Twelve bars across Asia made the cut in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, spotlighting top spots in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, and Dubai. Leading the pack, Singapore emerged as the favorite, with four bars earning spots on the prestigious list.
Sponsored by Perrier, the list was published by the UK-based business media company William Reed and announced during a live awards ceremony at the Madrid Arena in Spain. The voters who contributed to the list included industry professionals such as bartenders, consultants, drinks writers, and cocktail specialists.
Five Asian cities and Singapore, the city-state, were included among the 28 destinations on the list. Ranked 2nd, Bar Leone in Hong Kong is the highest-ranking Asian bar. Located in Central, it is an Italian-style cocktail bar launched and managed by award-winning mixologist Lorenzo Antinori last year. Coa, another entry from Hong Kong that ranks 18th, is a Mexican-themed cocktail bar founded by Jay Khan in 2017.
The number of bars recommended by the list in Singapore is on par with those in London and New York, both renowned for their rich and vibrant drinking cultures. Top among the four entries from Singapore is Jigger & Pony, ranked 5th—nine places higher than last year’s No.14 position on the list. Following are two new entries: Nutmeg & Clove at No. 28, Analogue Initiative at No. 47, and Atlas, a second-time winner, ranked 43rd.
Despite strict alcohol control measures, such as limited drinking hours in public and a high excise duty of SG$ 88 (US$ 66.63) per liter of alcohol, Singapore is growing into a “cocktail capital of Asia,” according to Ivy Woo, the co-founder of the Singapore Cocktail Festival.
BKK Social Club, ranked 12th, and Bar Us, ranked 41st, represent Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, which is emerging as a significant wine market in Southeast Asia. This year’s measure to abolish the 54% import tax on alcoholic beverages for one year in Thailand is expected to further stimulate bar consumption in this popular tourism destination.
Japan has two entries on the list, both located in Tokyo: Bar Benfiddich ranked 25th (down from 23rd last year), and Virtù, the new entry ranked 42nd. Zest in Seoul is the only South Korean entry, ranked ninth, while Mimi Kakushi is notable as the sole representative from West Asia.
India and mainland China, the two most populous countries, surprisingly, have no bar entering the list.
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