The list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 was announced at a live ceremony in Hong Kong and features bars from 17 cities across the region.
Climbing up seven spots to No.3 is BKK Social Club, which is named The Best Bar in Thailand. Tropic City came in at No.6, Vesper at No. 12 and Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, which debuted at No. 22, is named the London Essence Best New Opening.
The list features 13 new entries and bars. Coa, Hong Kong, has achieved the remarkable feat of holding onto the No.1 spot for three consecutive years while also being awarded The Best Bar in Asia and The Best Bar in Hong Kong. Established in 2017 by bartender-owner Jay Khan, the bar takes its name from the agave harvesting tool and showcases a vast collection of more than 200 bottles of tequila, mezcal and other handcrafted Mexican spirits like raicilla, bacanora, sotol and charanda. Khan, an industry veteran with more than 15 years of experience, was voted Bartenders' Bartender at Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020. Coa made its debut on the list in 2019, securing the Highest New Entry Award at No.12 and has been steadily rising in popularity to claim the coveted top spot which it has been holding onto steadfastly.
At No.2 is Jigger & Pony, Singapore, which is also The Best Bar in Singapore for the third year running. This year, it has also been crowned the Rémy Martin Legend of the List. Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich comes in at No.4, moving up a spot from last year’s No.5 and taking the title of The Best Bar in Japan. A meteoric rise of 43 spots puts Seoul’s Zest at No.5 and with this, it wins both the Nikka Highest Climber Award, as well as The Best Bar in Korea.
Singapore leads with 11 bars on the list, with Jigger & Pony also clinching the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award. Analogue Initiative in Singapore takes the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. Night Hawk in Singapore receives the Campari One To Watch Award.
Virtù, Tokyo wins Disaronno Highest New Entry. Tokyo’s Hiroyasu Kayama, bartender-owner of Bar Benfiddich, is crowned Roku Industry Icon.
Zest in Seoul is named Nikka Highest Climber after rising 43 places up the rankings. The Cocktail Club, Jakarta takes the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award.
Visit worlds50bestbars.com/asia for the complete list.
