BAR LEONE IS CROWNED THE BEST BAR IN ASIA AT ASIA'S 50 BEST BARS FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The list for 2025 and several special awards were announced at a live ceremony in Macau, featuring bars from 20 destinations across the region

• Bar Leone ranks No.1 and is named The Best Bar in Asia, sponsored by Perrier
• The list features 20 new entries and establishments spanning 20 Asian destinations
• Bangkok has seven bars on the list, as Bar Us ranks No.4 and is named The Best Bar in Thailand, sponsored by Amaro Lucano
• Bangkok's Vesper (No.29) wins the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award
• Sora (No.65) in Phnom Penh takes home the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 
• Modernhaus (No.12) in Jakarta has been named the Three Cents Best New Opening Award recipient
• Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (No.5) from Bangkok wins Disaronno Highest New Entry Award
• Industry stalwart Jay Khan of Hong Kong and Shanghai's Coa (No.17 and No.85, respectively) is crowned Roku Industry Icon
• Alice in Seoul is named Nikka Highest Climber after rising 33 places in the rankings to No.13
• Workshop14 (No.83) from Hanoi receives the Campari One To Watch Award 
• Backdoor Bodega (No.64), Penang is the recipient of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award
• Bangkok's Messenger Service (No.90) takes home the Best Bar Design Award

For the full 1-50 list, please refer to the accompanying document or scroll to the bottom of this release.

MACAU, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bar Leone in Hong Kong has clinched the coveted title of The Best Bar in Asia and The Best Bar in Hong Kong, sponsored by Perrier, for the second year in a row, at the live awards ceremony for Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 this evening in Macau. The ceremony was hosted in collaboration with destination partners Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, and featured bars from 20 cities across Asia, including 20 new entries.

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Bar Leone made 50 Best history in 2024 by being the first-ever establishment to debut on the list at No.1 and as The Best Bar in Asia. The Hong Kong cocktail bar, owned and operated by Lorenzo Antinori, whose previous stints include the acclaimed Argo and now defunct Dandelyan (The World's Best Bar 2018), is the home of 'cocktail popolari' or 'cocktails for the people'. The menu features a carefully curated selection of classic cocktails, some elevated with simple yet intriguing twists, all while staying true to its identity as a neighbourhood bar. Inspired by the bars of Rome's Trastevere district where Antinori grew up, with football memorabilia and vintage Italian posters adorning the wood-panelled walls – the space combines laid-back charm with effortless chic, putting guests immediately at ease while they enjoy a lineup of excellent drinks. Bar Leone also made a remarkable debut on The World's 50 Best Bars list in 2024, landing at the prestigious No.2 position.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Asia's 50 Best Bars, says: "We're thrilled to gather in Macau with Asia's vibrant and passionate drinks community. The region's bars continue to redefine excellence in cocktail culture, as seen in the talent and creativity of this year's winners. With 20 new entries, the most in recent years, this list is a testament to the boundary-pushing creativity of Asia, with truly memorable drink experiences waiting to be explored by cocktail enthusiasts. Congratulations to Lorenzo Antinori and the entire team at Bar Leone for the incredible feat of retaining the No.1 spot, and for delivering a consistently outstanding drinking and hospitality experience that brings a bellissimo slice of Rome to Hong Kong."

At No.2 is the sustainability-forward Zest in Seoul, a position it retains from 2024, making it The Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Tia Maria, for the third year running. Another consistent presence in the top five is the plush drinking den Jigger & Pony in Singapore at No.3, making it The Best Bar in Singapore, sponsored by Torres Brandy, for the sixth consecutive year. Climbing 17 places to No.4 is Bar Us in Bangkok which takes the title of The Best Bar in Thailand, sponsored by Amaro Lucano. A newcomer to the list, Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, also from Bangkok, debuts at an impressive No.5 while clinching the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award.

A total of 13 bars from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China made the list this year. Hong Kong leads the region with six spots, with Argo at No.11 and Coa at No.17, followed by Penicillin (No.27) and The Savory Project (No.32). Newcomer Gokan is at No.33; the eponymous bar by celebrated regional bar personality and former Altos Bartenders' Bartender awardee, Shinko Gokan – rounds off Hong Kong's showing. From Taichung, the vending machine-themed bar Vender climbs 10 spots to No.20 and is named The Best Bar in Taiwan, sponsored by Naked Malt. In Taipei, The Public House rises four spots to No.40, while To Infinity & Beyond debuts at No.41 with technique-driven drinks in a sci-fi inspired setting that pays tribute to the planets. From Tainan, Moonrock enters the list at No.42, offering well-executed cocktails in an elegant space reminiscent of a traditional Taiwanese tea house. Guangzhou's Hope & Sesame, the hidden drinking den behind a cha chaan teng (Cantonese casual eatery) climbs seven places to No.7, earning the title of The Best Bar in Mainland China, sponsored by Cointreau, for the third consecutive year. CMYK, the high-energy, multi-room bar built inside an old residential building in Changsha, soars 27 spots to No.16. MO Bar Shenzhen makes its debut at No.21, serving moveable type printing-inspired cocktails with glittering city views from its 79^th floor spot.

Bangkok has seven bars on the list and leading the pack is Bar Us at No.4, crowned The Best Bar in Thailand, sponsored by Amaro Lucano. This intimate, high-concept drinking room draws inspiration from fine dining, offering a multi-course cocktail menu with ingredients sourced from local farms. Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, a nature-inspired bar led by Thai cocktail veteran Supawit 'Palm' Muttarattana, debuts at No.5 and clinches the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award. At No.19 is BKK Social Club, followed by new entry G.O.D at No.26 – by the team behind Teens of Thailand and Asia Today, where the drinks are spirit-forward and the vibe is edgy and experimental. Vesper ranks at No.29, while Opium enters at No.43. The speakeasy hidden inside restaurant Potong takes cues from both Bangkok's Chinatown and classic New York bars and is named after the opium den that once housed the space. Finally, Bar Sathorn debuts at No.48, located within The House on Sathorn, a heritage house built in 1889. The bar is a genteel, luxurious lounge focused on precision-crafted cocktails.

Japan secures six spots on the list, led by Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo at No.9, which also claims the title of The Best Bar in Japan, sponsored by Mancino Vermouth. Close behind is Virtù at No.18, followed by Yakoboku from Kumamoto, which debuts on the list at No.25 and is helmed by Tokyo bar stalwart Shinya Koba. A newcomer to the list at No.36, Punch Room Tokyo at The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, channels 19th-century London club culture with traditional punches reimagined using native ingredients. Lamp Bar from Nara re-enters at No.46, while new entry Bar Libre emerges at No.49, where a seasonally-driven menu incorporates liquid nitrogen, smoking guns and barrel-aged drinks.

Five bars from Singapore feature on the list, leading with Jigger & Pony (No.3) which retains the title of The Best Bar in Singapore, sponsored by Torres Brandy, for the sixth consecutive year. Music-centric bar Offtrack rises to No.23, followed by Nutmeg & Clove at No.24. The agave spirit-focused speakeasy, Cat Bite Club enters the rankings at No.44, closely followed by Native at No.45.

From India, Lair in New Delhi enters the list at No.8 and is crowned The Best Bar in India, sponsored by Matusalem. A modern speakeasy, its interiors are reminiscent of a reimagined film noir set. From Bengaluru, newcomer Soka lands at No.28, with well-crafted drinks, a refined aesthetic and high-energy vibe. ZLB23 climbs nine spots to No.31, delighting cocktail lovers from its hidden location through a secret entrance within a working kitchen; and new entry Bar Spirit Forward (No.37) crafts drinks true to its name, with a Japanese omakase approach. Goa's Boilermaker makes its debut at No.30, with an experience akin to a freewheeling house party with the soul of a dive bar, where traditional spirits like feni (cashew liquor) are spotlighted.

Malaysia secures four spots on the list, led by Penrose (No.10) in Kuala Lumpur, crowned The Best Bar in Malaysia, sponsored by Scrappy's Bitters. Speakeasy Three X Co, hidden behind a pop-up barbershop in Bangsar Shopping Centre, re-enters at No.15. Bar Trigona ranks No.39, while Reka follows at No.47.

Bars from Indonesia also claim four spots, all of which are list debutants, headlined by Jakarta's Modernhaus at No.12, named The Best Bar in Indonesia, sponsored by Three Cents, and winner of the Three Cents Best New Opening Award. The St. Regis Bar Jakarta debuts at No.22, offering an opulent space, beverage rituals, handpicked glassware and live jazz. Carrots Bar, an intimate venue in SCBD with a culinary-focused cocktail menu, enters the list at No.34. Rounding off Indonesia's showing is Cosmo Pony at No.38, a joint venture between Singapore's Jigger & Pony Group and The Union Group that's designed as a stylish living room for Jakarta's cocktail crowd.

Seoul is represented by four positions on the list, led by Zest at No.2, making it The Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Tia Maria, for three years in a row. Bar Cham ascends 14 places to No.6 and Alice leaps 33 spots to No.13 and clinches the Nikka Highest Climber Award. This whimsical Gangnam speakeasy channels the surreal charm of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland through its imaginative cocktails and setting. Le Chamber caps the list and South Korea's showing at No.50.

From Hiriketiya, list mainstay Smoke & Bitters jumps 15 spots to No.14 and is crowned The Best Bar in Sri Lanka, sponsored by Noam. This tropical cocktail haven, set in a coconut grove on Pehebiya Beach, is credited with putting the area on the global cocktail map. In Kathmandu, Barc with its elegant, jazz-accompanied dining and cocktail experience, rises four places to No.35 and claims the title of The Best Bar in Nepal, sponsored by Michter's.

Special Awards

Workshop14, Hanoi (No.83 on the extended 51-100 list), has won the Campari One To Watch Award, a recognition by the 50 Best team for a rising star bar that has all the right ingredients to break into the 1-50 list in the future. Located on Hanoi's scenic West Lake, Workshop14 fuses innovation and tradition in their modern drinks made with native Vietnamese ingredients; all served in a space where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary design.

Bartender, bar owner and agave spirits advocate Jay Khan has been named Roku Industry Icon. He is the founder of Coa Hong Kong, which held the title of The Best Bar in Asia for three consecutive years, as well as The Savory Project and Coa Shanghai. A former Altos Bartenders' Bartender awardee in 2020, Jay also founded the non-profit Mezcal Mission, which runs educational workshops on tequila and mezcal while supporting local charities.

Bangkok's Vesper (No.29), has been honoured with the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award; an accolade for bars that have consistently excelled in the rankings since the list began in 2016. One of the city's original cocktail pioneers, Vesper remains a fixture of Bangkok's bar scene.

Also from Bangkok, Messenger Service (No.90) takes home the Best Bar Design Award for its interiors that feel distinctly minimalist with moody, intimate lighting and bottle-lined walls akin to a cocktail apothecary.

Modernhaus, Jakarta, is awarded the Three Cents Best New Opening Award and enters the list at No.12. Created by nightlife veterans Mirwansyah Bule and The Union Group; the team behind Jakarta's acclaimed The Cocktail Club, Modernhaus blends mid-century style with modern cocktails.

Sora in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (No.65 on the extended 51-100 list) wins the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award for its groundbreaking zero-waste beverage initiative. From reusable containers and ethically sourced, local ingredients to a waste-free ethos, every cocktail at Sora is a conscious choice that spotlights Cambodian flavours through the mythical lens of Japanese storytelling.

The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award goes to Backdoor Bodega (No.64), Penang. The self-taught, passionate team behind this speakeasy – tucked inside streetwear store The Swagger Salon –serves a wide-ranging cocktail menu of classics, inventive signatures and zero-proof options. Expect cheeky touches such as a free cocktail with a lapel pin purchase, and playful use of regional ingredients like ulam, belacan, Penang soy sauce, and nutmeg fruit in unexpected, engaging combinations.

Pre-announced special award winners that accepted their accolades at the live awards ceremony include Barc in Kathmandu, winner of the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award, and Andrew Ho of Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou, winner of the Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award.

The Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 awards ceremony was streamed live and is available to view on the 50 Best YouTube channel here.

Voting Process

50 Best works with professional services consultancy Deloitte as its official independent adjudication partner to help protect the integrity and authenticity of the voting process and the resulting list of Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025. See more details on the Asia's 50 Best Bars voting process here.

Notes to the editor:

1 - 50 list:

For media centre access, please visit:
https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com

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About Asia's 50 Best Bars

Asia's 50 Best Bars is the first regional event of The World's 50 Best Bars brand, created in 2016 with the purpose of showcasing the best and most innovative talent in the drinks industry in this region. The annual ranking is based on the votes of the Asia's 50 Best Bars Academy, comprising the most knowledgeable and travelled members of the bar industry, drinks media and mixology experts from across Asia. The Academy spans dozens of cities across the continent, reflecting the relative development and importance of bar scenes in different locations and the diversity of the drinking scene in Asia. Asia's 50 Best Bars, The World's 50 Best Bars and North America's 50 Best Bars are owned and organised by William Reed, the group behind The World's 50 Best Restaurants, The World's 50 Best Hotels and The World's 50 Best Vineyards.

About the host destination partners: Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace

Wynn Macau is a luxury integrated resort in Macau with two iconic towers featuring a total of 1,010 spacious rooms, luxury retail, nine food and beverage outlets, two spas, a salon and a pool. The resort proudly boasts three distinct entertainment experiences, including the choreographed Performance Lake. For more information, visit press.wynnmacau.com.

Wynn Palace is Wynn's second luxury integrated resort. Located in the Cotai area, it features a 28-storey hotel with 1,706 exquisitely furnished rooms, versatile meeting facilities, renowned luxury retail, 14 food and beverage outlets, Macau's largest spa, a salon and a pool. The resort also features a variety of entertainment experiences, including the dazzling eight-acre Performance Lake, the unique SkyCab, an immersive entertainment centre, large-scale floral sculptures and an extensive collection of Western and Asian art displays. For more information, visit press.wynnpalace.com.

About the main sponsor: Perrier

For more than a century, PERRIER® has collaborated with some of the world's most influential major artists, including Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Bernard Villemot, and Jean-Gabriel Domergue, each of whom in their own way have demonstrated a certain artistic irreverence. With a history that began in 1863 in Vergèze, in the Gard region of France, the PERRIER® brand is now recognized worldwide thanks to its iconic green bottle. Appreciated in more than 140 countries, the brand is acclaimed for its natural mineral water combined with the power of its bubbles.

Our Partners:

• Wynn Resorts Macau - Official Host Partner
• Perrier - Official Water Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Asia
• Michter's - Official American Whiskey Partner; sponsor of Michter's Art of Hospitality Award & The Best Bar in Nepal
• Nikka Whisky - Official Whisky of the World Partner; sponsor of Nikka Highest Climber Award
• Ketel One - Official Vodka Partner; sponsor of Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award
• Three Cents - Official Mixers Partner; sponsor of Three Cents Best New Opening Award & The Best Bar in Indonesia
• Siete Misterios - Official Mezcal Partner; sponsor of Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award
• Noam - Official Beer Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Sri Lanka
• Disaronno - Official Italian Liqueur Partner; sponsor of Disaronno Highest New Entry Award
• Roku Gin - Official Gin Partner; sponsor of Roku Industry Icon Award
• Altos Tequila - Official Tequila Partner; sponsor of Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award
• Naked Malt - Official Scotch Whisky Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Taiwan
• Cointreau - Official Orange Liqueur Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Mainland China
• Rémy Martin - Official Cognac Partner; sponsor of Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award
• Campari - Official Bitters Partner; sponsor of Campari One To Watch Award
• Torres Brandy - Official Brandy Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Singapore
• Tia Maria - Official Coffee Liqueur Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Korea
• Matusalem - Official Rum Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in India & ceremonial scarves
• Mancino Vermouth - Official Vermouth Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Japan & ceremonial shakers
• Amaro Lucano - Official Amaro Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Thailand & ceremonial shakers
• Scrappy's Bitters - Official Cocktail Bitters Partner; sponsor of The Best Bar in Malaysia

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