Top Asian Bars Ranked for 2025: A List of the 50 Outstanding Watering Holes
Lorenzo Antinori, a renowned Italian bartender and mixologist, has been instrumental in the success of Bar Leone in Hong Kong, which has secured the top spot in Asia’s 50 Best Bars for two years running.
Antinori's vision for Bar Leone involves blending traditional Italian elements with modern creativity, creating a unique cocktail experience. The neighborhood-style bar has quickly become a popular spot for after-hours gatherings, rapidly gaining acclaim less than a year after its opening.
Bar Leone's success can be attributed to Antinori's innovative approach to mixology and his ability to connect Italian culture with the Asian market, making him a prominent figure in the international bartending scene. His leadership and creative direction have been instrumental in reshaping the cocktail landscape across Asia, setting high standards for hospitality and creativity in the region.
The bar serves a taste of the Eternal City with bar snacks like mortadella focaccia, anchovy and parsley oil crostino, and smoked olives. The menu features outstanding Negronis and Olive Oil Sours, for which Bar Leone is known.
In the 2024 ranking, Seoul's Zest and Singapore's Jigger & Pony retained their spots at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Bangkok had seven bars in the top 50, including the debut of Dry Wave Cocktail Studio at No. 5. Bar Charm in Seoul is ranked at No. 6, while Argo, another award-winning bar, is known as No. 11 on this year's 50 Best Bars in Asia list.
Lorenzo Antinori recently partnered with Simone Caporale to open a second venue in Hong Kong this summer, inspired by the golden ages of Cuba and Miami in the 1970s. Montana, as the new venue is named, serves classics like the daquiri and El Presidente.
Caporale, who previously worked at London's Artesian at The Langham, the world's best bar from 2012 to 2015, helped create Sips in Barcelona, which placed first on the World's 50 Best Bars in 2023. Sips in Barcelona also ranked third in the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2022.
New Delhi's Lair, a new entry, came in at eighth place, while Soka in Bangalore is ranked at No. 28. Boilermaker in Bangalore is ranked at No. 30, and ZLB23 in Bangalore is ranked at No. 31. Bar Us in Bangkok jumped 17 spots from last year, now ranking at No. 4. Bar Leone dethroned Hong Kong's three-time winner Coa last summer, barely a year after opening.
In the world of mixology, Antinori's name continues to shine brightly, as he continues to push the boundaries of cocktail creation and cultural fusion.
In alignment with his innovative approach, Antinori's vision for Bar Leone extends beyond exceptional cocktails, offering a lifestyle experience that seamlessly blends food-and-drink with entertainment, making it a standout destination. As the bar's reputation grows, it competes not only in the realm of drinks but also in the broader context of the entertainment industry.
