Asia’s 50 Best Bars unveiled its 2023 winners at an extravagant event at Rosewood Hong Kong. This year’s celebration marked the first time Hong Kong hosted the prestigious awards, with a swarm of renowned bartenders, media personnel, and influencers in attendance. The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the top spot, which for the third consecutive year was awarded to Hong Kong’s Coa, triumphing over Singapore’s Jigger & Pony.
Coa’s founder, Jay Khan, expressed deep gratitude and surprise on receiving the honor for the third time, particularly in his hometown. Khan, who began his career working in karaoke bars, reflected on the transformative journey of Hong Kong’s bar scene and his pride in representing it.
In total, eight Hong Kong bars featured in the 2023 edition, matching the city’s previous performance. Newcomer Mostly Harmless debuted at #33, and The Old Man re-entered the list at #47, a significant leap from its #81 position last year. Other key winners included Sago House in Singapore, which won the art of hospitality award, and Seoul’s Zest, which jumped from #48 to #5, earning the highest climber award.
Hong Kong’s performance wasn’t the only notable aspect of this year’s event. For the first time, Vender from Taichung, Taiwan, entered the list at #41, showcasing its unique concept inspired by vending machines. The awards also highlighted the growing prominence of South Korea’s bar scene, with six entries, two of which were new. In addition, Singapore continued to demonstrate its bartending prowess, matching its previous record with 11 bars featured.
The 2023 edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars marked several significant shifts in Asia’s bar scene, celebrating the region’s diverse and vibrant mix of venues and talents. As the bartending community and enthusiasts now look towards the World’s 50 Best Bars awards, set to be hosted by Singapore in October, there is much anticipation for what the future holds for the industry.
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