Circa the time before COVID-19 happened, way before social distancing was even a thing, takeaways and food delivery were already an integral part of the way we lived. Can’t be arsed to share a table with random strangers during the lunch hour rush? Takeaway. Can’t seem to muster the energy to even leave home to buy food home? Call for delivery.
It’s amazing to think how far we’ve developed as human beings; yet how progressively lazier we’re all becoming the more advanced our technology gets. In exchange for comfort and convenience, we’ve forgone freshness, presentation, human connection and many other wonderful factors of dining out. It’s fascinating when you think about it, really.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m all for it. Even as I’m crafting this piece from the comfort of my dinner table, I’ve both feet propped up on a chair and an itchy finger that keeps toggling between responsibilities and GrabFood. My question though, is whether the same sentiment can be felt about takeaway cocktails. Think pre-made and pre-batched alcoholic beverages that are bottled and sold off like a common supermarket commodity… But at the same price (if not more). There has been much debate surrounding bottled cocktails the past months with many claiming it to be a necessary adaptation and others outrightly saying it’s a scam. Here are my views.
Read: Free online resources for bars and bartenders during Covid-19.
COVID-19 hit us like a tsunami and with the number of cases spiralling out of control, it was inevitable that we, too, had to succumb to partial lockdown. During the end of March, the situation turned even direr when the government ordered for entertainment venues and bars to shut down as a means to bolster the viral spread. In addition to karaoke lounges, cinemas and nightclubs—which were already heartbreaking enough—the new rule made dining in restaurants, hawker centres and bars illegal.
Read: The bars that closed down for good during Circuit Breaker.
Referring back to my initial point about takeaways, it wasn’t too difficult a change to get used to with regards to food—sans Korean barbecue and our beloved hot pot restaurants—but on the bar and drinks-front, it was a total calamity.
To avoid running the risk of shutting down, many bars turned to bottle their signature cocktails to stay afloat. They would batch-make them, bottle them and sell them as either takeaway or delivery options and people would buy them, enjoy them from the safety and comfort of their home and all would seem merry and normal. But is it really?
I’ve personally drunk my fair share of bottled cocktails during the Circuit Breaker period—and I have a box overflowing with empty bottles to prove it. And to be fair, I do understand why people would naturally develop a mixed feeling about drinking bottled cocktails.
Does drinking ready-made cocktails at home exude the same feeling? Obviously not.
Is it completely bad though? I don’t feel so.
As far as social distancing goes, bottling cocktails prove to be the only viable and sustainable way for bars to stay afloat during such turbulent times. It may seem unjust to be paying such a high price for a third of the experience. But it’s necessary, in my opinion. There’s really no two ways about it. It’s either they resort to bottling and selling their drinks or they shut down. And it’s certainly not good enough a reason for them NOT to do it just because some people are upset that they’re not getting the “full experience” for the amount they pay.
Read: Tips for bars and restaurants in Singapore during Covid-19.
To some extent, I agree that paying close to S$100 for a few drinks (inclusive of delivery charges) is ridiculous considering that I don’t make enough to be able to blow a few hundred bucks in one night without feeling the pinch. But as I mentioned, it’s all about perspective. Are you paying solely for the drink itself? Or is the money you paid for it going to help tide said bar through the pandemic?
On the topic of which I prefer—bottled cocktails or drinking at a bar—It’s an easy choice. I’m partial to drinking at a bar any day. I love the energy, the conviviality of being in a place where everyone’s there to enjoy themselves and have fun. I love having dorky chats with bartenders about what inspires them and have them make me delicious drinks. Or even just socialising with the table next to mine and getting tipsy enough to propose random toasts.
Nothing can beat the real deal. Period.
Bottled cocktails? They’re reliable to a fault and you get to enjoy quality drinks without having to comb your hair, put on clothes and leave home. It’s beautiful.
A jarring issue about drinking cocktails at home is that not all homes are equipped with proper glassware and ice. Sure, they might not sound like a big deal. But just imagine sipping a Negroni from the same cup you used to have your morning coffee or Ovaltine! It’s strange.
Read our guides to cocktail and alcohol delivery services in Asia.
Despite the differing opinions about bottled cocktails, let’s all agree to disagree that though it falls short in many aspects, it was novel and I dare say exciting to dabble in while it lasted. Now that bars/restaurants have opened for Phase 2 and normalcy has somewhat resumed, bottled cocktails may cease to exist soon. Whatever happens, I’m just glad to have been one of the many to show my support and dedication to my favourite bars when it mattered.
No Comments