SINGAPORE — Jeff Bell is the man you want behind the counter when you’re ordering your cocktail. The head bartender of New York’s most buzzed-about watering hole, Please Don’t Tell (PDT), is also Diageo Reserve World Class US Bartender of the year 2013.

If you want to know what his drinks are like, you can try them yourself: He’s doing a guest stint at a pop-up bar next Thursday when he’s here for the semi-finals of the Singapore leg of the Diageo Reserve World Class competition. Of course, you could always head for the Big Apple to check out his home turf and other favourites.

BAR HOP IN EAST VILLAGE

“PDT was opened in the East Village roughly seven years ago, when they weren’t too many great options here, but now the East Village is probably the best neighbourhood in the world to drink in. There are bars like Death & Co, Mayahuel, Pouring Ribbons, Amor y Amargo and PDT, all within a few blocks from one another.”

OR GO OUTSIDE

“Employees Only or EO (in West Village) and the NoMad (hotel) are my two favourite places to have a night out. EO is my bar of choice when my friends are visiting from out of town. I love the guys there and they always provide the best service. NoMad is kind of the ultimate destination — there’s food, cocktails and even a wine programme. It’s what I like to call ‘The triple threat of delicious’.”

TAKE A BREATHER FROM ALL THE COOLNESS

“When I have free time — and weather permitting — I love to spend time in Central and Prospect Park. The tranquility offers a much needed break from the crazy hustle of the city.”

HAVE A CUPPA

“Caffe Vita (in Lower East Side) is one of my favourite places for coffee. The shop is about 20 feet long and 10 feet wide and they still roast their own coffee there! It’s great! There is also a great casual spot in Park Slope Brooklyn called Biercraft that serves excellent sub sandwiches and has a vast selection of microbrews from all over the world.”

Catch Jeff Bell in action at 101 Amoy Street on Feb 13 from 9pm.