Hong Kong Bartenders Name Penicillin the City's Best Bar
Penicillin has been named the top bar in The Bartender's Edit Hong Kong Vol. 2, a bartender-led ranking that spotlights the city's best drinking destinations based on recommendations from industry insiders.
The Hong Kong list, as part of The Bartender's Edit series for 2026, ranks 20 bars across the city. Gokan places second, Bar Leone comes third, The Diplomat holds the fourth place, and The Savory Project rounds out of the top five.
Their concept is simple: ask bartenders where they actually like to drink. As the project puts it, there is "no better way to know where's good than by asking your friendly local bartender." The list also covers cities including London, Singapore, Milan, Edinburgh, and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's cocktail scene is closely watched and the ranking brings together internationally recognized names, neighborhood favorites, hotel bars, and concepts that have earned the approval of the people behind the stick.
The Diplomat, which places fourth overall, receives two additional nods in the special categories. Mo from The Diplomat was named most recommended bartender, while the bar's burger is dubbed the best bar food. Sugar King also received recognition for their Daiquiri El Cáscara — the most recommended cocktail.
The list continues with Sugar King at No. 6, Orchard at No. 7, Tell Camellia at No. 8, Socio at No. 9, and Coa at No. 10.
While the second half of the ranking includes The Old Man at No. 11, Honky Tonks Tavern at No. 12, Dead Poets at No. 13, Bourke's at No. 14, Lockdown at No. 15, Montana at No. 16, Bar Code at No. 17, Apothecary at No. 18, Mius at No. 19, and Bar Mind at No. 20.
For locals and tourists in search for a ready-made bar crawl list, there's no better place to turn to. Hong Kong's current drinking culture is defined by a mix of ambitious concepts, award-winning bars, and reliable industry haunts — a wide range between technical cocktail programs and casual, late-night energy stops after a shift.
Stay tuned to their future lists by following The Bartender's Edit on Instagram.
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