Lorenzo Antinori’s Bar Leone Hong Kong takes the top position at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 in Macao

Italy maintains its prominent position in the global bartending scene, with Lorenzo Antinori’s Bar Leone in Hong Kong securing the top spot at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, announced last evening at the Wynn Palace in Macau. Owned and operated by Antinori—whose past roles include Argo Hong Kong and Dandelyan (crowned World’s Best Bar in 2018)—Bar Leone is renowned for its ‘cocktail popolari.’ The menu showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of classic cocktails with subtle, intriguing twists, all while embracing its identity as a neighborhood bar. Drawing inspiration from Rome’s Trastevere district, where Antinori grew up, the bar’s wood-paneled walls are decorated with football memorabilia and vintage Italian posters, creating a nostalgic ambiance. Emphasizing simplicity and consistency, Bar Leone’s offerings include drinks like the Filthy Martini—made with smoked olive brine—and their signature mortadella focaccia. The bar also made an impressive debut on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024, achieving the No.2 spot.

Securing the second position is Zest in Seoul, a bar renowned for its sustainability efforts, which maintains its position from 2024 as The Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Tia Maria, for the third consecutive year. Singapore’s Jigger & Pony, a neighborhood hotel bar, remains in third place, earning the title of The Best Bar in Singapore, sponsored by Torres Brandy, for six straight years. The 2025 list includes bars from 20 cities across Asia, with an exciting 20 new entries. Bangkok has overtaken Singapore as Asia’s cocktail capital, boasting seven bars on the list, led by Bar Us at No.4, named The Best Bar in Thailand, sponsored by Amaro Lucano.

Italian bartenders continue to be well-represented, including Saverio Casella, Principal Bartender at No.3 Jigger & Pony Singapore; Federico Balzarini, Beverage Manager at No.11 Argo Hong Kong; Silvio Daniele, General Manager of No.38 Cosmo Pony Jakarta; Matteo Cadeddu, Bar Manager of No.43 Opium Bangkok; and Marco Dongi of No.48 Bar Sathorn Bangkok.

In addition to the ranking, the ceremony also celebrated venues such as Hanoi’s Workshop14 with the Campari One to Watch award and Kathmandu’s Barc with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality award. Bartenders receiving individual awards included Jay Khan from Coa Hong Kong who was honoured with the Roku Industry Icon Award while Andrew Ho from Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame won the Altos Bartender’s Bartender award.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, commented: “Asia’s bars are consistently redefining cocktail excellence through talent and creativity. With 20 new entries—the most in recent years—this list reflects the innovative spirit of Asia’s bartending scene, offering unforgettable drink experiences for enthusiasts. Congratulations to Lorenzo Antinori and the team at Bar Leone on retaining the No.1 position, and for delivering a consistently outstanding hospitality experience that brings a touch of Rome to Hong Kong.”

Asia will continue to be at the forefront when the next World’s 50 Best Bars are announced in Hong Kong on October 8, 2025.

Italian version of article available on Bargiornale.