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Yes, it is that time of the year again, when all the best bars and bartenders in the region are whipped into an excited frenzy of guest shifts and parties, culminating in the live awards ceremony of the season. After the success of the 2025 edition, Asia’s 50 Best Bars returns this year to Wynn in Macau. From July 24 to 29, Wynn Resorts Macau will be hosting up to 50 global visionaries from the mixology and culinary worlds.
If you’re not on the invite list, you won’t be able to attend the actual awards ceremony, but feel no FOMO, because there are plenty of other activities to keep you happily tipsy over the five days. Here’s the rundown and everything you need to know about the bar guest shifts, exclusive takeovers, and more.
Friday, July 24
Wing Lei Bar showcase
As Wynn Palace’s flagship bar, you can expect most of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars drinks-related events to be centred around Wing Lei Bar. Mark Lloyd, the director of bars at Wynn Resorts, will host an introduction to the bar’s new menu named Unity 2.0. These 12 cocktails are all inspired by Lloyd’s personal anecdotes during a year on the road with Wing Lei Bar, so they’re bound to be surprising.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 4pm-6pm
Chef Tam’s Seasons x Michter’s Bourbon Pairing Dinner
Chef Tam’s Seasons, which has been ranked No. 7 on Asia’s Best Restaurants 2026, is presenting a six-course menu where dishes will be paired with special expressions from Michter’s Distillery.
Where: Chef Tam’s Seasons
When: 7pm-9pm
Asia Checks In, Let’s Shake Up
Avoca from Hong Kong’s own Mondrian hotel, ZLB23 from Bangalore, Bar Sathorn from Bangkok, and Stay Gold from Singapore will take over Wing Lei Bar in a high-octane showcase of Asia’s diverse cocktail cultures. The perfect start to a full weekend of drinking ahead.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 8pm-late
Saturday, July 25
The Road Less Traveled
This is a great opportunity to try bars that are rather difficult for most punters to sample because they are located in far-flung global corners that are beyond the conventional bar circuit. Nomad Lab from Ulaanbaatar, Barc from Kathmandu, and Kiki Lounge from Douglas on the Isle of Man will be spotlit by Lloyd. If you’re not planning on travelling to these destinations anytime soon, this guest shift is a must-go.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 5pm-8pm
An Off-Menu Snacks & Cocktail Affair
One-Michelin-starred contemporary Japanese restaurant Mizumi will host Shanghai’s Vice Bistro-Lounge and Pony Up for an evening of inventive cocktails elevated by special bar snacks, right at the sushi counter. Apart from the exclusively curated cocktails, the food will also be off-menu delicacies, only available for this event.
Where: Mizumi, Wynn Palace
When: 7pm-late
The Best of British II
The spotlight turns to ol’ Blighty, showcasing UK bars that have been getting the bar industry’s attention over the past year. Sip your way through the Midlands and northwestern UK with Below Stairs from Leeds, Bar Glue from Liverpool, and Passing Fancies from Birmingham.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 8pm-late
Sunday, July 26
A Bartenders’ Bartenders Takeover
Four figures who have won the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender award – who their peers agree is some of the global bar industry’s most admired hospitality talents – will go behind the stick. Jay Khan (Coa and The Savory Project) and Andrew Ho (Hope & Sesame) will open the night before passing the baton to Keith Motsi (Virtù) and Beckaly Franks (Artifact and Call Me Al) – see for yourself why they’re so well respected.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 6pm-late
Monday, July 27
Drink Thy Neighbours – A Hong Kong Takeover
Our city’s bars are the undisputed star of the show here! Wynn’s director of bars Mark Lloyd invites four standout bars from Hong Kong to show what makes our drinks scene so good. Bourke’s will be paired up with Swim Club, followed by Honky Tonks Tavern with The Green Door. If you want a cross-Hong Kong bar hop without leaving your seat, then here’s your chance.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 2pm-5pm
From KL With Love
Next, the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur takes the stage, bringing Penrose (ranked No. 10 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025) and Three X Co (ranked No. 16) for a showcase of elegant finesse.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 5pm-7pm
Danil Nevsky Takeover
Barcelona-based Danil Nevsky, founder of mixology platform Indie Bartender and bar-related sh*tposter @cocktailman, brings his cocktail craft to the bar the night before the Asia’s 50 Best Bars live awards. Nevsky was recently ranked No. 5 on Bar World 100 (right ahead of our own Lorenzo Antinori!) so this is a great chance to interact with one of the bar industry’s most influential figures.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 10pm-late
Tuesday, July 28
Behind Her Bar
We love it when women rule the world! Jen Queen and Nicole Slater of The Pontiac and Beckaly Franks of Artifact and Call Me Al have brought together an all-female lineup of bartending talents. Expect to see Zana Möhlmann from Singapore’s Manhattan, Evangeline Malley from Below Stairs in Leeds, Arlene Wong from The Green Door, and Nic Ho from Dead Poets alongside the event curators. Girl power and fantastic drinks – there can’t be a better mix.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: 2pm-5pm
Wing Lei Bar Secret Houseparty
After the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards ceremony, head back to Wing Lei Bar as Lloyd reunites with three of his former apprentices who are now all bar owners of their own in Shanghai. Bar OJ, Pawoo By, and Bar Times will be joined by Bar Mixato for an intimate evening and an insider look into Shanghai’s bar scene.
Where: Wing Lei Bar
When: After ceremony - late
Wynn Palace After Party
Alternatively, you can join the official afterparty, where Asia’s 50 Best Bars veterans and recent list joiners alike will come together for what’s sure to be a long night of revelry. The lineup includes Cat Bite Club from Singapore, The Cocktail Club from Jakarta, Opium from Bangkok, Soka from Bangalore, and Carrots from Jakarta.
Where: Palace Reserve Club, Wynn Palace
When: After ceremony - late
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