If there ever was a reason to visit Hong Kong, this would be it. In celebration of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 awards that will be announced on July 16 in Hong Kong, 50 Best will bring together 24 bartenders to present a series of themed cocktail experiences.
The “50 Best Signature Sessions” will take place from July 13-18 and pair Hong Kong’s top talents with visiting international bartenders for a series of one-time-only cocktail events. Sip your way through menus curated by some of the world’s most acclaimed bar teams, including those from Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, Sips in Barcelona, Himkok in Oslo and Speak Low in Shanghai, alongside five iconic Hong Kong venues.
The collaboration events have an open-door policy and no reservations are required (with the exception of The Aubrey’s omakase). Featuring more than 24 bartenders from 14 bars around the world, the "50 Best Signature Sessions" lands in Hong Kong for the first. Hong Kong bars Darkside and Coa join forces for five, once-in-a-lifetime collaborative cocktail experiences.
Darkside x XX x Speak Low
When: 7pm, July 13 at Darkside; 8pm at XX
What: Secret speakeasies
Where: Rosewood Hong Kong
Penicillin x Zest x Himkok
When: Afternoon, July 14
What: Closed loop cocktails
Where: L/G Amber Lodge
Quinary x SubAstor x Nutmeg & Clove
When: 2-5pm, July 15
What: Liquid lunch
Where: 56-58 Hollywood Road
Coa x Sips x Handshake Speakeasy
When: 3-6pm, July 15
What: Tres números unos
Where: Shop A, LG/F Wah Shin House
The Aubrey x The Bombay Canteen
When: 5-7pm, July 18; 5-7pm omakase; and 6-10pm izakaya
What: Indian omakase plus izakaya
Where: 5 Connaught Road
Meanwhile, Leading Nation Hospitality will kick off an action-packed two days of international guest bar shifts at its iconic venues, Cardinal Point and The Diplomat, on July 14-15, masterminded by group beverage director John Nugent. These highly anticipated events will host some of the world’s best bars, including Origin Bar at Shangri-La Singapore, Stay Gold Flamingo, Atlas, Side Hustle at NoMad London and Handshake Speakeasy.
Cardinal Point x Origin Bar x Stay Gold Flamingo x Atlas
When: 3pm-6pm, July 14
What: Lion City In Hong Kong
Where: Forty-five in Landmark
The Diplomat x Side Hustle
When: 8-11pm, July 14
What: Sunday disco
Where: Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St
The Diplomat x Handshake Speakeasy
When: 9pm-12am, July 15
What: Fiesta Nnocturna
Where: Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St
