Find yourself the Best Bars in Hong Kong
Yesterday, in the heart of the bustling city of Hong Kong, an electric atmosphere filled the air as over 800 of Asia’s most talented bartenders and drinks aficionados gathered for a momentous occasion: the grand unveiling of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023. This event, renowned for its authority and prestige in surveying cocktail tastes and trends, had found its way to Hong Kong for the very first time, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. The stage was set for a night of celebration, marking the triumph of Asia’s flourishing bar landscape while also shining a spotlight on Hong Kong’s vibrant and dynamic bar scene, showcasing it to the region’s top bartending talents.
Representatives from the Mainland, Taiwan, Japan,South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and India joined together in Hong Kong, creating a melting pot of expertise and creativity at the award ceremony. As the anticipation reached its peak, COA, the pride of Hong Kong, once again claimed the top spot for the third consecutive year.
Jay Khan, the passionate owner of COA, expressed his gratitude and joy, especially winning the coveted award in his hometown: “Of the three number ones, this one means the most. Taking out the top spot at Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the third year in a row feels surreal, and I could not be any more proud that it has happened in my hometown. I was born here, I grew up here, Hong Kong means everything to me. I’m very happy to represent Hong Kong. This award is testament to our incredible team, whose passion and hard work continues to not only push boundaries in the world of cocktails, especially as our homegrown bar scene, which champions creativity and diversity, continues to go from strength to strength.”
Mark Sansom, the Content Director for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, expressed sheer delight to be part of Hong Kong’s vibrant bar community for the first-ever event in this exhilarating city of gastronomy. The Hong Kong Tourism Board played a vital role in making this celebration possible. The bars across Asia continue to astound with their ingenuity and flair, evident in this year’s list, representing 17 cities across the continent. The honour of being at the pinnacle of this list rightfully goes to COA and Hong Kong, and applause goes to all the remarkable bars featured this year.
Hong Kong has long been a haven for food and drink enthusiasts, and its world-class bar scene further solidifies its place in the culinary world. Alongside COA, eight homegrown bars from Hong Kong showcased their excellence on the 2023 list. From the well-established favourites like Stalwart Argo (8), Darkside (9), The Aubrey (17), Penicillin (26), and Quinary (31), to the returning champion The Old Man (47), and the newcomer Mostly Harmless (33), the diversity of options demonstrates the ever-evolving nature of Hong Kong’s bar scene.
Celebrating the spirit of diversity, both gender and ethnicity played pivotal roles among the winners. The talented Beckaly Franks of The Pontiac in Hong Kong received the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, a well-deserved recognition from her peers at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.
With Asia’s 50 Best Bars arriving in Hong Kong, the city’s reputation as an exhilarating bar scene is further cemented on the world stage. The backdrop of this thriving metropolis undoubtedly contributed to the resounding success of the event, igniting a week-long celebration of the region’s drink culture. The city came alive with citywide activations and bartender guest shifts, featuring the industry’s leading figures from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Hong Kong’s world-class bar scene remains firmly in the spotlight, a captivating blend of traditional and progressive establishments that cater to every taste and style throughout the year.
As the night’s festivities came to a close, the reverberations of joy and camaraderie lingered in the air, leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving tapestry of Asia’s bar landscape.