We're number one! Again! Back for its third edition, Asia’s 50 Best Bars hosts its first ever awards ceremony tonight at the Capitol Theatre in Singapore. And Manhattan at Regent Hotel claims the top spot on the list for the second year running.
Singapore and China tied at a high of 12 bars each on the list, with Singapore claiming four bars on the top 10, the most in Asia. Aside from Manhattan claiming the number one spot, Atlas rose to number four on the list, with Tippling Club (7) and Native (8) not far behind. Other winners include 28HKS (12), Operation Dagger (19), Gibson (22), Employees Only (23),D.Bespoke (32), Nutmeg & Clove (33), Jigger & Pony (42) and The Other Room (50).
What makes Manhattan number one? According to Philip Bischoff, its bar manager, it's all about teamwork. "It's always down to the team, the consistency and the service," says Bischoff, "it doesn't matter if it's your first visit or your 10th visit – when you walk in to Manhattan, we want you to have the best time. We're always training, we don't expect to win but we're definitely happy."
Other notable bars on this year's list are The Old Man (5), Hong Kong, the highest new entry this year and Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taiwan, taking the second spot. Here's the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars:
#1: Manhattan, Singapore
#2: Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taiwan
#3: Speak Low, Shanghai
#4: Atlas, Singapore
#5: The Old Man, Hong Kong (Highest new entry)
#6: High Five, Tokyo
#7: Tippling Club, Singapore
#8: Native, Singapore
#9: Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
#10: Lobster Bar and Grill, Hong Kong
#11: Stockton, Hong Kong
#12: 28HKS, Singapore
#13: Backstage, Bangkok
#14: Sober Company, Shanghai
#15: Quinary, Hong Kong
#16: Bar Trench, Tokyo
#17: Le Chamber, Seoul
#18: Zuma, Hong Kong
#19: Operation Dagger, Singapore
#20: Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
#21: Charles H, Seoul
#22: Gibson, Singapore
#23: Employees Only, Singapore
#24: 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
#25: The Curator, Philippines
#26: Alice, Seoul
#27: Vesper, Bangkok
#28: Union Trading Company, Shanghai
#29: Smalls, Bangkok
#30: Janes & Hooch, Beijing
#31: The Pontiac, Hong Kong
#32: D.Bespoke, Singapore
#33: Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
#34: Gen Yamamoto, Tokyo
#35: TCRC, Taiwan
#36: Potato Head Beach Club, Bali
#37: Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo
#38: Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
#39: Loewy, Jakarta
#40: Mixology Salon, Tokyo
#41: Union Brasserie Baker and Bar, Jakarta
#42: Jigger & Pony, Singapore
#43: Star Bar, Tokyo
#44: Teens of Thailand, Bangkok
#45: Lamp Bar, Nara
#46: Coley, Kuala Lumpur
#47: Keepers, Seoul
#48: Ritz Carlton Bar and Lounge, Macau
#49: Ku Bar, Bangkok
#50: The Other Room, Singapore