Hong Kong's The Old Man named the best bar in Asia

The Old Man, Hong Kong, has claimed the no. 1 spot on the list of Asia's 50 Best Bars. Announced at Capitol Piazza on 09 May, the results saw China as one of the most represented countries this year, with 8 bars from Hong Kong, 3 from Shanghai, and for the first time this year, a bar — Hope & Sesame — from Guangzhou.

The Old Man, an Ernest Hemmingway-inspired bar, features drinks that are named after some of the writer's best-known works including The Sun Also Rises — which lends its name to a tipple of copra fat-washed applejack, gin infused with curry leaf, sweet vermouth sous-vide pandan leaves, and kaffir lime.

The bar has opened an offshoot in Singapore along Keong Saik Road, which is helmed by managing partner and founder Andrew Yap.

(Related: Best late-night bars in Singapore for chilling)

11 bars from Singapore also made the list — Manhattan bar at Regent Singapore, which was the best bar in 2018, slid a spot to No. 2.

Craft cocktail stalwart Jigger & Pony was one of the highest climbers, moving 33 places to reach No.9 on the list this year — perhaps due to the move to their new location at Amara hotel.

4 bars from Singapore are in the top 10 — with the locavore Native rising 4 spots to No.4 and Art-Deco gin/Champagne heaven Atlas dropping a spot to no.5.

(Related: Bars in Singapore: where to drink natural wine)

Other countries on the list also include China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand — the lattermost also has a strong showing this  year, with 7 bars from Bangkok making the list.

The Asia's 50 Best Bars list has been running since 2016, and is complied from a voting panel of over 200 industry leaders across Asia.

(Related: Best jazz bars in Singapore)

Here's the full list:

• The Old Man, Hong Kong

• Manhattan Bar, Singapore

• Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei

• Native, Singapore

• Atlas, Singapore

• High Five, Tokyo

• Speak Low, Shanghai

• The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok

• Jigger & Pony, Singapore

• Quinary, Hong Kong

• Tippling Club, Singapore

• Coa, Hong Kong [new]

• The SG Club, Tokyo [new]

• Charles H, Seoul

• Gibson, Singapore

• Sober Company, Shanghai

• Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo

• The Wise King, Hong Kong [new]

• Le Chamber, Seoul

• Backstage, Bangkok

• 28 HongKong Street, Singapore

• Operation Dagger, Singapore

• Bar Trench, Tokyo

• Aha Saloon, Taipei [new]

• D.Bespoke, Singapore

• Vesper, Bangkok

• Coley, Kuala Lumpur

• Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo

• Alice Cheongdam, Seoul

• Union Trading Company, Shanghai

• Tropic City, Bangkok [new]

• The Pontiac, Hong Kong

• Lobster Bar & Grill, Hong Kong

• Rabbit Hole, Bangkok [new]

• Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou [new]

• Stockton, Hong Kong

• The Curator, Manila

• Otto E Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong

• Union Brasserie Bakery & Bar, Jakarta

• Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur

• Employees Only, Singapore

• Smalls, Bangkok [new]

• Bar Mood, Taipei [new]

• Jungle Bird, Kuala Lumpur

• Draft Land, Taipei [new]

• The Other Room, Singapore

• Oto, Manila

• Teens of Thailand, Bangkok [new]

• Mixology Salon, Tokyo

• The Back Room, Manila