Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019: Lo and Behold, China is Asia’s New Cocktail Capital

With 12 contenders making it to the ultra exclusive Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019 list, China is Asia’s new cocktail capital. Singapore comes close behind, with 11 bars making it to the list.

Hong Kong cocktail bar The Old Man emerges as champion of Asia’s 50 Best Bars this year, dethroning Manhattan Bar from its coveted title of Asia’s Best Bar.

However, Manhattan Bar doesn’t fall short, as it comes in second place and remains as Singapore’s very best. It is also worth mentioning that Manhattan Bar has been awarded Legend of the List, an award to celebrate the cocktail bar’s excellent consistency throughout the years.

Nutmeg & Clove (ranked no. 33 last year) is sadly out of the picture this year, but we are certain that they will make a comeback in the foreseeable future.

There are many new entrants this year, namely Coa, Hong Kong (no. 12) and The SG Club, Tokyo (no. 13).

Here is the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019’s winners:

1. The Old Man, Hong Kong, China
2. Manhattan, Singapore
3. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
4. Native, Singapore
5. Atlas, Singapore
6. High Five, Tokyo
7. Speak Low, Shanghai, China
8. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
10. Quinary, Hong Kong, China
11. Tippling Club, Singapore
12. Coa, Hong Kong, China (new)
13. The SG Club,Tokyo (new)
14. Charles H, Seoul
15. Gibson, Singapore
16. Sober Company, Shanghai, China
17. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
18. The Wise King, Hong Kong, China (new)
19. Le Chamber, Seoul
20. Backstage Cocktail Bar, Bangkok
21. 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore
22. Operation Dagger, Singapore
23. Bar Trench, Tokyo
24. Aha Saloon, Taipei (back!)
25. D.Bespoke, Singapore
26. Vesper, Bangkok
27. Coley, Kuala Lumpur (Best Bar in Malaysia)
28. Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo
29. Alice Cheongdam, Seoul
30. Union Trading Company, Shanghai, China
31. Tropic City, Bangkok  (new)
32. The Pontiac, Hong Kong, China
33. Lobster Bar & Grill Hong Kong, China
34. Rabbit Hole, Bangkok
35. Hope & Sesame, Guang Zhou, China
36. Stockton, Hong Kong, China
37. The Curator, Manila (Best Bar in Philippines)
38. 8 ½ Otto E Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong, China
39. Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar, Jakarta (Best Bar in Indonesia)
40. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur (new)
41. Employees Only, Singapore
42. Smalls, Bangkok
43. Bar Mood, Taipei (new)
44. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
45. Draft Land, Taipei (new)
46. The Other Room, Singapore
47. Oto, Manila (new)
48. Teens of Thailand, Bangkok
49. Mixology Salon, Tokyo
50. The Back Room, Manila (new)