For the first time in the history of The World’s 50 Best Bars, Asia has claimed the crown. Bar Leone in Hong Kong has been named The World’s Best Bar 2025, sponsored by Perrier. This milestone moment was announced during the 17th edition of the awards, held in Hong Kong for the first time. The accolade marks an extraordinary triumph for the city and the wider Asian bar community, recognising Lorenzo Antinori’s cocktail vision rooted in Italian hospitality and Roman soul.
“It is such a delight to unveil Bar Leone as The World’s Best Bar 2025, sponsored by Perrier. Not only is this remarkable achievement the first time a bar from Asia has claimed the top spot but it is a dazzling testament to the commitment of Lorenzo and the entire Bar Leone team to redefining hospitality excellence. We raise a glass to every bar that has earned their place in this year’s list — igniting wanderlust and raising the bar for cocktail culture across the globe.” — Emma Sleight, Head of Content for 50 Best Bars.
Leone Roars To The Top
Nestled in Hong Kong’s Central district, Bar Leone celebrates the philosophy of cocktail popolari — “cocktails for the people”. Designed as an ode to the Roman neighbourhood bars of the 1980s and ’90s, the venue blends unpretentious charm with refined technique. Founded by Antinori, whose pedigree includes The American Bar at The Savoy and Dandelyan in London, Bar Leone strips away complexity to focus on precision, warmth, and community.
“Bar Leone was built on the simple idea of serving great drinks with soul. It’s a place for everyone — elegant but human, refined but familiar. This recognition belongs not only to Hong Kong but to every guest who believed in the power of hospitality done right.” — Lorenzo Antinori, Founder of Bar Leone, Hong Kong.
Asian Represented by 26 Bars: 10 Bars in Top 50, 16 in 51-100
Asia’s momentum continued strongly, with 10 bars in the top 50 and 16 in the 51–100 list, totalling 26 entries overall. Beyond Bar Leone’s historic win, Asia celebrated several milestones: Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City slipped to No.2, while Jigger & Pony (No.9) remained Singapore’s highest entry, joined by Nutmeg & Clove (No.50). Bangkok’s Bar Us soared 26 places to No.15, BKK Social Club returned at No.49, and Seoul’s Zest ranked No.16. Tokyo impressed with Bar Benfiddich (No.18), Virtù (No.45), and The Bellwood (No.48). Guangzhou joined for the first time with Hope & Sesame at No.29. Penang’s Backdoor Bodega clinched the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award, marking Malaysia’s debut in the global awards.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025
- Bar Leone, Hong Kong
- Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
- Sips, Barcelona
- Paradiso, Barcelona
- Tayēr + Elementary, London
- Connaught Bar, London
- Moebius Milano, Milan
- Line, Athens
- Jigger & Pony, Singapore
- Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
- Alquímico, Cartagena
- Superbueno, New York
- Lady Bee, Lima
- Himkok, Oslo
- Bar Us, Bangkok
- Zest, Seoul
- Bar Nouveau, Paris
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
- Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
- The Cambridge Public House, Paris
- Satan’s Whiskers, London
- Locale Firenze, Florence
- Tlecān, Mexico City
- Tan Tan, São Paulo
- Mirror Bar, Bratislava
- CoChinChina, Buenos Aires
- Baba au Rum, Athens
- Nouvelle Vague, Tirana
- Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
- Danico, Paris
- Scarfes Bar, London
- Svanen, Oslo
- Sastrería Martinez, Lima
- Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
- Röda Huset, Stockholm
- Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
- Salmon Guru, Madrid
- Coa, Hong Kong
- Sip & Guzzle, New York
- Drink Kong, Rome
- Double Chicken Please, New York
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney
- 1930, Milan
- Jewel of the South, New Orleans
- Virtù, Tokyo
- Overstory, New York
- The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens
- The Bellwood, Tokyo
- BKK Social Club, Bangkok
- Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
- Angelita, Madrid
- Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
- Bar Cham, Seoul
- Bar Mauro, Mexico City
- Bar Pompette, Toronto
- Argo, Hong Kong
- Wax On, Berlin
- Freni e Frizioni, Rome
- Schmuck, New York
- LPM Dubai, Dubai
- Exímia, São Paulo
- Barro Negro, Athens
- L’Antiquario, Naples
- True Laurel, San Francisco
- The SG Club, Tokyo
- Bird, Copenhagen
- Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya
- La Sala de Laura, Bogotá
- Hero Bar, Nairobi
- Gokan, Hong Kong
- El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
- Attaboy, New York
- A Bar with Shapes For a Name, London
- Vender, Taichung
- Martiny’s, New York
- Tjoget, Stockholm
- Arca, Tulum
- Baltra Bar, Mexico City
- Kwãnt Mayfair, London
- Three Sheets Soho, London
- Mamba Negra, Medellín
- Café La Trova, Miami
- Dr. Stravinsky, Barcelona
- Native, Singapore
- Boadas, Barcelona
- The Savory Project, Hong Kong
- Victor Audio Bar, Buenos Aires
- Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok
- Foco, Barcelona
- Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
- Byrdi, Melbourne
- Opium, Bangkok
- Mírate, Los Angeles
- Bar Trench, Tokyo
- Employees Only, New York
- Lair, New Delhi
- Kumiko, Chicago
- Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Rome
- Gucci Giardino, Florence
- Bar Carmen, Medellín
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Special Awards
Best Bar in the World: Bar Leone, Hong Kong
Best Bar in Asia: Bar Leone, Hong Kong
Best Bar in Europe: Sips, Barcelona
Best Bar in North America: Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
Best Bar in South America: Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
Best Bar in Australasia: Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
Best Bar in the Middle East: Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
Best Bar in Africa: Hero Bar, Nairobi
Roku Industry Icon Award: Simone Caporale, Sips, Barcelona
Campari One To Watch Award: Bar Mauro, Mexico City
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award: The Cambridge Public House, Paris
Disaronno Highest New Entry Award: Mirror Bar, Bratislava
Nikka Highest Climber Award: Moebius Milano, Milan
Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award: Backdoor Bodega, Penang
Three Cents Best New Opening Award: Sip & Guzzle, New York
Bareksten Best Bar Design Award: Tigra + Disco Pantera, Sydney
Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award: Lady Bee, Lima
Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award: Baba au Rum, Athens
Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award: Uno Jang, Jigger & Pony, Singapore
For our thoughts on The Worlds 50 Best Bars, see The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024.
For our thoughts on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, see Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024.
For all 50 Best related content, see 50 Best.
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