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.
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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.
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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