All bars on Asia's 50 Best Bars list on stage

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:

  1. The Old Man, Hong Kong
  2. Manhattan Bar, Singapore
  3. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
  4. Native, Singapore
  5. Atlas, Singapore
  6. High Five, Tokyo
  7. Speak Low, Shanghai
  8. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
  9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
  10. Quinary, Hong Kong
  11. Tippling Club, Singapore
  12. Coa, Hong Kong [new]
  13. The SG Club, Tokyo [new]
  14. Charles H, Seoul
  15. Gibson, Singapore
  16. Sober Company, Shanghai
  17. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
  18. The Wise King, Hong Kong [new]
  19. Le Chamber, Seoul
  20. Backstage, Bangkok
  21. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
  22. Operation Dagger, Singapore
  23. Bar Trench, Tokyo
  24. Aha Saloon, Taipei [new]
  25. D.Bespoke, Singapore
  26. Vesper, Bangkok
  27. Coley, Kuala Lumpur
  28. Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo
  29. Alice Cheongdam, Seoul
  30. Union Trading Company, Shanghai
  31. Tropic City, Bangkok [new]
  32. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
  33. Lobster Bar & Grill, Hong Kong
  34. Rabbit Hole, Bangkok [new]
  35. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou [new]
  36. Stockton, Hong Kong
  37. The Curator, Manila
  38. Otto E Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
  39. Union Brasserie Bakery & Bar, Jakarta
  40. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur
  41. Employees Only, Singapore
  42. Smalls, Bangkok [new]
  43. Bar Mood, Taipei [new]
  44. Jungle Bird, Kuala Lumpur
  45. Draft Land, Taipei [new]
  46. The Other Room, Singapore
  47. Oto, Manila
  48. Teens of Thailand, Bangkok [new]
  49. Mixology Salon, Tokyo
  50. The Back Room, Manila