For the second consecutive year, the vibrant metropolis of Hong Kong rolled out the red carpet for ‘Asia’s 50 Best Bars Awards’, and once again I found myself in a place that has my heart. The city has a penchant for putting on a show when it comes to hosting the global bar industry that usually flies in for an event of such magnitude.
In the days running up to the awards, the city was abuzz with multiple guest shifts, takeovers, pop-ups, master classes and industry fireside chats – leaving very little room in my calendar (and liver!) for an easy day.
The Rosewood Hong Kong served as the elegant venue for the event once again, with the Hong Kong Tourism Board playing an instrumental role in making the evening a seamless celebration of the region’s cocktail culture. The awards are a prestigious annual highlight for the industry, and it reinforces Asia’s growing reputation as a global hub for world-class bars and cocktails.
The Asia edition of the ‘50 Best Bars Awards’ were first introduced in 2016, marking a significant milestone as the World’s 50 Best Bars ventured into a regional format for the Asian continent.
Yangdup Lama was honored as the Roku ‘Industry Icon of the Year’ for his invaluable contributions to the Asian bar industry over nearly three decades.
1st-timer & topper
This year’s list saw a remarkable newcomer to the top spot. Bar Leone, based in the heart of the vibrant cityscape of Hong Kong, clinched the No.1 position. This Italian-inspired gem, run by the charismatic Lorenzo Antinori and Justin Shun Wah, has made waves with its unique blend of casual elegance, scrumptious eats and delicious cocktails.
With its walls adorned with film posters and football jerseys, Bar Leone exudes the charm of a classic Italian diner. Its cocktail menu focuses on easy yet delectable drinks that have quickly won over guests. Never has a bar secured the top rank in its debut year in the history of the 50 Best Awards – both world and regional editions alike. Let that sink in.
Following closely in the rankings was Seoul’s Zest Bar, taking the No.2 spot. Known for its inventive approach to sustainable drinks and sophisticated atmosphere, Zest Bar continues to be a force to reckon with in the Asian bar scene after storming into the top 5 last year.
A firm favourite on the list, Singapore’s Jigger & Pony earned the No.3 position, further cementing its status as a leading player in the industry. Owned by the ever-smiling Indra Kantono, Jigger & Pony recently expanded its empire with the launch of Cosmo Pony in Jakarta, in partnership with The Union Group, underscoring Indra’s commitment to elevating the bar experience across the region.
A notable mention is Coa, which slipped to No.4 this year after an unprecedented 3-year run as the best bar in Asia (2021 to 2023). This agave spirits haven, run by the immensely hospitable duo of Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung, has consistently wowed patrons with its focus on agave-based drinks.
The duo’s recent addition, The Savory Project, also made an impression, securing the No.19 spot and earning accolades as the best new opening of 2023.
Indian ‘guru’
The awards don’t recognize bars alone but notable individual contributors in the industry. Indian bartending guru Yangdup Lama was honored as the Roku ‘Industry Icon of the Year’, a highly coveted award recognizing his invaluable contributions to the Asian bar industry over nearly three decades.
Yangdup’s influence is felt across the region, and this recognition further highlights the growing prestige of Indian talent on the global stage.
For the Indian industry, the lone spotlight in the top 50 list shone on ZLB23 at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru, which was named the best bar in India and secured the No.40 position on the list.
This Kyoto-styled speakeasy, tucked away within the hotel’s vast premises, offers a taste of Japanese-inspired décor and indulgent cocktails that reflect the elegance of Japanese nature and ingredients.
This marked quite a shift in the top rankings which has always seen more than two Indian bars in the past two editions. The 51-100 segment of the list featured four Indian bars: The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai was No.59, Lair in New Delhi was No.68, Sidecar (New Delhi) came in at No.84, and Home (New Delhi) was No.96.
As someone who has seen the awards evolve over the years (and having attended a fair share of the award ceremonies over the years) I can safely say that the 50 Best rankings have brought attention to bars in smaller Asian cities, shining a spotlight on local cultures and ingredients.
Spotlight on cultures
For example, for many editions now, Manila’s Curator, run by David Ong, has been celebrated for its creative approach. A new city to enter the list this year was Hanoi with The Haflington and Hudson Rooms at the Capella from the city being recognized for the first time.
In not-so-far away Kathmandu, Abhishek Tuladhar’s Barc was recognized at No.39 and ranked the best bar in Nepal. A seasoned expert in global tax policies, Abhishek co-founded Barc as a jazz-themed speakeasy to the fledgling bar scene of the Himalayan kingdom.
Then there is Smoke & Bitters in Hiriketiya (Sri Lanka) which has been a regular on the list for the past few editions and was ranked No.29 this year. Don Ranasinghe, who heads the bar at Smoke & Bitters, is unarguably the finest hand behind the bar in the dreamy island nation that is popular with tourists from all over the world.
The list continues well into the 51-100 segment of the rankings with Backdoor Bodega from Penang, Yakoboku from Kumamoto, Lamp Bar and The Sailing Bar from Nara and Moonrock from Tainan.
While not an exhaustive compilation, these bars illustrate how local traditions and ingredients can be beautifully woven into the global cocktail narrative. Cheers to another year of exceptional drinks, inspiring talent, and the ever-expanding cocktail culture of Asia!
