GBA Lifestyle News
The winners of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 have been announced, and Hong Kong’s bar scene has yet again proven its worth. This year’s awards ceremony was held at the luxurious Rosewood Hong Kong, marking the first full-scale gathering of the bar community since 2019. The event was a much-awaited one, and the winners did not disappoint.
COA, a mezcal-focused bar in Hong Kong with a passion for agave spirits and a commitment to sustainability, took home the top prize as the Number 1 Bar in Asia. The bar was also recognized with the Ketel One Sustainable Award for its commitment to sustainability and its use of locally-sourced ingredients. The team at COA, led by owner Jay Khan, has been working tirelessly to promote and educate people about mezcal and its culture, while also creating innovative cocktails that showcase the spirit’s unique flavors. COA’s win is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication to their craft.
DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong, a sophisticated cocktail parlor with sultry live jazz, was once again recognized for its award-winning cocktail list. The bar pays homage to Kowloon’s “Dark Side” and boasts a menu curated by Director of Bars Simone Rossi and Bar Manager KT Lam. The menu features rare aged spirits and classic cocktails updated with innovative techniques. This year, DarkSide rose from its #13 position in 2022 to #9 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.
Penicillin, Hong Kong’s first sustainable bar that champions a closed-loop model of production, also made the list. Named after the breakthrough group of antibiotics that heralded an age of medical revolution, the bar brings a revolutionary take on sustainability in today’s waste-heavy world of cocktail creation. The bar was founded by industry veterans Agung Prabowo and Roman, Laura Prabowo, and Katy Ghale and finds innovation in the true flavors of Hong Kong while working to minimize its carbon footprint. Penicillin ranked #26 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.
Hong Kong’s bar scene was well-represented in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, with several other bars making the list. From The Old Man and The Diplomat to Coa and Quinary, Hong Kong’s bar scene is truly one of the best in the world. Here are some of the other Hong Kong bars that made the list:
The competition was tough, and the winners truly deserve their recognition. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 was a reminder of the incredible talent and creativity that exists within the bar industry, and Hong Kong’s bar scene is a shining example of that. Congratulations to all the winners, and cheers to a bright future in the world of cocktails!
1. COA (Hong Kong)
2. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
3. BKK Social Club (Bangkok)
4. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)
5. Zest (Seoul)
6. Tropic City (Bangkok)
7. Nutmeg and Clove (Singapore)
8. Argo (Hong Kong)
9. Darkside (Hong Kong)
10. Sago House (Singapore)
11. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei)
12. Vesper (Bangkok)
13. Cham Bar (Seoul)
14. The SG Club (Tokyo)
15. Analogue Initiative (Singapore)
16. Republic (Singapore)
17. The Aubrey (Hong Kong)
18. Sidecar (New Delhi)
19. The Cocktail Club (Jakarta)
20. Virtù (Tokyo)
21. Manhattan (Singapore)
22. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (Bangkok)
23. Lamp Bar (Nara)
24. 28 HongKong Street (Singapore)
25. Le Chamber (Seoul)
26. Penicillin (Hong Kong)
27. Atlas (Singapore)
28. Alice (Seoul)
29. Pantja (Jakarta)
30. Employees Only (Singapore)
31. Quinary (Hong Kong)
32. Stay Gold Flamingo (Singapore)
33. Mostly Harmless (Hong Kong)
34. The Curator (Manila)
35. The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai)
36. Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur)
37. Southside Parlor (Seoul)
38. Copitas (Bengaluru)
39. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou)
40. Smoke & Bitters (Hiriketiya)
41. Vender (Taichung)
42. Native (Singapore)
43. The Public House (Taipei)
44. Bee’s Knees (Kyoto)
45. High Five (Tokyo)
46. Soko (Seoul)
47. The Old Man (Hong Kong)
48. The Living Room (Mumbai)
49. The Bellwood (Tokyo)
50. Penrose (Kuala Lumpur)
