It is without heavy debate that Singapore stands as one of the top destinations in Asia for nightlife lovers with its seemingly endless number of world-class-level bar establishments. Just a few moments ago, the results for Asia’s 50 Best Bars were announced and boy was it a shake-up for the nerves.
Tightening its grip on being one of Asia’s best, Singapore once again showed dominance in the rankings with a total of 11 bar establishments from Singapore securing their place on the coveted top 50 list—the highest from any country in Asia followed closely by Hong Kong with 8. Read on for the complete list of winners as well as the Singapore bars that made it on this year’s list.
No. 1 In Asia 2020 – Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
Just four years ago, Singapore bar Jigger & Pony made its debut in the first-ever edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Just last year, it won the Highest Climber Award, leaping 33 spots up the list, and this year it swoops in to take the top award as The Best Bar in Asia 2020.
For those who have been, it’s unsurprising judging from their repertoire of excellent drinks and the bar crews fun and warm hospitality. Their drinks menu appears in the form of a fully-fledged printed magazine that’s full of interesting articles about the Asian cocktail scene. Giovanni Graziadei heads the bar and following his lead is an international team that does well to conjure up a party atmosphere that’s always convivial, but never rowdy.
Top 10 Bars Of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020
1. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
2. The Old Man (Hong Kong)
3. Coa (Hong Kong)
4. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei, Taiwan) – Heering Legend Of The List
5. ATLAS (Singapore)
6. NATIVE (Singapore)
7. The Bamboo Bar (Bangkok, Thailand) – The Best Bar In Thailand
8. Manhattan (Singapore) – Michter’s Art Of Hospitality Award
9. The SG Club (Tokyo, Japan) – The Best Bar In Japan
10. Aha Saloon (Taipei, Taiwan)
Singapore Bars That Made It Onto 2020’s List
- Jigger & Pony
- ATLAS
- NATIVE
- Manhattan
- Tippling Club
- The Old Man
- D. Bespoke
- Gibson
- 28 Hong Kong Street
- Nutmeg & Clove
- MO Bar
Full List Of Winners Of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020
50. Cham Bar (Seoul, South Korea) – New Entry
49. Le Chamber (Seoul, South Korea)
48. Coley (KL, Malaysia)
47. ALICE (Seoul, South Korea)
46. MO Bar (Singapore) – New Entry
45. The Back Room (Manila, Philippines)
44. Lobster Bar & Grill (Hong Kong)
43. Union Brasserie Bakery & Bar (Jakarta, Indonesia) – The Best Bar In Indonesia
42. The Curator (Manila, Philippines) – The Best Bar In The Philippines
41. Bar Orchard Ginza (Tokyo, Japan)
40. Sidecar (New Delhi, India) – New Entry & The Best Bar In India
39. Bar Trench (Tokyo, Japan)
38. The Odd Couple (Shanghai, China)
37. Junglebird (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
36. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou, China)
35. The Pontiac (Hong Kong)
34. Caprice Bar (Hong Kong) – New Entry
33. Backstage Cocktail Bar (Bangkok, Thailand)
32. Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
31. Rabbit Hole (Bangkok, Thailand)
30. 28 Hong Kong Street (Singapore)
29. Charles H (Seoul, South Korea) – The Best Bar In Korea
28. Otto E Mezzo Bombana (Hong Kong)
27. Room By Le Kief (Taipei, Taiwan)
26. Draftland (Taipei, Taiwan)
25. Gibson (Singapore)
24. Tropic City (Bangkok, Thailand)
23. D. Bespoke (Singapore)
22. The Old Man (Singapore) – London Essence Best New Opening Award
21. Bee’s Knees (Kyoto, Japan) – Disaronno Highest New Entry Award
20. High Five (Tokyo, Japan)
19. Speak Low (Shanghai, China)
18. The Wise King (Hong Kong)
17. Tippling Club (Singapore)
16. Quinary (Hong Kong)
15. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo, Japan)
14. Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) – Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award
13. Bar Mood (Taipei, Taiwan) – Seedlip Highest Climber Award
12. Sober Company (Shanghai, China)
11. Vesper (Bangkok, Thailand)
Additional Awards
Campari One To Watch Winner – No Sleep Club (Singapore)
Doubling up as a cool cafe and a spanking bar, No Sleep Club is a cutting-edge all-day concept that intelligently combines the best of cocktails, coffee and cuisine. Starting out from humble roots being one of the smallest cocktail bars in the country, No Sleep Club quickly emerged as one of Singapore’s latest hot bar topic. Open from early morning until late at night, the bar curates a multi-faceted experience for all of its guests, tying together great coffee, world-class cocktails, noteworthy food and warm, personable hospitality.
Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award – Jay Khan (Coa, Hong Kong)
Co-founder and director of Coa, Jay Khan is every bit as chilled out as a person who dabbles in skateboarding, but don’t let his laid-back demeanour fool you because the man’s a visionary and it’s proven through how far he’s taken Coa. The intimate, specialist basement bar become one of the most talked-about destinations in Asia and the world and it’s all thanks to him.
Armed with a mad passion for Mexican drinks and bartending as a whole, he has almost single-handedly raised the profile of Mexican spirits in his home city of Hong Kong.
Industry Icon Award – Agung Prabowo (The Old Man, Hong Kong)
The Industry Icon Award is a prestigious accolade given to exemplary individuals of the bartending world who have risen through the ranks from humble beginnings to iconic status. This year’s award went to Agung Prabowo of The Old Man, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Despite facing prejudice against his chosen profession as a young man, Agung Prabowo believes in the nobility of bartending and his biggest leap came with the opening of his first independent bar, The Old Man, back in 2017. The Old Man has been a hit since its inception and has since secured its place on coveted Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for three years running.
Ketel One Sustainable Award 2020 – Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur
One bar that has consistently been leading the trail and paving the way toward sustainability and climate-conscious bartending is Bar Trigona. Through their many efforts—which have earned them the title of Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award for the second year running—industry professionals all over Asia and the world have come to recognise this Malaysian bar as the continent’s most sustainable businesses.
When it comes to spirits distribution, Bar Trigona employs what is known as ecoSpirits, a method whereby spirits are transported via reusable vessels known as ecoTotes, which bartenders use to fill their own bottles. Through this practice, they have managed to reduce up to 80% of its carbon footprint related to spirits consumption.
Check out the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2019.
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