6 must-visit Asia’s 50 Best Bars before the 2026 awards drop

As the cocktail world braces for the unveiling of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, speculation about which venues will secure top honours is reaching its peak. From historic powerhouses that continually redefine hospitality to low-key neighbourhood joints that have quietly become essential destinations, these six bars represent the absolute pinnacle of regional mixology

Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo

Picture: Instagram @benfiddich_tokyo

For those seeking a transcendent, farm-to-glass cocktail experience, Hiroyasu Kayama’s iconic Tokyo bar operates more like an apothecary's sanctuary than a traditional drinking den. With no formal menu, Kayama crafts tailored elixirs using rare vintage spirits and home-grown botanicals, spices and herbs cultivated on his family farm. Watching him grind spices in a mortar and pestle before pouring liquid history into rustic glassware explains why this intimate venue remains one of the most revered cocktail shrines in Asia.

Bar Leone, Hong Kong

Picture: Instagram @barleonehk

Since bursting onto the scene, Lorenzo Antinori’s Roman-inspired neighbourhood bar in Central has captured the imagination of cocktail lovers far beyond Hong Kong. Eschewing overly complicated centrifuges and abstract garnishes, Bar Leone focuses on the beauty of "cocktails popolari" – approachable, perfectly balanced classics served alongside legendary mortadella sandwiches. Having quickly claimed top honours on the regional stage, its unpretentious charm, warm Italian hospitality and flawless execution keep it at the very heart of the 50 Best conversation.

BKK Social Club, Bangkok

Picture: Instagram @bkksocialclub

Housed inside the ultra-luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, BKK Social Club effortlessly captures the glamour, energy and art deco grandeur of Buenos Aires. Led by veteran bartender Philip Bischoff, the venue pairs Latin American flair with tropical Thai influences. Between its soaring green-tiled backbar, bespoke cigars and opulent, spirit-forward concoctions, it stands as a golden standard for hotel bar excellence across the region.

Jigger & Pony, Singapore

Picture: Instagram @jiggerandponysg

A true titan of Southeast Asian nightlife, Singapore’s Jigger & Pony stands as a masterclass in longevity and evolving hospitality. Located within the Amara Hotel, this sanctuary has remained a fixed fixture near the absolute top of the rankings for years. Known for its thoughtful, magazine-style annual menus that deconstruct classic cocktails with surgical precision, the bar seamlessly balances high-volume energy with intimate, white-glove service.

The Aubrey, Hong Kong

Picture: Instagram @theaubreyhk

Perched high above the city inside the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, The Aubrey offers an eccentric, high-fashion homage to 19th-century Japonisme culture. Cantered around a deeply curated izakaya dining experience and three distinct bar concepts, including an intimate omakase cocktail counter, the venue shines a dedicated spotlight on Japanese shochu and awamori. With breath-taking harbour views, dramatic velvet interiors, and world-class hospitality, it remains a formidable contender in the upper echelon of Asian cocktail culture.

Zest, Seoul

Picture: Instagram @zest.seoul

Representing the vanguard of South Korea’s booming bar scene, Zest, a portmanteau of "Zero" and "Waste", is redefining eco-conscious mixology in Gangnam. Founded by a powerhouse team of Seoul bartending alumni, the sleek, minimalist space operates with a strict circular philosophy: processing whole local fruits, upcycling ingredients into custom gins and eliminating single-use waste. Zest proves that high-level sustainability and refined, modern luxury can exist in total harmony.

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