Aight, it's that time of the year again. Award season for the dens that can best impress with how they inebriate you. Sponsored by Perrier, the event was hosted in Hong Kong and listed bars from 18 cities across Asia, featuring 15 new entries.
Now, we're gonna dedicate two paragraphs to Bar Leone, not only for topping the list, but because it makes history for being the first time a new entrant does so. Thus also gaining the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award (duh), the one-year-old Central Hong Kong bar is all about "revived classics made with low-intervention, seasonal approach, and is complemented by minimalist garnishes".
Bar Leone is founded by Lorenzo Antinori from Argo and other top bars in Seoul and London not named. The neighbourhood bar carries the Italian ethos ‘cocktail popolari’ or ‘cocktails for the people’, which just means cocktails—besides being inspired by traditional Roman bars—are approachable and the space is fun? I guess? I haven't been there.
No.2: Seoul's low-waste bar Zest, therefore The Best Bar in Korea.
No.3: Homegrown Jigger & Pony, The Best Bar in Singapore for five consecutive years.
No.4: Hong Kong's Coa, last year's winner and first ever to achieve top dog thrice.
No.5: Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich, hence The Best Bar in Japan.
In true kiasu spirit, Singapore clinches the highest number of spots with 11 bars.
Despite being second-last on the list, Atlas was honoured the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award for *consistency* over close to a decade of operations. The signature 15m gin tower of 900 labels and stunning art deco design also earned it the new accolade Bareksten Best Bar Design Award in Asia.
Fura wins the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award for its commitment to low-carbon footprint cocktails and circular ethos; exclusively using local ingredients in dedication to sustainable and low-waste practices.
For more information, visit Asia's 50 Best.
