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Header image courtesy of @coahongkong (via Instagram)
On the evening of 18 July 2023, the eighth edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars unveiled its prestigious list. As the first gathering of Asia’s top talents since 2019, it is no surprise that the highly anticipated announcement was given due respect in an exhilarating ceremony. Excitement ran high as guests and awardees cheered on the continent’s favourite bars.
For a third year in a row, Hong Kong-based Coa tops the chart as the best bar in Asia. Helmed by mixologist Jay Khan, the cosy neighbourhood establishment is known for serving a wide selection of agave spirits in its Shin Hing Street location in Central.
A total of eight Hong Kong bars made the list, including Argo, Darkside, The Aubrey, Penicillin, Quinary, Mostly Harmless, and The Old Man. Additionally, Beckaly Franks of The Pontiac also received the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award at the ceremony. Other top winners in Asia include Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove, and Sago House in Singapore; BKK Social Club and Tropic City in Bangkok; Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo; and Zest in Seoul.
A selection of special awards was announced alongside the countdown, with Night Hawk in Singapore awarded the Campari One To Watch Award and Hiroyasu Kayama, the farm-to-bar mixologist of Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich, crowned the Roku Industry Icon.
Jigger & Pony in Singapore scores the Rémy Martin Legend of the List title, Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar in Bangkok was named London Essence Best New Opening in Asia, and Analogue in Singapore won the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award.
Meanwhile, Virtù from Otemachi was given the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, Zest in Seoul made an impressive climb of 43 places up the list and was granted the Nikka Highest Climber Award, The Cocktail Club in Jakarta was awarded the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu award, and Sago House in Singapore scored the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.
Established by an academy of 260 bar experts—from bartenders and bar owners to drinks educators, writers, and even cocktail aficionados—the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list is a comprehensive roster which showcases the region’s top watering holes. Winners are selected by way of voting and their placement on the list is judged according to the virtuosic expertise of the panellists spread across the continent.
For a complete list of winners announced at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, click here.
Born and raised in Hong Kong and educated in the UK, Celia is passionate about culture, food, and different happenings in the city. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her scouting for new and trendy restaurants, getting lost in a bookstore, or baking up a storm at home.
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