The Top 50 Bars in Asia for 2023 Were Just Unveiled So Add These to Your Wish List
From Taipei to Tokyo, here are the continent's best boozers to bookmark for your next getaway.
A superstar Hong Kong bar dedicated to mezcal and tequila has just been named the number one bar in Asia for 2023 at the annual '50 Best' awards which took place in Hong Kong overnight.
The victorious establishment COA (pictured above) located in Central Hong Kong and helmed by acclaimed bartender-owner Jay Khan, has retained the number one spot on the list for the third consecutive year, demonstrating that excellence and consistency can go hand-in-hand — even when tequila is heavily involved.
COA's Head of Operations Ajit Gurung and Owner Jay Khan
The top 50 features bars from 17 cities across Asia from Taipei to Tokyo, providing ample inspiration for destination drinking on your next trip to the continent.
The bars that made the top five spanned five different countries. At #2 was perennial favourite Jigger & Pony in Singapore — inarguably one of the most influential businesses in getting the Asian bar scene on the map. At #3 is the glitzy BKK Social Club located at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok. Then at #4 is Tokyo favourite Bar Benfiddich, a delightfully oddball 14-seater bar in the hectic Shinjuku district that champions farm-to-bar cocktails. And rounding out the top five, at #5 is the beautifully-designed Seoul venue Zest, which also took out the Highest Climber Award for 2023 after jumping an astounding 43 positions from last year's 50 Best list.
Explore the full list below and start making notes for your next getaway.
Inside Tokyo's tiny Bar Benfiddich
Asia's 50 Best Bars 2023
1. Coa, Hong Kong
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
3. BKK Social Club, Bangkok
4. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
5. Zest, Seoul
6. Tropic City, Bangkok
7. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
8. Argo, Hong Kong
9. Darkside, Hong Kong
10. Sago House, Singapore
11. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
12. Vesper, Bangkok
13. Cham Bar, Seoul
14. The SG Club, Tokyo
15. Analogue Initiative, Singapore
16. Republic, Singapore
17. The Aubrey, Hong Kong
18. Sidecar, New Delhi
19. The Cocktail Club, Jakarta
20. Virtù, Tokyo (winner of the Highest New Entry Award)
21. Manhattan, Singapore
22. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok
23. Lamp Bar, Nara
24. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
25. Le Chamber, Seoul
26. Penicillin, Hong Kong
27. Atlas, Singapore
28. Alice, Seoul
29. Pantja, Jakarta
30. Employees Only, Singapore
31. Quinary, Hong Kong
32. Stay Gold Flamingo, Singapore
33. Mostly Harmless, Hong Kong
34. The Curator, Manila
35. The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai
36. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur
37. Southside Parlor, Seoul
38. Copitas, Bengaluru
39. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
40. Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya
41. Vender, Taichung
42. Native, Singapore
43. The Public House, Taipei
44. Bee's Knees, Kyoto
45. High Five, Tokyo
46. Soko, Seoul
47. The Old Man, Hong Kong
48. The Living Room, Mumbai
49. The Bellwood, Tokyo
50. Penrose Kuala, Lumpur
Main image: COA
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