The best bars in Asia

What it is An Italian-themed bar ranked the #1 bar in Asia by 50 Best within a year of opening. 

Why we love it Hong Kong has no shortage of spectacular cocktail bars to charm the glitterati, and Bar Leone is its latest. This special spot offers a two-pronged approach, charming guests with lip-smacking Italian cocktails paired with some of the world’s most delicious bar snacks. Order a Negroni with fries Arrabbiata or try something off its ever-changing seasonal cocktail menu. 

Time Out tip Whatever you do, try the smoked olives and mortadella sandwich; oh hell, just order the whole menu.

What it is An open-air beachside bar in Hiriketiya, with a laidback atmosphere defined by swaying palm trees and sunset evenings. 

Why we love it Arguably Sri Lanka’s best place to drink, Smoke & Bitters’ tiki-inspired tipples pair perfectly with the food menu, highlighting smoked meats. Comprising local liquors like arrack, combined with ingredients like smoked wild bee honey, Ceylon vanilla and local pineapple, cocktails here are  a true sip of Sri Lanka.

Time Out tip Given its reputation, this place is always packed, so book well in advance for a seat under the stars.

What it is Bangkok meets Buenos Aires at this sultry and swish cocktail bar.

Why we love it Located inside the stunning Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, it’s ranked #19 in this year’s 50 Best. Awards aside, the team here is known for serving up a killer Negroni flight, fun bottled cocktails, and cocktails with South American flavours. So, make a reservation, strap on some heels and perch yourself at the bar with a martini while tango music plays.

Time Out tip Have a chat with the amazingly hospitable bartenders – you might get a cocktail tailored just for you. 

What is it A post-modern cocktail bar in Bukit Damansara serving up fun, inventive flavours.

Why we love it The nods to futurist architecture are clear: a gleaming, copper-clad pathway opens up to a stone bar lit by the glow of blue, with a “chemistry lab” at its heart. It's unexpected, almost akin to a spaceship cantina, but intimate and inviting. Grab a stool by the bar or get cosy on the banquettes. To drink, try Dusun 2.0 a blend of tuak (traditional rice wine from Sarawak), tempoyak (fermented durian), and jackfruit soy milk. Expect a kick from bird's eye chilli distillate and tequila. It’s Malaysia in a cocktail. 

Time Out tip Make this your first stop on a best-of-Bukit Damansara bar tour, which includes JungleBird, Rakh, and Here & Now.

What it is An ode to 1920s Art Deco glamour and glitter, this gin bar is next-level grand. 

Why we love it Stepping inside ATLAS feels like stepping into another century. Imagine 8-metre hand-painted ceilings, ornate ironwork everywhere, and sexy burgundy velvet booths. Now add Asia’s largest collection of gins and voilà; you’ve got Singapore’s swankiest bar. Start off with one of their classic G&Ts, then venture into cocktails draped in gold leaf.

Time Out tip There is a relatively strict dress code here, so read up or risk getting turned away. 

What it is A classy bar near Ginza station where fresh, seasonal fruits are the star. 

Why we love it On the 7th floor of an unassuming building in Ginza, Bar Orchard is like Willy Wonka’s laboratory, but for booze. There are no menus here; instead, you pick a fresh fruit or vegetable from a giant bowl, and the lovely couple behind the bar creates a bespoke cocktail just for you. As if the cocktail creations weren’t innovative enough, the vessels they come in add even more whimsy to the evening. Drinks may be served in a little pink trash can, an inflated flamingo, or a ceramic turkey drumstick. 

Time Out tip There’s a 1000 yen cover charge, but you’ll have such a good time here that it will hardly matter. 

What it is A true speakeasy – you’ll need a map and a microscope to find this secret bar. 

Why we love it Hidden down an alley and inside another bar, Hybrid Saigon is cosy and calming; however, its drinks are anything but. Innovative and slightly chaotic, its cocktail menu is a masterclass in wacky flavours. Try the Black Tomato with white chocolate, tomato, mint, and Bacardi or the Maestro Mushroom with mushrooms, honey, chicken fat, and whisky. Hybrid is a place where being adventurous pays off and gets you drunk.

Time Out tip Don’t be put off by the construction-filled alley on the way to the bar – what you find at the end of it is worth the trek. 

What it is A buzzing bar in Sudirman that’s been upping Jakarta’s cocktail scene since 2021. 

Why we love it The Cocktail Club is reminiscent of an old-school gentleman’s club. Leather chairs, billiard table lights, handmade tiles, and stained-glass windows decorate the space. More importantly, cocktails are grouped so you know exactly who among the expert bar staff is the mixologist. Sample the Unjung Pandan, made with kaffir lime gin, housemade pandan liquor, absinthe and housemade coconut syrup from Kiki Moka. Or try the Surf & Turf Martini made with beef seasoning distillate, lobster bisque distillate, vermouth and absinthe by Erik Opung. 

Time Out tip You really can’t go wrong with whichever bartender’s elixir you choose. 

What is it Our favourite bar in Hanoi, inspired by the great museums of Europe. 

Why we love it Down an alleyway off Hanoi’s frenetic Hang Ma street, entering The Haflington through a neighbour’s drying laundry and up a creaking staircase feels like stumbling on a lock-in at the Natural History Museum. Open since 2021, the bar already feels timeless, with its dark brown leather, burnished mahogany, and random taxidermy, complete with a huge dinosaur skeleton hanging above the bar. 

If there’s one drink you have to try, it’s The ‘Death’, which feels fitting sipped in the shadow of a skeleton. Featuring mango leaf-infused sherry, mezcal and a subtle thrum of cardamom, it’s short, smoky, and assertive, with a pleasing bitterness that lingers. 

Time Out tip Visit during Hanoi's golden hour, at around 5pm. Sit at the long central bar under the dinosaur, as sunlight filters through the glass-panelled ceiling and throws dusty light over museum-inspired curiosities. 

What is it The Blind Pig is Manila’s original speakeasy, as hidden as it is adored. It’s located in an office building in Legazpi, with a small braille sign indicating the entrance.

Why we love it Renowned for its crafted cocktails and top-level service, this den of cool deliberately veers away from sensational marketing, simply priding itself on having Manila’s finest quality drinks. Soft lighting, dark leather seats, brickwork, and glass decor combine to promote an intimate ambience. As for drinks, the aptly named Smokey Old Bastard has a perfect blend of whisky, maple syrup, Peychaud’s bitters, and orange smoke.     

Time Out tip Savour the visit here as your nightcap. The bar is open every day from 6pm to 2am, and once you’re in, you can stay as long as you like.