Singapore and Hong Kong Take Top Honours in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021
If you're a thirsty traveler, it's official, Singapore and Hong Kong have to be on your list!
21 Nov 2021
Contents
Raising the Bar
Asia’s Top 50 Bars have been selected for 2021, and the list, this year, is full of amazing locations and top-quality drinks from every corner of the continent. If you’re curious whether your local watering hole made it onto the list, look no further. You’ll find the complete list of 50 bars listed below.
Before we get into the list, however, let’s take a look at the top 3 places around Asia that netted the most number of bars in the list. This way, if you plan on organizing a trip around Asia to savor delicious drinks, you’ll know which locations absolutely MUST be on your list!
Best Bar Destination in Asia: Singapore
With over a fifth of all top-ranked bars in Asia, Singapore is THE standout destination for thirsty travelers to visit. Even more impressive is that Singaporean bars also take 4 out of the top 10 spots in the list. We’re not sure exactly what the Singaporeans are doing to get so amazing at producing quality bars, but we hope they never stop!
Second Best Bar Destination in Asia: Hong Kong
With just under 20% of the top 50 list belonging to Hong Kong, Asia’s World City truly shines through as one of the best destinations to get an amazing drink. Anyone looking for a great gateway into Asia where the drinks are to die for should put Hong Kong on their travel bucket list with no reservations…well, maybe make sure you reserve a seat at one of these top bars!
Third Best Bar Destination in Asia: Japan
Japan is a land of great architecture, amazing technology, fascinating culture and awesome drinks! With over 10% of all bars in this top 50 list, Japan certainly presents itself as a heavyweight of Asia’s best cities to go for a drink. When you take a look at some of the stunning Japanese bars that made this list, you'll be saying Konichi-Whoa!
How was the List Curated and Judged?
Asia’s 50 Best Bars is an event that is organized by William Reed Business Media. The actual voting is not done by any staff from the event organizers. Instead, industry experts are selected to cast their votes and have their say on which bars around Asia are mold-breakers and vibe-shakers!
Each voter can cast 5 votes that are based on their bar experiences from the previous year and a half (18 months). At least 1 bar in each voter’s list must be outside of their home country. The number of votes per person has been reduced in 2021 since travel opportunities have dwindled. Finally, voters are required to remain anonymous and the voting process is confidential and secure.
What are the Voting Rules?
1.Voting is strictly confidential
2. Panellists vote for five bars, in order of preference, of which at least one must be located outside of the voter's country of residence
3. Voters must have visited the bars they nominate within the voting window (the previous 18 months)
4. Voters are not permitted to vote for bars they own or have a financial interest in
5. Nominations must be made for the bar and not for the bar owner or bartender (except in the case of special individual awards)
6. Panellists cannot vote for a temporary bar, ‘pop-up’, or ‘guest shift’, or for a bar based on an experience that does not take place at the bar itself
Who Adjudicates to Ensure Fair Voting?
As of this year (2021), “professional services consultancy Deloitte is the official independent adjudicator of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.”
The List!
The moment you’ve all been waiting for! Below, you can find a list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars!
1
Coa
Hong Kong, China
2
Jigger & Pony
Singapore
3
The SG Club
Tokyo, Japan
4
Indulge Experimental Bistro
Taipei, Taiwan
5
Sober Company
Shanghai, China
6
Manhattan
Singapore
7
Atlas
Singapore
8
No Sleep Club
Singapore
9
Bar Benfiddich
Tokyo, Japan
10
Caprice Bar
Hong Kong, China
11
The Bamboo Bar
Bangkok, Thailand
12
Bar Trigona
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
13
Charles H
Seoul, South Korea
14
Native
Singapore
15
Hope & Sesame
Guangzhou, China
16
Sidecar
New Delhi, India
17
Bar Mood
Taipei, Taiwan
18
Bee's Knees
Kyoto, Japan
19
Room by Le Kief
Taipei, Taiwan
20
The Diplomat
Hong Kong, China
21
28 HongKong Street
Singapore
22
Tropic City
Bangkok, Thailand
23
Tell Camellia
Hong Kong, China
24
Aha Saloon
Taipei, Taiwan
25
Quinary
Hong Kong, China
26
The Pontiac
Hong Kong, China
27
High Five
Tokyo, Japan
28
The Wise King
Hong Kong, China
29
Barbary Coast
Singapore
30
Penicillin
Hong Kong, China
31
Union Trading Company
Shanghai, China
32
Speak Low
Shanghai, China
33
Union Brasserie, Bakery and Bar
Jakarta, Indonesia
34
Bar Cham
Seoul, South Korea
35
Backstage Cocktail Bar
Bangkok, Thailand
36
Tippling Club
Singapore
37
Junglebird
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
38
The Curator
Manila, Philippines
39
D.Bespoke
Singapore
40
Darkside
Hong Kong, China
41
Alice
Seoul, South Korea
42
The Old Man
Singapore
43
Bar Trench
Tokyo, Japan
44
Le Chamber
Seoul, South Korea
45
MO Bar
Singapore
46
Vesper
Bangkok, Thailand
47
Three X Co
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
48
Teens of Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand
49
Sago House
Singapore
50
Star Bar
Tokyo, Japan
How Did Your Region Fare?
Below is a list of regions that made the list and how many bars each location has in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.
Singapore 12
Hong Kong 9
Japan 6
Thailand 5
Taiwan 4
China 4
korea 4
Malaysia 3
Philippines 1
India 1
Indonesia 1
