Unprecedented movement marks this year’s rankings as new markets emerge while established guards and traditions face disruption.
Bar Leone has solidified its position as Asia’s premier cocktail destination, claiming the coveted #1 spot for the second consecutive year at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony held at Wynn Palace Macau. Leone’s repeat victory comes amid what is seen as Asia’s most dynamic year in the ranking’s history, with nearly a quarter of last year’s top 50 bars either dropping dramatically or disappearing from the list entirely.
The 2025 rankings tell a story of change: 28 bars, representing close to a third of the entire list, made their debut in the top 100, including 12 new bars that broke directly into the top 50 without following the traditional progression through lower rankings.
Stability at the Summit
Whilst significant movement spread across the broader rankings, the top three positions demonstrated stability. Bar Leone, Zest, and Jigger & Pony maintained their exact rankings from 2024, representing the only three bars across the entire top 100 to achieve this consistency. The trio’s steadfast performance stands in contrast with the shifts experienced throughout the rest of the rankings, including a 50% change in the top 10.
Lorenzo Antinori, co-founder of Bar Leone, reflects on what this consistency means in such an evolving market:
‘It’s a testament to the hard work the team puts in every day. We believe that dedication and commitment to quality always pays off in the end. At the same time, we are truly honoured and humbled by the love shown from our peers.’
When asked what sets Bar Leone apart in this increasingly competitive field, Antinori emphasised authenticity:
‘I think it’s the authenticity of our concept, which speaks to people on a personal level. There are no tricks or smoke and mirrors, just genuine hospitality and approachable cocktails.’
The Meteoric Rise of Dry Wave Cocktail Studio
Perhaps no story better illustrates this year’s dramatic shifts than that of Bangkok’s Dry Wave Cocktail Studio. The Bangkok bar rocketed 93 positions from #98 to #5, marking only the second time a bar has made such a dramatic leap into the top 5. Bar Leone previously achieved this feat by going from unranked to #1 in Asia’s 2024 rankings.
Palm Supawit, co-founder of Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, offers insight into their remarkable ascent. When asked if anything fundamental had changed between 2024 and 2025 that contributed to their rise, he remained modest:
‘I don’t think we’ve changed that much, to be honest. The way we work has remained consistent from the beginning until now—before and after being recognised by Asia’s 50 Best Bars. I’ve always believed in the system we put in place.’
Regarding the dramatic ranking improvement, Palm emphasises the importance of a holistic approach:
‘It can’t be attributed to just one factor. It really comes down to the combination of everything: the concept, stories behind the menu, the cocktails, the atmosphere, and also the hospitality. We’ve always believed in doing our best every single day, and eventually, that consistency starts to show. People begin to see who we really are.’
‘Of course, we also focus on making improvements each day,’ he continues. ‘At the core of it all is the team. I truly believe that a great team will always help you reach your goals.’
Dry Wave’s success also highlights Bangkok’s emergence as a major cocktail destination, with Thailand now claiming 10 bars in the top 100, including seven in the top 50. The country’s strong showing reflects the growing sophistication of Southeast Asian cocktail culture and the region’s ability to compete with established markets like Hong Kong and Singapore.
Regional Power Shifts
Several markets demonstrated significant strength in this year’s rankings. Taiwan secured 10 bars in the top 100, with venues like Moonrock achieving a stunning 58-position jump from #100 to #42. This performance establishes Taiwan as a major force in Asian cocktail culture, with representation spanning from Taipei to the southern city of Tainan.
One of this year’s compelling narratives is India’s return as a cocktail destination. The subcontinent now holds nine bars in the top 100, ranking sixth globally and matching Hong Kong’s representation. This achievement reflects a fundamental shift in the global cocktail landscape and positions India as a serious contender in international hospitality.
Leading this charge is New Delhi’s Lair, which achieved the third-largest jump in the rankings, surging 60 positions from #68 to #8. Lair’s success is emblematic of a broader transformation occurring across India’s major cities, including Bengaluru, Goa, and Mumbai.
Navjot Singh, Beverage Director at Lair, attributes India’s rise to inherent talent and resilience:
‘India is home to immense talent and stands as one of the most dynamic, untapped markets in the global bar industry. Our bar landscape is rich, diverse, and bursting with potential, offering unparalleled access to a wide spectrum of indigenous ingredients that few places can rival.’
Singh highlights the creative challenges that drive innovation in the Indian market:
‘In a country where imported liqueurs and amaros are limited, we rely on craft—on making everything from scratch. And that’s where true bartending shines. It’s not just about mixing drinks; it’s about mastering the art of creation, innovation, and storytelling through flavour.’
‘This is India,’ he concludes with pride, ‘bold, resilient, and brilliantly resourceful. We haven’t just arrived on the global stage – we’ve made our presence felt.’
South Korea continues to build on its cultural export success, with Seoul alone contributing four bars to the top 50. The country’s eight bars on the list reflect the growing international appreciation for Korean culture. Demie Kim, co-founder of Zest, explains Korea’s unique cocktail evolution:
‘Since the pandemic, Korea’s bar scene has truly come into its own. A natural connection between generations has strengthened the community – industry veterans and a younger wave of bartenders are learning from each other, unlocking fresh ideas, diversity, and creativity. Through this process, the potential that had always existed within Korea’s bar culture has finally started to shine.’
Kim emphasises Korea’s distinctive approach to global influences:
‘What makes Korea unique is its ability to take global influences and reinterpret them through a distinctly Korean lens. By embracing what makes us special – our local flavours, ingredients, and design sensibilities – we’ve created a new sense of identity for Korean bars.’
‘They are no longer just places to drink,’ he continues. ‘They’ve become cultural spaces where storytelling, hospitality, and creativity come together. And as the global love for K-culture continues to grow, more people are discovering our bars as an authentic way to experience the country.’
For Zest, the philosophy remains grounded in authenticity: ‘For us, it’s never about chasing trends; it’s about creating something meaningful – experiences rooted in care, Korean identity, and a strong sense of locality.’
The New Guard: Breaking Traditional Progression
Perhaps the most striking aspect of this year’s rankings is the sheer number of new entries. 28 bars made their debut in the top 100, with 12 entering directly into the top 50. Rather than following the conventional path of entering at positions 51-100 and gradually ascending, these establishments broke directly into the top 50. Whilst Bar Leone’s direct entry to #1 may have felt like an outlier in 2024, this new wave suggests a fundamental shift in traditional progression moving forward.
The breakthrough bars span six countries: Indonesia leads with three new top 50 entries (Modernhaus at #12, Carrots Bar at #34, and Cosmo Pony at #38), whilst India matches this performance with Soka (#28) and Bar Spirit Forward (#37) in Bengaluru, plus Boilermaker (#30) in Goa. Thailand contributes G.O.D (#26) and Bar Sathorn (#48) in Bangkok, Japan adds Punch Room Tokyo (#36) and Bar Libre (#49), whilst China and Hong Kong each contribute one bar – MO Bar Shenzhen (#21) and Gokan (#33), respectively.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, attributes this change to evolving travel patterns amongst the voting base:
‘The 50 Best lists are always dynamic, particularly in the bars space, as the international drinks scene is ever-evolving. As a reminder, the list is a simple computation of the votes of more than 300 drinks experts from across the continent, and we see the lists as a snapshot of opinions across a specific time period.’
‘This is particularly evident in Asia, as demonstrated by this year’s list,’ Sleight continues. ‘When we launched Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2016, more than 70% of the ranked bars were in major cities. Whilst we still see incredible capital city-centric bars being celebrated, this has had a ripple effect where we are seeing smaller cities and towns making their mark on the global cocktail landscape, from Guangzhou and Tainan to Jakarta, Goa, Hanoi, and Kumamoto.’
She sees this geographic expansion as a positive development: ‘It’s really reflective of the taste for travel and exploration that our voters have developed and how, hopefully, our lists are helping people discover both established and emerging gastronomy and cocktail hotspots more widely across the region. If our lists inspire people to try a bar or travel to a location they might not have thought to experience, that’s the mark of success for us!’
Recognition Beyond Rankings: Special Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence
The 2025 ceremony also celebrated outstanding achievements across multiple dimensions of bar excellence through its comprehensive special awards programme. These accolades recognise that exceptional hospitality extends far beyond cocktail quality to encompass sustainability, design, career achievement, and industry leadership.
The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award went to Cambodia’s Sora in Phnom Penh (#65), highlighting the growing importance of environmental responsibility in cocktail culture. The bar’s zero-waste beverage initiative exemplifies how bars can spotlight local flavors; in this case, Cambodian ingredients through Japanese storytelling, while maintaining eco-conscious operations.
Individual excellence was celebrated through the Roku Industry Icon Award, presented to Jay Khan, the visionary behind Coa Hong Kong (former three-time Best Bar in Asia) and founder of the non-profit Mezcal Mission. Khan’s recognition underscores the influence of industry leaders who transcend their own bars to elevate cocktail culture regionally. Similarly, the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award honoured Andrew Ho of Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou, recognising exceptional talent behind the bar.
Innovation and potential were acknowledged through several forward-looking awards. The Campari One To Watch Award recognized Hanoi’s Workshop14 (#83), identifying rising talent with the ingredients for future top-50 recognition. Meanwhile, the Three Cents Best New Opening Award celebrated Jakarta’s Modernhaus (#12) demonstrating that new establishments can achieve immediate excellence and top-tier recognition.
The Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award honoured Bangkok’s Vesper (#29) for consistent excellence since the ranking’s inception in 2016, recognising the pioneers who established Asia’s cocktail foundations. Conversely, the Nikka Highest Climber Award went to Seoul’s Alice, which surged 33 positions to #13, whilst the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award celebrated Dry Wave Cocktail Studio’s unprecedented #5 debut.
Design excellence gained recognition through the Best Bar Design Award for Bangkok’s Messenger Service (#90), through their concept of a grocery layout, communal seating and location in a historic shophouse. The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award honoured Penang’s Backdoor Bodega (#64) for creative menu development, whilst the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award recognised Kathmandu’s Barc for exceptional service standards.
These awards also highlight the geographic diversity of talent, with winners spanning from Cambodia to Nepal, reflecting the continent’s broad cocktail development.
Regional Champions: Celebrating Asia’s Best in Country
The 2025 rankings showcase the remarkable diversity and excellence of cocktail culture across Asia, with standout bars representing their nations at the highest level. These country champions reflect not only individual excellence but also the growing sophistication of their respective regional markets.
| Country | Bar Name | City | Consecutive Years |
| Hong Kong/Asia | Bar Leone | Hong Kong | 2 |
| India | Lair | New Delhi | NEW |
| Indonesia | Modernhaus | Jakarta | NEW |
| Japan | Bar Benfiddich | Tokyo | 4 |
| Malaysia | Penrose | Kuala Lumpur | 2 |
| Mainland China | Hope & Sesame | Guangzhou | 3 |
| Nepal | Barc | Kathmandu | 2 |
| Singapore | Jigger & Pony | Singapore | 6 |
| South Korea | Zest | Seoul | 3 |
| Sri Lanka | Smoke & Bitters | Hiriketiya | 2 |
| Taiwan | Vender | Taichung | 2 |
| Thailand | Bar Us | Bangkok | NEW |
These twelve country champions represent not just individual achievement, but the democratisation of cocktail excellence across Asia. Lorenzo Antinori agrees, noting the regional transformation:
‘The diversity within the region in terms of style of bars, but mostly the level of the bar experience, has grown significantly. Now we have great bars literally in every city of the region, and the market keeps growing. It’s a testament to the work done by the current generation.’
Looking Forward: A Turning Point
Emma Sleight shares her excitement about the direction of Asia’s cocktail scene:
‘Genuinely, it’s the diversity of style, spirits, and flavours that crops up across Asia. Whether that’s a focus on hyper-local distillates such as aila at Barc in Kathmandu, smoked olives that transport you to Roma via Bar Leone’s Filthy Martini, or Sichuan peppercorns in St. Regis Macau’s Bloody Mary, it’s really the unique expression you see across the entirety of the continent.’
‘Asia’s bartenders are not afraid to take risks, push the boundaries, and continue to innovate,’ she continues. ‘Plus, with a whole host of new entries and new cities to experience, each bringing their own style of shaking to the global stage, I can’t wait to taste what’s next!’
As the continent’s cocktail culture continues to mature, the 2025 rankings may be remembered as a turning point, the year when Asia’s bar scene embraced both its established excellence and its emerging potential. For Bar Leone, maintaining the #1 position represents not just sustained excellence, but leadership in a rapidly evolving industry. For the industry as a whole, these rankings signal an exciting future where innovation, authenticity, and excellence can emerge from any corner of the continent.
The Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony was held at Wynn Palace Macau, celebrating the continent’s most outstanding cocktail venues and recognising the individuals and teams driving innovation across Asia’s dynamic hospitality landscape.
Follow Derrick Pereira on Instagram.
Follow 50 Best Bars on Instagram.
Have something to say? Write in to editor@thedramattic.com
The Dram Attic 
Leave a comment