At the Osaka Expo, Singapore’s pavilion is hard to miss — a striking 17-meter-tall red sphere that stands out from afar. Inside, visitors will find both a restaurant and a spacious bar, making it an attractive stop for food and drinks.

Celebrating Singapore’s 60th Year of Independence

This year, Singapore celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence (SG60), and the Expo is positioned as one of its major milestone events. The pavilion’s concept, “Where Dreams Take Shape,” reflects Singapore’s story of turning ambitious ideas into reality — and aims to inspire visitors to do the same.

Through interactive exhibits, artist performances, and opportunities to experience Singaporean cuisine and culture, the pavilion showcases the country’s charm and future potential.

Sip a Genuine Singapore Sling at the CLOUD BAR

When you’re done exploring the exhibits, you’ll find yourself at the “CLOUD BAR,” a spacious spot where you can enjoy a wide variety of cocktails — including non-alcoholic options. The iconic Singapore Sling is available for around 1,700 yen(around $10).

What’s a Singapore Sling?

The Singapore Sling is a cocktail that captures the tropical elegance of the region. It was first created in 1915 at the Long Bar of the legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Back then, it was designed as an “elegant drink” for fashionable women who wanted something lighter than the strong spirits typically served to men. The cocktail quickly gained worldwide popularity and is now served in bars across the globe — though its original recipe was long lost and only recently reconstructed from historical archives at Raffles.

At the pavilion, your Singapore Sling is crafted right at the bar. A single sip bursts with fruity sweetness and a hint of tartness, blending the aroma of cherry liqueur with the crispness of gin — an instant tropical escape. Its vivid color lifts your mood and helps beat the heat.

Raffles Hotel’s Sustainable Twist on the Singapore Sling

Outside the Expo, the birthplace of the Singapore Sling — Raffles Hotel — has taken steps to make this iconic cocktail more sustainable. (Note: This initiative is independent of the Expo.)

According to the Raffles Hotel’s website, they’ve adopted ecoSPIRITS — an innovative distribution system that reduces the environmental impact of transporting alcohol. Instead of single-use glass bottles, premium spirits are delivered in reusable large containers called ecoTOTEs, which helps the Long Bar cut down thousands of glass bottles each year.

Even garnishes are delivered in bulk packaging, significantly reducing packaging waste. Disposable plastic straws have been swapped for biodegradable ones made from potato starch, preventing microplastics from entering the ocean.

These efforts mean each Singapore Sling now saves about 200 grams of CO2 emissions. Plus, for every 25 cocktails served, one native tree is planted in Indonesia’s Kalimantan or Sumatra, contributing to forest restoration and biodiversity.

If you’re visiting the Expo, don’t miss the chance to unwind at the Singapore Pavilion’s bar and sip a genuine Singapore Sling — it’s an iconic taste of the country’s past, present, and sustainable future.