Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026

Hope and Sesame, The Best Bar in Asia 2026

The results for Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 just dropped on July 28 at a well-organized ceremony at Wynn Palace in Macau. The rankings brought some exciting surprises to the cocktail world, voted on by over 300 academy members. This year's list spans 22 cities with 14 new entries, proving that the region's bar scene is constantly changing.

Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou snatched the No. 1 spot, officially making history as The Best Bar in Asia. Located behind a traditional Cantonese store in the historic Dongshankou district, founders Bastien Ciocca and Andrew Ho completely flipped the script for Mainland China's cocktail scene by pushing technical boundaries with inventive elixirs inspired by regional flavors and Cantonese cuisine.

When asked about what it means for a Guangzhou establishment rather than a venue in Beijing or Shanghai to claim the top spot in China and Asia, Andrew replied, "We view mainland China as an interconnected community. Everyone is close, and numerous bars from the region have performed exceptionally well this year. We are thrilled because this milestone is long overdue."

Bastien explains how the human aspect is a key to the success of Hope and Sesame: "There is personality in what we do that reflects who we are. For example, to honor Andrew's marriage, our menu was a Cantonese banquet where every cocktail was inspired by a wedding dish. A local guest feels touched by the personal connection, while a traveler learns something new. Each menu tells a story about where we come from and what we want to share, bringing a personality people truly feel."

Meanwhile, Seoul's minimalist and sustainable powerhouse Zest locked in the No. 2 spot for the third year running as The Best Bar in Korea, while Hong Kong's neighborhood favorite Bar Leone rounded out the top three at No. 3.

The surprises kept rolling when looking at the city showdowns. Bangkok flexed as a regional powerhouse, dominating the top 50 with a massive eight entries, closely followed by Hong Kong with seven. But the real plot twist belonged to Mainland China, which scored its highest-ever tally with seven total spots, fueled by Shenzhen crashing the top 10 with MO Bar Shenzhen flying up to No. 5 and newcomer Obsidian Bar landing at No. 10.

Bangkok's retro, Great Gatsby-inspired Lennon's debuted with a massive splash at No. 7 to snag the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, while fellow Bangkok hotspot Bar Sathorn pulled off a massive leap of 31 places to claim No. 17 and the Nikka Highest Climber Award. Over in Singapore, Jigger & Pony co-founder Indra Kantono was crowned with the Roku Industry Icon Award at No. 9, and Hanoi's Workshop14 continued its rise to No. 34, taking home both The Best Bar in Vietnam title and the Three Cents Best New Opening Award.

Hats Bar, Campari One to Watch Award

"Demi" Dana Paramita, whose venue Hats ranked at No. 77 on the extended 51 to 100 list as the winner of the Campari One to Watch award, shared her thoughts on the success of Hats and Jakarta's bar scene: "When people return to Jakarta after traveling abroad, they seek a similar international experience at home. Recognition and awards helped transform Jakarta into a travel destination rather than just a place for business. In recent months, more overseas visitors have arrived specifically for holidays, boosting exposure for local cocktails, spirits, and the hospitality industry."

Meet The Bartenders featuring CMYK, Lennon’s, Nutmeg & Clove, Three X Co and Alice

Ahead of the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 reveal, a speed-dating-style Meet the Bartenders media event took place at Wynn Palace. Journalists engaged with five standout bar teams to discuss the human element, hospitality, and the cultural narratives shaping modern cocktail creation.

Lennon's in Bangkok, which secured the No. 7 ranking, is located on the 30th floor of Rosewood Bangkok, pairing skyline views and vintage vinyl with a deep appreciation for Thai flavors. Director of Bars KT Lam and Bar Manager James Kamja weave Thailand's stories into their menu, famously reimagining beloved local staples like mango sticky rice into refined, contemporary drinks. KT shared his views on guest shifts: "We try to limit our pop-ups to once a month and involve two bars at a time to keep things interesting for everyone. The good thing is, of course, we get more exposure, but on the other hand, you can also lose your identity."

Three X Co in Kuala Lumpur, which placed at No. 32, is hidden behind a barber shop and has evolved into one of Malaysia's premier cocktail destinations. Co-founder Angeline Tan and Bar Manager Rachel Hor foster an adventurous yet inclusive drinking culture. Angeline Tan told us how Three X Co was first born: "All of us came back from overseas and we just wanted a place where we could drink fine cocktails. At that time, really, there was only Coley just open and Omakase + Appreciate. But we wanted a space that was more comfortable where people can sit, drink, and have a bigger space."

Nutmeg & Clove in Singapore, ranked at No. 12, was founded in 2014 by industry pioneer Colin Chia and honors Singapore's rich history through a progressive cocktail program. Colin Chia shared his thoughts on modern customers: "The pandemic has changed everybody's behavior. What did they do? Run, cycle, bake. I lost 32 kilograms, so I also look at what I put into my body, and it is the same for consumers. When customers come to a bar, it is not just about spending their money with us. They are spending their money, their time, and their calories, and we need to make that worthwhile for them."

CMYK in Changsha, placed at No. 27, is a high-energy cosmopolitan bar set in a converted historic residence. Co-founders Ethan Liu and Tommy Wong offer a dynamic guest experience that champions sustainability and clarity of flavor. Tommy explains how they chose to open a bar in Changsha: "While working as the China head for Proof and Company, Changsha was one of the stops that Ethan made that left a very deep impression on him. In 2021, he asked me, 'Hey, what about Changsha? Do you want to take a look?' My daughter was just about to be born, so I was initially reluctant. But he brought me over, and the city won me over." Ethan also added regarding awards and identity: "After you get on the list or after any exposure, not just on 50 Best, but any exposure, you cannot change your course. You have to keep your core identity."

Alice in Seoul, coming in at No. 13, located behind a Gangnam flower shop as a wood-paneled sanctuary inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic tale. Owner Terry Kim and General Manager Mason Park deliver imaginative, seasonally driven menus. Mason explains the concept: "Our Alice bar comes with the concept of Alice in Wonderland. So we want people to come to be like escape the real world, and they're going to be just coming to our bar, they just forget it everything and just fun and enjoy with the drinking together." Terry also noted: "Trends come and go like waves. That is why we have to keep our concept consistent and focus on our signature cocktails."