Helping travellers build a natural connection to Thai culture and the native fauna of Koh Samui through crafted beverages, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort has unveiled The Singing Bird Lounge, a breezy, no-wall venue serving elevated cocktails inspired by Thailand’s famous bird singing contests.
Colourful and highly competitive, bird singing competitions are a fascinating part of Thai culture attracting thousands of spectators and hundreds of competitors from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Recreating the musical atmosphere of the contests, The Singing Bird Lounge offers guests an opportunity to enjoy the performance in the natural surrounds as birds trill and warble around them.
Offering a spectacularly romantic setting right on Chaweng beach, the new lounge is nestled within a network of soaring ocean-facing platforms. Overhead, a sprawling canopy formed by a 120-year-old tree offers cooling shade and plenty of perching branches for the songbirds to hop around and serenade the diners.
The seven signature cocktails were created by Myo Hein – a finalist of the Giffard West Cup 2022 Thailand competition and head mixologist at Anantara Lawana. “All herbs and plants used in the homemade bitters and syrups come straight from my garden to give guests an opportunity to experience tropical ingredients in their prime,” said Myo Hein. “We wanted to bring guests closer to nature and to reflect this, the cocktails mimic the colours of nature and immerse travellers in local flavours through storytelling.”
Opening the signature selection is Red-Whiskered Bulbul inspired by the distinctive plumage of the uncontested star of many bird singing contests. This smooth, bourbon-based cocktail shaken with homemade bitters, Amaretto, egg white, and a hint of cinnamon syrup is an excellent pre-dinner refreshment. Another classic with a twist is The Siamese Collins, a thirst-quenching fizzy tipple paying homage to the purple-hued national bird of Thailand, the Siamese fireback, with a palette of citrusy and herbal notes.
Bursting with tropical flavours, Pandan Myna Coco re-mixes the quintessential elements of island living and brings them to life in a scintillating mix of vodka, coconut rum, pandan juice and coconut syrup. Another tropical must-try is Feel Free, a rum-based cocktail capturing the essence of being at one with nature with its notes of vanilla, Thai green orange and passionfruit combined with peach liqueur to recreate the sweet sensation of soaring above the treetops and being free as a bird.
The Singing Bird Lounge at Anantara Lawana is open daily from 5.30 pm to midnight. For reservations or more information, please call +66 77 960 333 or email fbs.als@anantara.com.
