This year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 is significant for the city of Hong Kong, which not only makes its debut in the bustling city but is home to three-time Best Bar in Asia COA. The city saw the bar industry from across Asia gather at the Rosewood in celebration. Here’s the run down.
“Hong Kong lived up to its reputation as one of the finest cities in the world for eating and drinking. Our first event here blew us away with the welcome we received and how successful the events were. Alongside the core 50 Best event programme, there was a mind-blowing 68 satellite events. It could not have been more successful. The list this year reflected the gradually opening travel lanes across the content. It was brilliant to see South Korean bars do so well and some brilliant new entries from across the continent.” — Mark Sansom, Content Director for Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
COA: Three Times A Charm
COA has not only won once or twice, but thrice, proving that independent bars can top the list. While they are known for making excellent agave cocktails, it is also their penchant for education on agave spirits and surrounding work that has put them in the top spot time and time again. Jay Khan is also known as one of the most humble and generous with his knowledge people in the bar industry, so his success is well deserved. And yes, the best bar in Asia doesn’t stop being the best bar in Asia just because it’s won the two years before.
“Surreal!! Still pinching myself to make sure this isn’t a dream. To be honest, this one means the most as it was hosted in HK in front of our family and friends. We are very proud and grateful the community we’ve build collectively through agave spirits. We’ve got a big year ahead of us and we are not taking anything for granted”. — Jay Khan, COA, Hong Kong, China.
Go Team Malaysia!
Malaysia has 2 bars placing in the top 50 this year, Bar Trigona (No. 36) and newly opened Penrose (No. 50), with Bar Trigona being a mainstay in the top 50 for a few years now, but its great to see a bar like Penrose breach the top 50 in its first year of opening. Other Malaysian bars to place in the top 100 this year include Junglebird (No. 55), Reka (No. 65), Coleys (No.67) and Three X Co. (No. 77), all bars well known for their craft.
It feels amazing to continue the legacy of being the best bar in Malaysia, although I feel Malaysia should be represented higher on the list. The community has been strongly knit and will eventually rise higher.” — Rohan Matmary, Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“The overwhelming love and support is surreal. The team and I are extremely grateful for this award and we can’t wait to share with you what’s coming soon!” — Jon Lee, Penrose, Malaysia
Two Cents: Thoughts From The Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy Chairs
We also spoke to the Academy Chairs of the regions to get their thoughts on the list and how their regions are represented, with John Ng the newly appointed Academy Chair for his region.
“I am so thrilled for and proud of this region! I think it is clear to all (and will be even more so after October), the amazing amount of passion, drive, creativity and community we have in Singapore and Asia as a whole. Team Asia! 💜💜” — Vivian Pei, Senior Academy Chair for China and Korea; North Asia; Southeast Asia – South; Southeast Asia – North
“I loved the list. Finally we’re showing that Japan isn’t just about Tokyo. We had bars from Osaka, Kumamoto and Okinawa for the first time, and Kyoto and Nara too. I think Kumamoto might be the location that surprised a lot of people — it’s so damn remote — but the bar that people voted for is so damn good! The new faces in Tokyo — Virtu and Bellwood if we’re talking about top 50, and Gold if we’re talking top 100 — were not surprises in any way. Gold is something really fresh and new, Virtu has become one of the essential bars to visit, and everyone loves Bellwood.” — Nick Coldicott, Academy Chair for Japan.
“I am thrilled for the bars that made it to the 1-100 list this year. Each one of them is truly deserving of the recognition. The bars span multiple cities across the region, proving that cocktail culture is no longer concentrated in any one city and there is tremendous potential across the region. The quality of drinks and service in South Asia is truly world class and it’s great to finally see these bars being celebrated.” — Priyanka Blah, Academy Chair for India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
“I think this year list are so exciting. We see many new bars are on the list. Bars who are on the list are some of the best in the region in term of drinks, hospitality and innovation. Impressed to see venues which made to the list and also stay strong during one of most difficult time around with all regulation in place from the government. They keep themselves together and some even make it better and better.” — John Ng, Academy Chair for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
Thanks For The Love Holly Graham
This year also sees Holly Graham, the outgoing Academy Chair for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, step down as she will be opening her own bar, Tokyo Confidential in Tokyo. She has not only been a great Academy Chair for her region but has also represented the bar industry in Asia with her tireless coverage of guest shifts in Asia under DRiNK Magazine.
It’s been an absolute honour to represent my region and I really hope I’ve done the bars proud – because they certainly have made me beyond proud. But now, it’s time for me to join the ranks of bar owner!” — Holly Graham, Outgoing Academy Chair for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
A Seat At The Bar: Slowly But Surely
This year’s list shows that its almost impossible to predict, with COA, a bar which doesn’t engage a PR agency, setting an interesting precedent by being the first bar achieving such a feat on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. It is great to see bars like The Cocktail Club in Jakarta make a significant leap, as well as the strong showing of Korean bars in general. So what does it take to climb the list? Perhaps a stellar menu coupled with great hospitality, humility and treating all customers like VIPs and a genuine interest in creating an outstanding bar experience.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023
- COA, Hong Kong, China
- Jigger & Pony, Singapore
- BKK Social Club, Bangkok, Thailand
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
- Zest, Seoul, Korea
- Tropic City, Bangkok, Thailand
- Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
- Argo, Hong Kong, China
- Darkside, Hong Kong, China
- Sago House, Singapore
- Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan
- Vesper, Bangkok, Thailand
- Cham Bar, Seoul, Korea
- The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan
- Analogue Initiative, Singapore
- Republic, Singapore
- The Aubrey, Hong Kong, China
- Sidecar, New Delhi, India
- The Cocktail Club, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Virtù, Tokyo, Japan
- Manhattan, Singapore
- Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok, Thailand
- Lamp Bar, Nara, Japan
- 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
- Le Chamber, Seoul, Korea
- Penicillin, Hong Kong, China
- Atlas, Singapore
- Alice, Seoul, Korea
- Pantja, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Employees Only, Singapore
- Quinary, Hong Kong, China
- Stay Gold Flamingo, Singapore
- Mostly Harmless, Hong Kong, China
- The Curator, Manila, Philippines
- The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai, India
- Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Southside Parlor, Seoul, Korea
- Copitas, Bengaluru, India
- Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou, China
- Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
- Vender, Taichung, Taiwan
- Native, Singapore
- The Public House, Taipei, Taiwan
- Bee’s Knees, Kyoto, Japan
- High Five, Tokyo, Japan
- Soko, Seoul, Korea
- The Old Man, Hong Kong, China
- The Living Room, Mumbai, India
- The Bellwood, Tokyo, Japan
- Penrose, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Charles H, Seoul, Korea
- To Infinity and Beyond, Taipei, Taiwan
- The Pontiac, Hong Kong, China
- Room by Le Kief, Taipei, Taiwan
- Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Gold Bar, Tokyo, Japan
- Americano, Mumbai, India
- Home, New Delhi, India
- Opium, Bangkok, Thailand
- Hoots’, New Delhi, India
- Last Word, Singapore
- Craftroom, Osaka, Japan
- Tippling Club, Singapore
- The Elephant Room, Singapore
- Reka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Hideaway, Goa, India
- Coley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Asia Today, Bangkok, Thailand
- Bitters & Co., Kathmandu, Nepal
- Epic, Shanghai, China
- Moonrock, Tainan, Taiwan
- Pine & Co, Seoul, Korea
- Night Hawk, Singapore
- No Sleep Club, Singapore
- The Back Room, Manila, Philippines
- Wishbone Bar, Semarang, Indonesia
- Three X Co., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- #FindTheLockerRoom, Bangkok, Thailand
- Offtrack, Singapore
- El Lequio, Okinawa, Japan
- Bar Rocking Chair, Kyoto, Japan
- Stir, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Bespoke, Singapore
- Yakoboku, Kumamoto, Japan
- The Haflington, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Mizunara: The Library, Hong Kong, China
- The Odd Couple, Shanghai, China
- The Sailing Bar, Nara, Japan
- The Wise King, Hong Kong, China
- Union Trading Company, Shanghai, China
- Aha Saloon, Taipei, Taiwan
- Bar Trench, Tokyo, Japan
- Bar Mood, Taipei, Taiwan
- PCO, New Delhi, India
- Origin Grill & Bar, Singapore
- Enigma, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Tell Camellia, Hong Kong, China
- Honky Tonks Tavern, Hong Kong, China
- Loft, Bangkok, Thailand
- Barc, Kathmandu, Nepal
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023: Special Awards
Best Bar in Asia: COA, Hong Kong, China
Best Bar in Hong Kong: COA, Hong Kong, China
Best Bar in India: Sidecar, New Delhi, India
Best Bar in Indonesia: The Cocktail Club, Jakarta, Indonesia
Best Bar in Japan: Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
Best Bar in Korea: Zest, Seoul, Korea
Best Bar in Malaysia: Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Best Bar in Singapore: Jigger & Pony, Singapore
Best Bar in Sri Lanka: Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
Best Bar in Taiwan: Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan
Best Bar in Thailand: BKK Social Club, Bangkok, Thailand
Best Bar in The Philippines: The Curator, Manila, The Philippines
Campari One To Watch Award: Night Hawk, Singapore
Disaronno Highest New Entry: Virtù, Tokyo, Japan
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award: Analogue, Singapore
London Essence Best New Opening: Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok, Thailand
Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award: Sago House, Singapore
Nikka Highest Climber: Zest, Seoul, Korea
Rémy Martin Legend of the List: Jigger & Pony, Singapore
Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award: The Cocktail Club, Jakarta, Indonesia
Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award: Beckaly Franks of The Pontiac, Hong Kong, China
Roku Industry Icon: Hiroyasu Kayama of Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
For our thoughts on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, see Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022.
For our thoughts on The Worlds 50 Best Bars, see The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022.
For all 50 Best related content, see 50 Best.
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