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!

“The list is compiled by votes from Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, which comprises 220 drinks experts, including renowned bartenders and educators, drinks writers and cocktail specialists from across the region.”

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.”

“In order to guarantee a fair relationship between the percentage of votes a country receives and their proportionate representation in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, in the event of a significant variance, Deloitte will apply a normalisation process to the voting data.”

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