Perth Cocktail Weekend kicks off with Sago House takeover

The latest edition of Songbird Bar’s Twilight Tails series will bring top talent from Singapore’s Sago House to the Perth cocktail bar this weekend as part of Perth Cocktail Weekend, which returns for the second year.

On Friday 22 August, from 6-8pm, Sago House Creative Director Ronan Keilthy and Head Bartender Naz Zurimi will travel from Singapore to serve cocktails that have contributed to the bars #15 ranking on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.

Founded during the 2020 lockdown by Jay Gray, Desiree Jane Silva and Abhishek C. George, Sago House is known for its inventive cocktails, handcrafted approach and warm hospitality. The venue was built largely by hand using 80 per cent upcycled materials, and in 2023 the bar relocated to the suburb of Duxton Hill, where it maintains a focus on local produce with a rotating weekly menu and a selection of six signature cocktails.

At the Twilight Tails takeover at Songbird, Ronan and Naz will present a curated selection of Sago House cocktails that highlight the venue’s creative style. Patrons can expect to taste Basilisk (Don Julio Blanco, basil, grapefruit, elderflower, and sparkling wine), Jack of All Trades (Johnnie Walker Dark Ruby, jackfruit, falernum, aquavit, lemon, and mint), Writer’s Block (Ketel One, cucumber, mint, dry vermouth, cumin, and yoghurt) and Ba Kwa (Johnnie Walker Dark Ruby with ba kwa, dark chocolate, bitters, and Caol Ila 12).

Marco Barsotti, Beverage & Bars Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth, says: “Twilight Tails has always been about celebrating creativity and great cocktails. Sago House is one of the most exciting bars in Asia right now, and their energy, originality, and warm hospitality align perfectly with what we want to achieve for the special edition of the series over Perth Cocktail Weekend.

“This collaboration is not just about bringing in world-class talent – it’s about creating memorable experiences for locals and sharing a genuine love for the craft with our community.”

Songbird Bar’s Twilight Tails series kicked off earlier this year with an exclusive guest shift featuring Shingo Gokan of The SG Tavern in Tokyo and his team. The events invite Perth locals to experience world-class cocktails from internationally acclaimed bartenders without leaving the city.

This special edition of the Twilight Tales series forms part of Perth Cocktail Weekend – a two-day series of cocktail events and pop-ups held across the city on 22 and 23 August as part of foodie festival Plateful Perth.

Plenty more bar takeovers will take place throughout the weekend, bringing some of Australia’s top bar talent across the country for exclusive guest shifts. Representing Sydney, new neighbourhood spot Bar Demo will bring standout cocktails to Terrarium, while Little Cooler – the latest bar by Maybe Group and Matt Whiley – brings the nostalgia of a dive bar to Mechanic’s Institute. The team from Hobart’s Rude Boy are also onboard, set to take over Bar Lafayette with island vibes and rum-based cocktails.