Eastern Fulfilment

Hamish Smith highlights the top achievers in the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars

______________________________________

MANHATTAN from Singapore took the title of Asia’s best bar in the second edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.

Now owned by William Reed Business Media, along with the World’s 50 Best Bars, Asia’s 50 Best Bars is voted for by close to 200 Asian drinks professionals.

Manhattan jumped from fifth in 2016 to top spot this year, overtaking last year’s winner 28 Hongkong Street, also from Singapore, which finished fourth.

Speak Low from Shanghai was a non-mover in second place, as was High Five from Tokyo in third. Indulge Bistro from Taipei debuted at five.

Singapore was crowned Asia’s cocktail capital with 13 of the 50 bars. Hong Kong provided eight bars, while Bangkok, Tokyo and Seoul featured five times. Shanghai and Taipei had three bars each in the list.

Bars from Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Nara and Beijing also featured, while India debuted with Aer Bar & Lounge from Mumbai.

ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS

No.1 Manhattan, Singapore

No.2 Speak Low, Shanghai, China

No.3 High Five, Tokyo, Japan

No.4 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore

No.5 Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan

No.6 Operation Dagger, Singapore

No.7 Quinary, Hong Kong, China

No.8 Stockton, Hong Kong, China

No.9 The Union Trading Company, Shanghai, China

No.10 Lobster Bar, Hong Kong, China

No.11 Tippling Club, Singapore

No.12 Atlas, Singapore

No.13 The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

No.14 Gibson, Singapore

No.15 Alice Cheongdam, Seoul, South Korea

No.16 The Pontiac, Hong Kong, China

No.17 Employees Only Singapore, Singapore

No.18 Backstage Cocktail Bar, Bangkok, Thailand

No.19 Sober Company, Shanghai, China

No.20 Native, Singapore

No.21 Jigger & Pony, Singapore, Singapore

No.22 Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan

No.23 The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, Manila, Philippines

No.24 Zuma, Hong Kong, China

No.25 Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo, Japan

No.26 81/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong, China

No.27 Charles H, Seoul, South Korea

No.28 Bar Trench, Tokyo, Japan

No.29 D.Bespoke, Singapore

No.30 Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore

No.31 Star Bar, Tokyo, Japan

No.32 Le Chamber, Seoul, South Korea

No.33 Janes + Hooch, Beijing, China

No.34 Q&A Bar, Bangkok, Thailand

No.35 The Other Room, Singapore

No.36 Lamp Bar, Nara, Japan

No.37 Aer Bar & Lounge, Mumbai, India

No.38 Sugarhall, Singapore

No.39 East End, Taipei, Taiwan

No.40 Vesper Cocktail Bar & Restaurant, Bangkok, Thailand

No.41 Omakase + Appreciate, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

No.42 The Chinnery, Hong Kong, China

No.43 Potato Head Beach Club, Bali, Indonesia

No.44 Bar D.Still, Seoul, South Korea

No.45 ABV, Makati, Philippines

No.46 Teens of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand

No.47 Keepers, Seoul, South Korea

No.48 Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour, Hong Kong, China

No.49 Club Boys Saloon, Taipei, Taiwan

No.50 The Night Rooster, Bali, Indonesia