The highly anticipated list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, sponsored by Perrier, was revealed at an electric awards ceremony held at Rosewood Hong Kong on Tuesday 18th July – the first full gathering of the Asian bar community since 2019. This year, the biggest annual celebration of bars in the continent features 13 new entries and five re-entries, with venues spanning 11 territories and 17 cities. Explore the eighth edition of the list below and find out which venue has been crowned The Best Bar in Asia 2023, sponsored by Perrier.
No.5 Zest
Seoul
@zest.seoul
Sustainability-forward Zest is a culmination of all things Korean, from ingredients to its minimalist decor that features a bar with no bottles on display, but a prep lab for the cocktail curious to observe. Minimal waste is the name of the game and each ingredient is utilised to the nth degree. Rising a staggering 43 positions from last year’s ranking, Zest is the winner of the Nikka Highest Climber Award, as well as The Best Bar in Korea 2023.
No.4 Bar Benfiddich
Tokyo
ameblo.jp/kayama
Hiroyasu Kayama – named Roku Industry Icon 2023 – isn’t the only bartender in Japan to advertise farm-to-bar cocktails, but he is the only one with a farm the size of a football pitch to play with. The windowless room has absinthe fountains and wormwood sprigs hanging from bare cedar beams, jars of mysterious infusions on the shelf, and a bartender that might be using his farm-distilled absinthe with marc, calvados and creme de cacao for a brilliant sort-of-a-Sazerac. This is also The Best Bar in Japan 2023, sponsored by Torres Brandy.
No.3 BKK Social Club
Bangkok
fourseasons.com/bangkok/lounges/bkk-social-club
Inspired by the parallels of Buenos Aires and Bangkok, The Best Bar in Thailand 2023, sponsored by Tia Maria, is located in the Four Seasons at Chao Phraya River and helmed by industry veteran Philip Bischoff. The focus here is on glitz, glamour and good times, set in garden-like surrounds in which plants tumble from chandeliers and semi-outdoor courtyards provide a space to enjoy a cigar.
No.2 Jigger & Pony
Singapore
@jiggerandponysg
jiggerandpony.com
The Best Bar in Singapore 2023 has come a long way from its origins on Amoy Street to its sumptuous digs at the Amara Hotel, even winning the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award 2023. Months of research went into creating the latest ‘magazine’ menu, whose three-part cocktail list is entitled Identity – designed to represent not only the drinks but also the ethos of the place and the values they look to convey.
No.1 Coa
Hong Kong
@COAhongkong
coa.com.hk
Named after the machete-like tool used for harvesting agave, the plant from which both mezcal and tequila are distilled, Coa pays homage to both spirits, offering the city’s largest agave collection, clocking in at a cool 200 bottles.
After debuting with the Highest New Entry Award in 2019 and following with Coa’s owner-bartender Jay Khan winning the Bartenders’ Bartender Award in 2020, it’s been apparent since day one that this bar had something special. This year, it accomplishes a feat unmatched in the history of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, becoming the first-ever venue to be thrice-awarded the coveted No.1 position, clinching The Best Bar in Asia trophy, sponsored by Perrier, once again.