthusiasm to this renowned establishment.
Amidst the clinking glasses and the buzz of patrons, we sat down with Tamaryn to talk about her journey, next steps, and the recent recognition that has sent waves of excitement through the bar.
Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Could you tell us more about yourself and your journey in the world of mixology?
I’m a unique blend myself – half Thai and half British, and I spent my formative years in Indonesia. My journey in the industry began eight years ago, and it’s taken me from the United Kingdom to Thailand and now Singapore.
Over the last four years, I’ve been sharpening my bartending skills and creativity. I’ve been fortunate to work in diverse settings, soaking up different cultures and environments, including over 20 guest shifts that added spice to my experiences. My most recent gig was as Head Bartender & Manager at Asia Today in bustling Bangkok, Thailand.
Now, I’m pumped to be part of 28 HongKong Street, adding my passion and expertise to this respected spot. Oh, and my friends always tease me for my go-to catchphrase, ‘let’s get this bread.'”
Can you share with us what it’s been like for you since starting at 28 HongKong Street?
Life at 28 HongKong Street has been nothing short of rewarding. The dynamic bar environment, mingling with a diverse crowd of industry pros and guests, and soaking in Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry have been a wellspring of inspiration for crafting drinks.
A typical day often starts early, managing orders and coordinating with suppliers to ensure we have all we need. As evening approaches, it’s full steam ahead, preparing for the exciting moments of service. After the hustle and bustle, our team gathers for some post-service camaraderie during clean-up. Whether we’re still at work or enjoying some drinks together outside, these moments are invaluable.
I was fortunate enough to join the team during the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Award ceremony, which was a particularly exciting time. Our remarkable climb in the rankings from the previous year is truly significant. Receiving praise and recognition from friends and industry pros is humbling and incredibly motivating. This isn’t merely a moment of pride; it’s a motivator that inspires all of us to set our sights higher.
It’s clear that the team plays a pivotal role in growth. Can you tell us more about how the team contributes to the overall atmosphere at the bar?
Absolutely, the team is at the heart of it all, setting the tone for our service. Guests don’t just come for drinks; they come for hospitality and an experience. It starts with us, the folks behind the bar.
We’re dedicated to ensuring that every guest leaves not just with a great drink but also with wonderful memories of their time at 28 Hong Kong Street. Our shared commitment to excellence and passion for hospitality defines our venue and keeps guests coming back for more. We’re the ones who create that welcoming, comfortable, and fun atmosphere.
What excites you the most about your role as the new Head Bartender?
Through my journey, I’ve met incredible people from all corners of the world. Their guidance and support have shaped my path. As the Head Bartender, I’m committed to creating a work environment where everyone feels supported and inspired to do their best. I want to be a mentor and a positive influence on our tight-knit team.
Beyond just a job, I see 28 HongKong Street as a place for learning and skill development, a platform to build a fulfilling career. Personally, I’m eager to see the growth of our young and energetic team. We’ve got exciting events and guest shifts lined up in the coming months. And the new menu? Well, that’s a collective effort we’re all enthusiastic about. Stay tuned to our socials for more updates!
28 HONGKONG STREET REUNITES FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE SINGAPORE'S ACHIEVEMENT IN ASIA'S 50 BEST BARS AWARDS
SINGAPORE, 29 APRIL – Singapore’s ever-changing cocktail scene has never been better thanks to its diversity, excellence and innovation, a fact reinforced by the 7th edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, held in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday evening. Since its very first edition in 2016, an average of 10 Singapore bars appear on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list each year – which is no easy feat.
That’s in no small part thanks to the strength of the Singapore bar community. Despite the many difficulties the food and beverage industry has confronted during the pandemic, the Singapore bar community has been resilient, innovating, embracing new technologies, and facing these challenges together. Now, the easing of Covid-19 measures has sparked optimism and a sense of revival across the city.
To celebrate, 28 HongKong Street invited industry friends to watch the live stream reveal of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 on 28 April, Thursday. The crowd cheered as Head Bartender, Elliot Pascoe, and Floor Manager, Nalini (Lin) Balasundaram called in live from the award ceremony at Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, alongside some of the brightest stars of the region.
“After two years of virtual screening, it feels just like old times when we were all together – determined to prove what we could do. It is moving how resilient our industry has been, in order to make this happen, but we never gave up hope that we would make it back stronger than ever, ” says Lin.
It was an emotional reunion which saw bartenders, bar owners and close friends reconnecting in anticipation and elation at what unfolded onscreen, with Singapore bars claiming 11 spots on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. With special awards such as The Roku Industry Icon awarded to Nutmeg & Clove’s Colin Chia and MO Bar achieving the Nikka Highest Climber award after jumping 28 places over last year, Singapore’s bar scene has never been better.
28 HongKong Street landed at #49 on this year’s list, making it the sixth consecutive year that the bar has made a showing on the list, a reflection of how despite celebrating its 10th birthday last year, the bar continues to shape Singapore’s drinks culture and further grow its reputation as a global institution of fine drinking.
“The 28 team set out with the goal to bring something that was missing in Singapore – an institute dedicated entirely to fine drinking and education. And now, here we are today – still maintaining a position among many other fine contenders,” says Peart, “Everyone who comes through our doors is important to us, and we would like to thank you for all the support and love given to us.”
The night was about acknowledging the hard work our bar community has done to help make this industry what it is today and celebrating its achievements this year. A special mention goes out to Jigger & Pony, Singapore and COA, Hong Kong who were judged Asia’s Best Bar 2022 #2 and #1 respectively for the second consecutive year – breaking records with their outstanding performance and hospitality. From the 28 HongKong Street team, congratulations once again to all the winners who made it onto Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022.
About Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Asia’s 50 Best Bars is the first regional event of The World’s 50 Best Bars brand, created in 2016 with the purpose of showcasing the best and most innovative talent in the drinks industry in this region. The annual ranking is based on the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, comprising the most knowledgeable and travelled members of the bar industry, drinks media and mixology experts from across Asia. Asia’s 50 Best Bar is owned and organised by William Reed, the group behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and its regional offshots.
Learn more by visiting their website at https://www.worlds50bestbars.com/
About 28 HongKong Street
Hidden behind an unassuming 1960’s shophouse façade, 28HKS is a word-of-mouth venue for people who might appreciate the kind of venue that we enjoy ourselves: relaxing at the beginning, growing a tad louder as the night goes on. The drinks focus’ is on artisanal spirits and American-style craft cocktails. The food is gussied up American comfort food made from scratch for sharing.
You can visit the venue from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, Monday to Thursday, and 6:00 pm to 2:00 am, Friday to Saturday. You can follow the journey on Instagram.