China shines on inaugural list which Singapore and HK dominate.
The results are out in Drinks International’s first ever Asia’s 50 Best Bars list and China has put in a strong showing with four bars in the top 50. Shanghai’s Speak Low is named as the second best bar in the region, runner-up to Singapore standard-bearer 28 Hong Kong Street. Elsewhere, Lu Yao’s Union Trading Company was ninth, Beijing stand-out Janes & Hooch was 18th on the list and Constellation came in at 42.
As expected, the inaugural list was dominated by regional cocktail hubs Singapore and Hong Kong, which both had nine bars each on the list, with Tokyo’s eight following close behind. More surprising was Bangkok’s impressive haul of six, and cocktail newcomer Seoul, which entered the ranking with four bars. Taipei also contributed four.
On an individual level, Hong Kong operator Antonio Lai, Singapore- and Hong Kong-based bar specialists Proof & Company, and Singapore’s Jigger & Pony group will be especially pleased with how many of their venues made it onto the top 50. The list, which was decided by votes cast by the industry professionals based in Asia, follows in full below.
1. 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore
2. Speak Low, Shanghai
3. High Five，Tokyo
4. Lobster Bar & Grill，Hong Kong
5. Manhattan，Singapore
6. Quinary，Hong Kong
7. Operation Dagger，Singapore
8. Jigger & Pony，Singapore
9. Union Trading Company，Shanghai
10. Omakese & Appreciate，Kuala Lumpur
11. Alice，Seoul
12. Tippling Club，Singapore
13. D Bespoke，Singapore
14. ABV，Manila
15. Alchemy，Taipei
16. The Curator，Manila
17. Vesper，Bangkok
18. Janes & Hooch, Beijing
19. The Pontiac，Hong Kong
20. Woo Taipei，Taipei
21. Ben Fiddich，Tokyo
22. Gibson，Singapore
23. TCRC，Tainan
24. Charles H，Seoul
25. Le Chamber，Seoul
26. Q&A，Bangkok
27. Teens of Thailand，Bangkok
28. Royal Bar，Tokyo
29. Honi Honi，Hong Kong
30. Bar Trench，Tokyo
31. Stockton，Hong Kong
32. Loewy，Jakarta
33. Star Bar，Tokyo
34. Bamboo Bar，Bangkok
35. Union Brasserie Bakery & Bar，Jakarta
36. Codename Mixology Asakasa，Tokyo
37. Bar Orchard，Tokyo
38. Mixology Laboratory，Tokyo
39. Zuma，Hong Kong
40. Ounce，Taipei
41. Maggie Choo’s，Bangkok
42. Constellation 1，Shanghai
43. Antidote，Singapore
44. Ori-Gin，Hong Kong
45. The Envoy，Hong Kong
46. R&D Cocktail Lab，Taipei
47. Mahalo Tiki Lounge，Hong Kong
48. Sugarhall，Singapore
49. D Still，Seoul
50. Hyde & Seek Gastro Bar，Bangkok
