COA Bar Tops List for 2023 Asia's 50 Best Bars Awards, Held in HK

Set to dazzle discerning drinkers by celebrating the top names in Asia's drinks industry, the 21st edition of Asia's 50 Best Bars Awards was held on July 18 at Rosewood Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The awards ceremony marks the return of a large-scale gathering of Asia's bar community, boasting a guest list of considerable length that hasn't been matched since 2019.

The list of award winners has been compiled through votes from Asia's 50 Best Bars Academy, comprising a group of 260 members. The drinks experts on the panel come from all walks of the industry, including renowned bartenders and educators, drinks writers, bar owners and managers, as well as mixologists from all over Asia.

Awarded to a bar currently sitting outside the Top 50 list, that shows potential to swoop in and land a spot soon, the Campari One to Watch Award is awarded to Singapore's Night Hawk.

Presenting the Best Bar in Sri Lanka, an award bestowed by Mancino Vermouth, Smoke & Bitters takes home the accolade, ranking 40th. Hope & Sesame of Guangzhou takes home the Best Bar in Mainland China Award, ranking 39th on the list.

Ranked at number 38, presented by Matusalem Rum, doubles up as the Best Bar in Malaysia, and is awarded to Bar Trigona of Kuala Lumpur. The Best Bar in the Philippines Award, sponsored by Scrappy's Bitters, is presented to the bar ranked 34, Manila's The Curator.

The Ketel One Sustainable Award, given to highlight industry leaders in sustainable practice, was awarded to the Analogue Initiative of Singapore.

The winner of the Alto's Bartender's Bartender Award is Hong Kong's Beckalay Franks, owner and founder of The Pontiac Bar in Central.

A bar that attains the highest ranking on Asia's 50 Best Bars list within the first 18 months of opening is presented with the London Essence Best New Opening Award. This year, the award is given to Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar in Bangkok, which also ranked 22nd on the list.

The Disaronno Highest New Entry Award goes to the bar that ranks highest upon its first appearance on the lineup. This year, the accolade is awarded to Tokyo's Virtù, ranked 20th on Asia's 50 Best lists overall.

As for the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Award, the prize was won by the bar ranked 19, as well as the Best Bar in Indonesia, Jakarta's The Cocktail Club.

Presented by Amaro Lucano, the Best Bar in India goes to the bar ranked 19, Sidecar of New Delhi.

Presented to an individual who has shown innovation and leadership in the bar and drinks industry, the prestigious Roku Industry Icon Award was won by Japan's homegrown pioneer, Hiroyasu Kayama.

Ranked at number 11 on the list and doubling up as the best bar in Taiwan is Taipei's Indulge Experimental Bistro.

New entrants to Asia's 50 Best Bar roster include Penrose (Kuala Lumpur, No. 50), SOKO (Seoul, No. 46), The Public House (Taipei, No. 43), Southside Parlor (Seoul, No. 37), The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai, No. 35), Mostly Harmless (Hong Kong, No. 33), Stay Gold Flamingo (Singapore, No. 32), and PANTJA (Jakarta, No. 29).

The winner of the Alto's Bartender's Bartender Award is Hong Kong's Beckalay Franks, owner and founder of The Pontiac Bar in Central.

A bar that attains the highest ranking on Asia's 50 Best Bars list within the first 18 months of opening is presented with the London Essence Best New Opening Award. This year, the award is given to Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar in Bangkok, which also ranked 22nd on the list.

The Disaronno Highest New Entry Award goes to the bar that ranks highest upon its first appearance on the lineup. This year, the accolade is awarded to Tokyo's Virtù, ranked 20th on Asia's 50 Best lists overall.

As for the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Award, the prize was won by the bar ranked 19, as well as the Best Bar in Indonesia, Jakarta's The Cocktail Club.

Presented by Amaro Lucano, the Best Bar in India goes to the bar ranked 19, Sidecar of New Delhi.

Presented to an individual who has shown innovation and leadership in the bar and drinks industry, the prestigious Roku Industry Icon Award was won by Japan's homegrown pioneer, Hiroyasu Kayama.

Ranked at number 11 on the list and doubling up as the best bar in Taiwan is Taipei's Indulge Experimental Bistro.

New entrants to Asia's 50 Best Bar roster include Penrose (Kuala Lumpur, No. 50), SOKO (Seoul, No. 46), The Public House (Taipei, No. 43), Southside Parlor (Seoul, No. 37), The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai, No. 35), Mostly Harmless (Hong Kong, No. 33), Stay Gold Flamingo (Singapore, No. 32), and PANTJA (Jakarta, No. 29).

Top 10: Winners of the 2023 Asia's 50 Best Bars Awards

1. Coa, Hong Kong (also awarded the Best Bar in Hong Kong Award)
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore (also awarded the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award and the Best Bar in Singapore Award)
3. BKK Social Club, Bangkok (also awarded the Best Bar in Thailand, sponsored by Tia Maria)
4. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo (also awarded the Best Bar in Japan Award presented by Torres Brandy)
5. Zest, Seoul (also awarded Nikka Highest Climber Award and The Best Bar in Korea Award)
6. Tropic City, Bangkok
7. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
8. ARGO, Hong Kong
9. DarkSide, Hong Kong
10. Sago House, Singapore (also awarded Michter's Art of Hospitality Award)