Image Credit: Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Recently, the biggest bars in the Asian continent travelled to Hong Kong for the yearly Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 awards ceremony. Held at the Rosewood Hong Kong and sponsored by Perrier, the dazzling award show featured red carpets, interviews, recaps of previous years’ events and, of course, copious amounts of cocktails.
COA, Jigger & Pony and BKK Social Club, have been crowned the three best bars in the whole of Asia.
Hong Kong’s very own COA retained The Best Bar in Asia title once again, but Bangkok’s BKK Social Club made a big leap from 10th last year to number three. Here are the top five best bars in Asia.
World’s 50 Best Bar
1. COA, Hong Kong
Image Credit: COA
Serving some of the best handcrafted cocktails, COA is a Mexican-inspired bar located in the heart of Hong Kong. Opened by Jay Khan in 2017, the bar gets its name from the machete-like agave harvesting tool. It quickly gained popularity, finishing 12th in the Asia’s Best Bars 2019 list – the highest new entry that year. COA has now sealed its place in bar-lore as it became Asia’s Best Bar for the third year in a row.
Be magically transported to the home of tequila when you step into COA. The Mexican-inspired interior features colourful murals on the wall as well as rustic brick, wood and concrete details. With over 15 years of bartending experience, Jay Khan has curated one of the best cocktail lists on the Asian continent. Together with over 200 bottles of different Mexican liquors, COA stirs up a heady list of sensational mixes. With its shelves featuring Mexican spirits like Raicilla, Bacanora, Sotol and Charanda, COA will have you thirsting for more.
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
Image Credit: Jigger and Pony
Inspired by the double-coned tool used to measure alcohol, Jigger and Pony opened in 2012. This Latin-influenced bar brings you a festive environment and an engaging crowd. Its extensive menu includes up to 24 classic cocktails that are served with a new and improved twist, making a visit here a trip of discovery. While finishing second in Asia, Jigger and Pony remains the Best Bar in Singapore for the third time in a row, as well as being crowned the Rémy Martin Legend of the List.
3. BKK Social Club, Thailand
Image Credit: Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Located at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, BKK Social Club is here to serve you some of the best drinks in the City of Angels. The bar reflects the glamorous lifestyle and charm of Bueno Aires through the refreshing cocktails, craft spirits and the finest cigars all tied together with an irresistible ambience. Cocktails here are inspired by Argentinian and Latin American cultures, as well as famous people and places from Buenos Aires.
4. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
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With ingredients freshly grown by Benfiddich’s bartender, Hiroyasu Kayama, cocktails presented at this bar burst with flavours and freshness. Muddling ingredients together with high-quality alcohol, Kayama creates exquisite classic cocktails like the Old Fashion. Enter this illicit, drinking-den atmosphere and be immersed in all the details of a classic Japanese bar. From the absinthe fountains and wormwood sprig that swings from the cedar beams, Benfiddich is a must-visit.
5. Zest, Seoul
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This Korean bar is best known for its minimalist decor and minimal waste cocktails. Incorporating local Korean ingredients like Jeju Garibaldi, a famous fruit from South Korea’s Jeju Island, Zest gives its customers a taste of Korea in every sip. The bar also eliminates the use of plastic by creating its own carbonated drinks. Climbing up 43 places from the previous list, Zest is the winner of the Nikka Highest Climber Award as well as The Best Bar in Korea.
Read more, #SaturdaySip: Drinks From A To Z
