For the first time in three years, there’s a new name topping the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.
Bar Leone, the Roman-inspired aperitivo bar led by Italian native Lorenzo Antinori, made an unprecedented and explosive debut on the respected list, knocking three-time winner Coa off the coveted top spot. It secured not only the No. 1 position to be crowned the Best Bar in Asia 2024, but a further duo of accolades: the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award 2024 as well as the Best Bar in Hong Kong 2024.
Image courtesy of Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Antinori, formerly of Argo at the Four Seasons Hong Kong hotel, co-founded Bar Leone in the summer of 2023 with the goal of crafting simple, accessible cocktails for the people. His lively, vibrant destination, tucked away in the upper reaches of the Sheung Wan neighbourhood, is an ode to the down-to-earth watering holes found in Rome, and serves a mean martini and raved-about Negronis, alongside bar snacks like the mortadella focaccia, anchovy and parsley oil crostino, and smoked olives. Bar Leone has already proven itself to be a huge hit with local and international patrons since it opened one year ago, and now has the stripes to reinforce its popularity.
Image courtesy of Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Returning to Hong Kong for its ninth edition, the results of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, sponsored by Perrier, was revealed to a 700-strong gathering of mixologists, industry representatives, and members of the media on the evening of 16 July at a live ceremony hosted at Rosewood Hong Kong in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Bars from 18 different locations across Asia were honoured; destinations like Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and Bangkok expectedly well-represented in the top 50, though surprises were in the offing as well, with Barc (No. 39) in Kathmandu, ZLB23 (No. 40) in Bengaluru, and The Haflington (No. 47) in Hanoi entering the list for the first time.
Zest in Seoul takes home the No. 2 spot as well as the Naked Malt-sponsored Best Bar in Korea 2024 award, while mixologist Dohyung “Demie” Kim was named the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2024 winner. Singapore’s Jigger & Pony was doubly honoured with No. 3 on the list and the title of Best Bar in Singapore, sponsored by Tia Maria. (It has also famously not left the top 10 of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for the past six years.) Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich (No. 5), helmed by Kayama Hiroyasu, remains in the top five, and is also crowned the Best Bar in Japan.
Image courtesy of The Savory Project
Meanwhile, nine Hong Kong bars found placement on the list, with four making the top 10, as well as two new entries. Aside from Bar Leone’s meteoric first appearance, Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung’s The Savory Project catapulted to No. 19 for its debut, and its range of unconventional tipples has also earned it the London Essence Best New Opening Award 2024. Other Hong Kong destinations include Coa, which has moved to No. 4 after dominating the No. 1 honour for a record three years, and Argo, dropping one place to No. 9. The Aubrey scaled the ranks to No. 10; Darkside moved down to No. 17, and Penicillin rose two positions to No. 24. Likewise, Quinary climbed up to No. 26, and Mostly Harmless is awarded the No. 45 spot after debuting on last year’s list.
Image courtesy of The Aubrey
In an official statement, Antinori says that “the feeling of standing atop the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list is one I never could have imagined just over a year ago, when we were just a small team. Hong Kong’s bar scene is a crucible of competition, constantly evolving to reflect the city’s vibrant diversity. To be recognised as the best in Asia is a true testament to the unwavering passion and relentless drive of our crew. We are beyond blessed to call Hong Kong home, and we will continue pouring our hearts into creating an experience that does justice to this remarkable city we love.”
See the full list of awarded bars below.
