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What’s the most exciting thing about working at Idlewild?
AG Idlewild is more than just a place for entertainment and more than simply a bar with great cocktails. It’s a full experience. You can be immersed in a different world, transported to another era. We can’t really be pigeonholed and that’s the exciting thing—for some people, Idlewild might be a concert location, for others a museum.

Each element is strong and able to tell a part of our story. We’re really setting the standard for the new hybrid of cocktail bars that deliver interesting, innovative concepts, with a strong drinks programme at the heart of it all.

What exactly do you do as head of operations and creative?
AG I'm involved in almost everything that goes on at Idlewild, from events to the music programming, ingredient sourcing, and, of course, the food and beverage menu. I love getting to work with the whole team, learning from them and collaborating to make Idlewild the best possible space for guests.

How would you define your bartending style?
AG It's hard to say, so I'll go with colourful, affable and efficient.

You worked with Proof & Company to create the theme of transatlantic journey. How did you come up with such an interesting concept?
AG We wanted every element of the bar to tell the story of the Golden Age of air travel and take guests back to that exciting era of sheer indulgence, luxury and high design that encapsulated air travel through the 1940s to the 60s. We communicate this through every moment of the experience, from our sophisticated retro-luxe design to some epic music programming, great hospitality and cocktail offerings.

How does this translate to the beverage menu?
AG Inspired by the era, we created 20 exceptional story-telling, signature cocktails using innovative techniques and flavours from all over the world. Each represents a time and place found in 10 cities along the transatlantic route: Dublin, Rome, Lima, Lisbon, New York City, Casablanca, London, Paris, Mexico City and Havana; a tribute to the wanderlust and desire to travel that underscored aviation’s heyday.

Do you have any recommendations from the current menu?
AG Cocktails would be The French Cook, as well as the Cabinet of Curiosities with its ever-evolving list of exotic spirits.

(Related: Tasting The Macallan's Oldest Bottled Whisky)

Speaking of spirits, do you have any favourites?
AG Chartreuse for a very special reason. On a couple of occasions, I’ve been flown to France to spend time at the distillery and around the region to learn more about its birthplace. I’ve had the honour of meeting the Carthusian monks who make it. On my second trip, I was very generously bestowed the title of Chevalier de Chartreuse, so it’s something I’ll always be partial to. 

What’s your take on trends in the drinks industry?
AG Trends are a good reflection of what’s happening in a particular time period, what consumers like and what they want. This helps restaurants and bars shape their business at that specific point and it also helps boost the production of more niche products. Craft spirits, for example, have been growing in popularity over the years and have led to the development of interesting artisanal spirits all over the world.

What about the drinks scene in Singapore?
AG It’s fantastic. I love how passionate all of the people are. There’s a really good vibe amongst the bar and restaurant community here. They all seem incredibly supportive of each other and excited to collaborate to grow the scene here in Singapore, which is something you don’t always find in bigger cities.

What are your future plans for Idlewild?
AG We’re looking to come out with a selection of mocktails along with a cocktail and tapas pairing menu over the next few months. I would recommend you make time to pop by the bar to also enjoy our love jazz tunes led by our fabulous house band “The Wild Ones”.