Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025: While Hong Kong’s Bar Leone is ranked as the ‘Best Bar in Asia’ for the second consecutive years, sponsored by Perrier, no less than 20 new bars have also been added to the ranking – proving that the competition is increasing! The list, which now includes bars from 20 destinations, was announced at an awards ceremony, held in Macau, in collaboration with destination partners Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace.
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.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 – Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award
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.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 – Awards Ceremony – Ketel One awards
Within Happy Hour Asia’s coverage area Bangkok has seven bars on the list, as Bar Us – climbing 17 places – ranks No.4 and is named 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.
A Bangkok newcomer to the list, Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, a nature-inspired bar led by Thai cocktail veteran Supawit ‘Palm’ Muttarattana, debuts at an impressive No.5 while clinching 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.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 No.1, Bar Leone
Bangkok’s Vesper (No.29) won the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award, while Sora (No.65) in Phnom Penh took home the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award.
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. Industry stalwart Jay Khan of Hong Kong was crowned Roku Industry Icon.
Five bars from Singapore feature on the list, leading with Jigger & Pony. The other Singapore bars are: 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.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 – Bartenders’ Feast
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.
The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award went 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. Expectcheeky 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.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 – Roku Industry Icon Award
