It is a strong showing for Hong Kong this year. After taking home top spots at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 list earlier in March, the country is also now home to the best bar in Asia. Cocktail bar Coa has climbed two spots to edge out last year’s winner, Jigger & Pony.
The homegrown bar, located at the Amara Hotel, fell one spot to place second, but retains its position as the best bar in Singapore.
A total of 12 bars made it to the 2021 list. Manhattan climbed two spots to place at No. 6. Atlas follows closely behind at No. 7, down two spots from last year. Also making the list is Native (No. 14), 28 HongKong Street (No. 21), Tippling Club (No. 36), D.Bespoke (No. 39), and the local outpost of The Old Man (No. 42).
Particularly exciting is the entrance of No Sleep Club, winner of the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award. Coming off the back of its win as last year’s Campari One To Watch, the Keong Saik bar makes a shiny debut on the list at No. 8.
Other first-time entrants also include dual-concept Barbary Coast (No. 29) and newly opened Sago House (No. 49).
Having made its debut on the list last year, MO Bar at the Mandarin Oriental continues its upward trajectory to place at No. 45. Besides climbing one spot, the Pacific Ocean-inspired bar also took home the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award for its winning service standards.
Similar to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 list, the bars’ list has also extended beyond the top 50 for the first time. A total of six local watering holes made it to the 51 to 100 placement, including Employees Only (No. 70), Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall (No. 71), Live Twice (No. 75), The Other Room (No. 79), and Junior the Pocket Bar (No. 82). Gibson fell out of the main list to place at No. 66.
Content Editor Mark Sansom says in a press statement, “In a historic first for the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards programme, the extended ranking is designed to shine the spotlight on more bars than ever before. As guests begin planning their next bar experiences, this extended list will provide double the choice of exceptional, expert-approved drinking destinations for the months and years ahead.”
It was also announced that the 2022 edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars will make a return to sunny Singapore, when travel borders open once again.
In the meantime, check out the complete list of winners here:
1. Coa, Hong Kong
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
3. The SG Club, Japan
4. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taiwan
5. Sober Company, China
6. Manhattan, Singapore
7. Atlas, Singapore
8. No Sleep Club, Singapore (New)
9. Bar Benfiddich, Japan
10. Caprice Bar, Hong Kong
11. The Bamboo Bar, Thailand
12. Bar Trigona, Malaysia
13. Charles H, Korea
14. Native, Singapore
15. Hope & Sesame, China
16. Sidecar, India
17. Bar Mood, Taiwan
18. Bee’s Knees, Japan
19. Room By Le Kief, Taiwan
20. The Diplomat, Hong Kong
21. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
22. Tropic City, Thailand
23. Tell Camillia, Hong Kong (New)
24. Aha Saloon, Taiwan
25. Quinary, Hong Kong
26. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
27. High Five, Japan
28. The Wise King, Hong Kong
29. Barbary Coast, Singapore (New)
30. Penicillin, Hong Kong
31. Union Trading Company, China
32. Speak Low, China
33. Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar, Indonesia
34. Bar Cham, Korea
35. Backstage Cocktail Bar, Thailand
36. Tippling Club, Singapore
37. Junglebird, Malaysia
38. The Curator, The Philippines
39. D.Bespoke, Singapore
40. Darkside, Hong Kong (New)
41. Alice, Korea
42. The Old Man, Singapore
43. Bar Trench, Japan
44. Le Chamber, Korea
45. MO Bar, Singapore
46. Vesper, Thailand
47. Three X Co, Malaysia
48. Teens of Thailand, Thailand
49. Sago House, Singapore (New)
50. Star Bar, Japan