2025 is a special one for alcohol-lovers and barhoppers, because the most anticipated bar event of the year – The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony – will be held in Hong Kong for the first time. This is only the second time that this prestigious event has ever been hosted in Asia, and it means that the crème de la crème of bar professionals from all over the globe will be descending upon Hong Kong and taking over bars across the city to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship ahead of the actual awards ceremony on October 8. Here are all the bar guest shifts to mark on your calendar!
October 4
Honky Tonks Tavern
From 5 to 9pm, find a transcontinental takeover at Honky Tonks, where Denver’s Yacht Club will serve up crowd-pleasers from 5 to 7pm, followed by Buenos Aires’ Tres Mono – which won seventh place in The World’s 50 Best Bars, and is The Best Bar in South America 2024 – from 7pm onwards. This is a walk-in-only event with limited drink portions, so arrive early – the doors open at 2pm.
Call Me Al
One of our favourite neighbourhood watering holes is hosting a 50 Best Signature Session that unites top bartenders and venues from across the World’s 50 Best lists, specially spotlighting the 50 Best Bars Scholarship winners. Drew Fleming, Apoorva Kohli, and Calliope Draper will be behind the stick from 9.30pm until late, with drinks going for $110 each.
October 5
Coa
From 2 to 3.30pm, visit Coa for an exclusive tasting session of Montelobos mezcal with renowned expert Dr Iván Saldaña. If you’d like to learn more about agave spirits instead of just quaffing it, pop in earlier from 12 noon to 1.30pm for a panel discussion with Dr Saldaña, Freddy Andreasson, co-founder of El Gallo Altanero in Guadalajara, and Coa’s founder Jay Khan. The tasting is priced at $250 per person, and proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong.
Bourke’s
Head mixologist Mark Lloyd from Macau’s Wing Lei Bar will be at Bourke’s from 3 to 6pm showing how he reinvents classic cocktails. If you haven’t experienced Lloyd’s almost scientific infusion and distillates in elevated cocktails – or haven’t managed to get seated in his little jewellery box of a bar in Wynn Palace – then don’t miss this guest shift. Sunday roast at Bourke’s runs from 12 noon to 3pm, so you can just stick around after.
The Green Door
From 4 to 7pm, a range of Asian bartenders will bring their local flavours and ingredients to The Green Door, ready to make drinks that’ll surprise and delight. Guest bartenders include Phoebe Han, founder of Shanghai’s Healer; Supawit 'Palm' Muttarattana, co-founder of Bangkok’s Drywave Cocktail Studio; and Mitzar Lee from Seoul’s Le Chamber.
Honky Tonks Tavern
Three renowned global bars will be stationed at Honky Tonks, each bringing their own unique flair. From 5 to 6.30pm, Eli Martínez from Mexico City’s Tlecān (number three in North America’s Best Bars) will delve into the soul of agave; from 6.30 to 8pm, Rob Libecans of Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (the Best Bar in Australia 2024) will shake up signatures from home including their famous Plymouth Gin ‘House Martini’. Finally, Iain McPherson from Scotland’s Panda & Sons (number 30 on World’s 50 Best Bars) will be behind the bar from 8 to 9.30pm – order his Coconut Drop. Walk-ins only, the doors open at 2pm.
Quinary
Stop by Quinary from 6 to 9pm for an international double-bill featuring Svaja and Rose from Le Syndicat in Paris, and Emanuel and Paulo from Red Frog in Lisbon. Expect European flair, innovative twists on flavours, and a taste of France and Portugal right on our doorstep.
Gokan
Gokan will host a reunion of some of the world’s most respected bartenders and former winners of the Altos Bartender’s Bartender Award, which is also part of The World’s 50 Best Bars. Should you want every single cocktail to be delightful, this guest shift sounds like a pretty good bet.
Call Me Al
Denver’s Yacht Club makes another appearance, this time at Call Me Al, where Mary Allison Wright and McLain Hedges will take the lead on their signature cocktails, legendary hot dogs with Frank relish, and rollicking Colorado-style party. Walk-ins only from 9.30pm till late.
October 6
Bourke’s
Drop into Bourke’s from 3pm till midnight for live DJ tunes and a showcase of Campari cocktails done the Aussie way. Catch Alex Burt with Bourke’s Showcase from 3 to 6pm; Evan Strove and Andie Bulley from The Warratah in Darlinghurst from 6 to 8pm; Dre Walters, Adam Cork and Callum Marra from Old Love’s in Sydney from 8 to 10pm; and Kax Kite and Jordan Grocock from Sydney’s Cantina OK! from 10pm to midnight.
Coa
From 6 to 9pm, Bar El Gallo Altanero is taking over Coa, with co-founder Freddy Andreasson offering a taste of the Guadalajara bar’s innovative drinks, with twists on classics using seasonal fruits and regional pairings.
Jean-Pierre
Three top bars from Paris will come together for one night only at Hong Kong’s own Jean-Pierre! From 6 to 9pm, Patrick Vladich from the legendary Danico will whip up his theatrical avant-garde cocktails; Remy Savage and twin duo Sara and Hadrien Moudoulaud from Bar Nouveau will deconstruct classic tipples; while Lucas Joussemet and Xénia Patros will showcase their technique and flair that make The Cambridge Public House such a hit. All three bars are the darlings of the Parisian cocktail scene, and will be creating exclusive drinks featuring the St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, and Bombay Sapphire gin. This event also marks the opening of La Terasse, Jean-Pierre’s new outdoor space!
Ho Lee Fook
We’re in for a night of eye-wateringly good food and drinks, as Ho Lee Fook opens its doors to Andrew Ho from Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame and Mark Lloyd from Macau’s Wing Lei Bar. Chef ArChan Chan will be in the kitchen dishing out Cantonese favourites from 6 until 10pm, then the tables are cleared and the beats start with a DJ on the decks. An entry fee of $388 gets you three cocktails, chef’s snacks, and a good time. This intimate event will be capped at only 40 guests, so book ahead here.
Courtroom
Barro Negro, hospitality pioneer in Athens and authority on agave spirits, will join forces with the globally renowned platform World of Mixologists to bring an authentic taste of Mexico to Hong Kong, interestingly filtered through a Greek lens. Catch these three bar heavyweights at Courtroom from 7 to 9pm.
The Opposites
New York’s highly acclaimed design-driven bar Double Chicken Please – number one in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023, and number 14 in The World’s Best Bars 2024 – makes an appearance at The Opposites from 7 to 10pm. We’re so excited to experience Faye Chen and GN Chan’s playful approaches and their iconic ‘liquid meals’ concept.
Artifact
From 8pm onwards, Singapore’s glamorous Atlas Bar will be transplanted into the otherworldly interiors of Artifact. If you haven’t had a chance to hop across to the Lion City, this is a great opportunity to try their award-winning tipples.
Avoca
From 8 to 11pm, Mondrian Hong Kong’s Avoca will host Jeff Savage from Vancouver’s Prophecy. Savage blends vintage elegance with modern mixology into fresh and seamlessly forward-thinking flavours, so head on over to Kowloon side.
Alibi
Robin Leung, co-founder of Shanghai’s Tuxedo, will be behind the bar from 8pm. Having been the former bar manager at Coa Shanghai, Leung is an agave spirit expert, and guests can expect post-modern takes on classic cocktails that blend east and west, featuring Amrut whisky, Elijah Craig bourbon, and Lejay Cassis.
The St. Regis Bar, Macao
If you’re in Macau, definitely pop over to The St. Regis for their Art of Mixology guest shift with Alessandro Rossi, from Copenhagen’s Ruby Bar. He’ll be around from 9pm till late to craft classic and innovative cocktails – paired with the hotel bar’s timeless, luxe surroundings, it’s bound to be an evening to remember.
The Savory Project
Umami fans will love this one: modern pioneers of savoury drinks programmes, as well as previous winners of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award, will gather at The Savory Project to venture into explorative cocktail flavours together. Walk-ins only with limited seats available, so get in line early!
October 7
Kimpton Hong Kong
From 3 to 7pm, top talents and rising stars across Europe will gather at Birdsong in the newly opened Kimpton Hong Kong to showcase the bold flavours and refined craftsmanship that define European bar culture. Guest bartenders include Tomasso Cecca from Milan’s Camparino and Rory Shepherd from Paris’ De Vie, alongside four Campari Red Hand winners from Italy.
Courtroom
New York’s high-tech, sensory-driven bar Shinji’s will be hosted by Courtroom, where Bobbi Adler will present cocktails made famous by their innovative techniques and meticulous preparation. If you want to experience drinks that challenge conventions, pop by from 4 to 6pm.
Honky Tonks Tavern
The Tavern is celebrating their birthday and they’ve roped in some global bar stars to contribute to their five years of mucho danger in Hong Kong! Singapore’s Sago House will be taking over from 5 to 6.30pm; followed by Tijuana’s Aruba Day Drink from 6.30 to 8pm; Mexico City’s Hanky Panky from 8 to 9.30pm; and finally, Sri Lanka’s Smoke & Bitters from 9.30 to 11pm. DJ Mike Wolfe will be behind the decks, and free Honky pizza slices, cauliflower bites, chicken tenders, and fried pickles will be passed out from 5pm until the barrel runs dry. This is a public holiday so things are bound to get packed – arrive early.
Lobster Bar
Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame – ranked number seven in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, and the best bar in mainland China – will take over Lobster Bar from 7pm with their scientific approach to cocktail making, inspired by both Chinese traditions and global influences. We like the sound of their Negroni 8.0 made with Solisca Blanco, rattan pepper, lavender, butter milk Eisbock, and butterfly pea; and their Truffle Banana, featuring Torres 15 Years brandy, truffle banana bread wine, and spices.
Avoca
Shenzhen’s famous broody, dimly lit Obsidian Bar brings beverage director Paul Hsu and head mixologist Victor Su to Avoca for a night of unique mixology style and creative flair. If you’ve always wanted to try Obsidian’s offerings but dislike the trek across the border, this is your chance.
Alibi
Head over to Mongkok from 8pm to catch Ju Young Lee from Seoul’s Bar SookHee for a night of Korean mixology featuring Disaronno, Tia Maria, and Sagamore Rye.
October 8
Bourke’s
In addition to just drinks, this bar shift is also keeping us fed. Moebius from Milan will take over Bourke’s from 12 noon to 3pm with bar manager Giovanni Allario and his team shaking up their signature cocktails, while chefs Enrio Croatti and Luca Sinisi whip up snacks to line your stomach.
October 9
Bourke’s
Head to Bourke’s from 5pm for a taste of East London with Satan’s Whiskers – they’ve earned the moniker of London’s bartenders’ bar, so you know they’re bound to be spectacular. Back home, they’re well-known for their menu that changes daily, so we’re excited to see what modern classics they’ll shake up.
Lobster Bar
Speakeasy-style bar Paradiso, hidden behind a fridge door in a pastrami shop in Barcelona, lands in Hong Kong’s Lobster Bar with their theatrical cocktails that blend science and art. Some drinks that have caught our eye include the Savoury Martini, the Banana Eclipse, and the BBQ Colada.
Alibi
The dynamic duo of David Ong and Kiko Victor from Manila’s The Curator Coffee & Cocktails will be behind the stick, crafting bold drinks Ketel One, Don Julio, Tanqueray Ten, Zacapa, and warm Filipino hospitality.
Call Me Al
For their final guest shift, Call Me Al gathers a trio of global bars and bites, with Singapore’s Puffy Bois Cocktails and Pizza and Cat Bite Club, as well as Brooklyn’s Bar Madonna taking the stage. Expect a late-night boozy pizza party, powered by Mr Black Coffee Spirit in espresso martinis, slices of Puffy Bois’ cult-favourite pizzas, and plenty of rowdy good vibes.
October 10
Bourke’s
Bourke’s closes off their guest shift series with Vagator’s Hideaway Goa, Expect eclectic, inventive cocktails like their signature Mogambo, made with Altos Tequila, Creyente Espadin, Choya Golden Ume, Lillet Blanc, guava, and yuzu; or the Supertramp, with Monkey 47 Gin, blood orange, passionfruit, and Anatamool soda.
October 11
Red Sugar
Seoul’s Soko is known for their impeccably dressed bartenders with suits, bowties, and all, and two of their dashing oppas will be at Red Sugar for a final guest shift. This bar also has a martini shaking routine that’s been tightly choreographed and rehearsed to perfection, almost K-pop band style, so we can expect a bit of a show along with the drinks.
Alibi
Shakira Huang, founder of Bar STG in Wuhan, will take over Cordis, Hong Kong’s Alibi from 8pm, bringing cocktail artistry that features Amrut whisky, Elijah Craig bourbon, and Lejay Cassis.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox
Recommended stories:
Popular Korean porridge chain Bonjuk is opening in Hong Kong
Jay Sean chats 2010s music magic, breaking down industry barriers, and his plans in Hong Kong
Everything we know about Hong Kong Disneyland’s new Marvel and Pixar attractions