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Asia’s cocktail scene just picked up another major global nod. The Pinnacle Guide – an international recognition system for cocktail bars – has announced its latest round of PINNED venues, with bars across Singapore and Hong Kong earning spots in the 2026 guide.
Unlike traditional “best bars” rankings, The Pinnacle Guide works more like a Michelin-style system for cocktail destinations. Bars are assessed not just on drinks, but on the full guest experience, from hospitality and atmosphere to operations, sustainability and staff welfare. Venues are then awarded one, two or three PINs depending on how they perform across written applications and anonymous reviews.
This latest round is a particularly significant one. For the first time since 2024, new venues have achieved the guide’s elusive three-PIN status, while 46 new bars were recognised globally across all categories. That brings the worldwide total to 192 PINNED bars across 14 countries.
Asia also had a notably strong showing this year. Singapore has six recognised bars spanning grand hotel institutions and newer genre-bending cocktail spots. Meanwhile, Hong Kong more than doubled its presence in the guide, jumping from two to five PINNED bars overall.
Two of Hong Kong’s biggest additions – Argo and The Upper Room at Duddell's – both landed coveted two-PIN status, reinforcing their reputation as major players in the city’s cocktail scene. According to The Pinnacle Guide, Hong Kong now has the highest concentration of two-PIN bars relative to its total number of recognised venues anywhere in the guide.
Asian bars recognised in The Pinnacle Guide 2026
- Argo, Hong Kong
- Atlas, Singapore
- Cat Bite Club, Singapore
- Fura, Singapore
- Manhattan, Singapore
- Night Hawk, Singapore
- Origin Bar, Singapore
- Quinary, Hong Kong
- The Aubrey, Hong Kong
- The Diplomat, Hong Kong
- The Upper Room at Duddell's, Hong Kong
For the full global list, visit The Pinnacle Guide.