Nothing beats a city that’s hosting The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony and announcing the winner being one of the city’s own.
On Oct. 8, 2025, Hong Kong hosted The World’s 50 Best Bars awards at the Kai TakCruise Terminal, the bar industry’s most prestigious event. For only the second time in history, the ceremony was held in Asia, and in a poetic twist, the host city’s ownBar Leone takes the #1 spot, earning the award as The World’s Best Bar 2025.
It’s a celebratory moment for the entire region, not just Hong Kong, as 11 Asian bars earn spots on this year’s list.
The Rise of Bar Leone
Founded in 2023 by Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone is a tribute to Roman cocktail popolari, with simple yet soulful drinks served with warmth. Its iconic, monthly rotating Google Docs menu reflects Antinori’s mission to make mixology accessible to all. The bar’s rapid rise, from debuting at #2 globally in 2024 to claiming #1 this year, marks a proud milestone for Asia’s cocktail scene.
On the secret behind the bar’s success, Antinori credited the team’s dedication: “It's about, every day, working hard, working on quality, and trying to improve. On a daily basis, the secret, I would say, is that we have some amazing people working with us and as a team.”
“I think we are living in times where consumers are seeking comfort. And we happened to open a bar that is very simple. But I believe that what truly made us stand out is this idea of being very approachable. We are a part of where you can come multiple times through the rest of the week,” added Antinori.
Global Rankings: Top 5 Bars of 2025
The top five bars reflect a global blend of innovation and heritage:
- Bar Leone, Hong Kong (#1)
- Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City (#2)
- Sips, Barcelona (#3)
- Paradiso, Barcelona (#4)
- Tayēr + Elementary, London (#5)
From Mexico City’s precision-driven speakeasies to Barcelona’s design-forward cocktail labs, the global top reflects a shift toward storytelling and immersive hospitality.
Asia’s Rising Stars
Asia claimed 11 spots on the list, with standout entries from:
- Bangkok: Bar Us (#15), BKK Social Club (#49)
- Guangzhou: Hope & Sesame (#29)
- Hong Kong: Bar Leone (#1), Coa (#38)
- Seoul: Zest (#16)
- Singapore: Jigger & Pony (#9), Nutmeg & Clove (#50)
- Tokyo: Bar Benfiddich (#18), Virtù (#45), The Bellwood (#48)
- Penang: Backdoor Bodega, winner of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award
Zest in Seoul also earned the Campari One To Watch Award, while Uno Jang of Jigger & Pony was named Altos Bartenders’ Bartender, further cementing Asia’s influence on the global stage.
Individual Accolades & Design Excellence
The awards celebrated not just bars, but the people and philosophies behind them:
- Simone Caporale (Sips, Barcelona) received the Roku Industry Icon Award
- Lady Bee (Lima) won the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award
- Mirror Bar (Bratislava) took home the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award
- Moebius Milano rose 31 spots to #7, earning the Nikka Highest Climber Award
- Sip & Guzzle (New York) was named Three Cents Best New Opening
Design also took center stage, with Tigra + DiscoPantera in Sydney winning the Best Bar Design Award for its dual-concept space inspired by Barcelona’s laneways and 1970s New York glamour.
Best Bars by Region
Champions by regions are as follows:
- Africa: Hero Bar, Nairobi
- Asia: Bar Leone, Hong Kong
- Australasia: Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
- Europe: Sips, Barcelona
- Middle East: Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
- North America: Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
- South America: Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
With 29 cities represented and eight new entries, including first-time appearances from Tirana, Bratislava, and Guangzhou, the 2025 list reflects a truly global shift in cocktail culture.
Explore the full list and awards via the awards’ official website and follow their Instagram for more information. Meanwhile, make sure you explore the best bar of 2025 on their website and Instagram before planning a visit!
