The 10 edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, sponsored by Perrier, was announced in a live awards ceremony at Wynn Palace on 15 July 2025, celebrating the excellence of the Asian’s bar industry from exceptional cocktail craftsmanship to tipple talents.
Bar Leone has made the impressive feat at the coveted top spot, clinching both The Best Bar in Asia and The Best Bar in Hong Kong titles for the second consecutive year. Founded by Lorenzo Antinori, this bar in Hong Kong captivates the public with simple and vibrant Italian-style cocktails.
Seoul’s Zest came second, and the regular Jigger&Pony in Singapore snagged up the third spot.
This year’s list has 20 regions around Asia represented, with Bangkok leading the charge with seven entries, including Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, a new entrant debuted at an impressive No.5 while winning the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award. The other bars were BKK Social Club (No. 19), Vesper (No.29), and Opium (No. 43).
Japan boasted six entries solidifying its place as a prominent destination for cocktail aficionados. Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo placed at No.9, and the newcomer at No.36 was Punch Room Tokyo at The Tokyo Edition, Ginza. Lamp Bar from Nara made an re-entry at No.46, while the new entry Bar Libre where the seasonally-driven menu incorporates liquid nitrogen, smoking guns and barrel-aged drinks emerged at No.49.
A total of 13 bars from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese Mainland made the list. Hong Kong grabbed six spots including Argo (No.11), Coa (No.17), Penicillin (No.27), The Savory Project (No.32), and the newcomer Gokan (No.33). In the Chinese Mainland, Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame climbed seven places to No.7, earning the title of The Best Bar in Mainland of China for the third consecutive year. CMYK, the high-energy, multi-room bar built inside an old residential building in Changsha, soared 27 spots to No.16. MO Bar Shenzhen made a stunning debut at No.21.
Other destinations like Singapore, India, Seoul, Malaysia and Indonesia were expectedly well-represented in the top 50 ranking. Both Singapore and India claimed five spots respectively, and Seoul, Malaysia and Indonesia were represented by four bars each on the list.
Some surprises as well, with 20 new entries being featured in the list, like Bangkok’s G.O.D (No.26), To Infinity & Beyond (No.41) from Taipei, Soka (No.28) in Bengaluru.
Special awards were also given out during the ceremony. Hanoi’s Workshop14 (No.83 on the extended 51-100 list) won The Campari One to Watch, which is honored to the bar with a potential to rise. Industry stalwart Jay Khan of Hong Kong and Shanghai’s Coa (No.17 and No.85) has been named Roku Industry Icon. Bangkok’s Vesper (No.29) was recognized for the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award, while Messenger Service (No.90) took 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.
Jakarta’s Modernhaus (No.12) was awarded with the Three Cents Best New Opening Award. Sora in Phnom Penh (No.65 on the extended 51-100 list) was the recipient of the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award for its commitment to zero-waste initiative. The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award went to Backdoor Bodega (No.64) in Penang. Kathmandu’s Barc was the winner of Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, and Andrew Ho of Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou was crowned Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.
The ceremony also included awards for Best in each country:
- The Best Bar in Singapore: Jigger & Pony
- The Best Bar in Hong Kong: Bar Leone
- The Best Bar in Bangkok: Bar Us
- The Best Bar in Japan: Bar Benfiddich
- The Best Bar in Korea: Zest
- The Best Bar in Taiwan: Vender
- The Best Bar in India: Lair
- The Best Bar in Indonesia: Modernhaus
- The Best Bar in Malaysia: Penrose
- The Best Bar in Sri Lanka: Smoke & Bitters
- The Best Bar in Mainland of China: Hope & Sesame
Organized by William Reed, The Asia’s 50 Best Bars ranking is compiled through anonymous votes by a gender-balanced group of industry educators, bartenders, bar owners and cocktail aficionados.
See the full list of awarded bars below:
