Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024: 51-100 List Unveiled
On July 9, 2024, Asia's 50 Best Bars revealed this year's rankings for the 51st to 100th best bars, marking the fourth release of this expanded list. This year's list features top bars from 19 cities across Asia, including 15 new entries. The list not only reflects the diversity and innovation in Asia's bartending scene but also provides customers with more opportunities to explore high-quality bars. Founded in 2016, the Asia's 50 Best Bars event is selected by an anonymous panel of judges, ensuring the list's fairness and diversity. The 51-100 list serves as a precursor to the top 50 rankings, with this year's awards ceremony taking place on July 16, 2024, in Hong Kong and broadcast live on the 50 Best Facebook and YouTube channels.
Singapore Leading the Pack
Singapore stands out in this year's list, with eight bars making the cut. These bars showcase Singapore's strength as a hub for Asia's drinking culture. Ranked 57th, Republic impresses with its luxurious decor and a cocktail menu inspired by 1960s art, film, fashion, and music. No Sleep Club jumped fourteen places to 60th, beloved by customers for its innovative drinks and relaxed atmosphere.
Strong Performances in Bangkok and Tokyo
Bangkok has six bars on the list. Tropic City, at 62nd, attracts many customers with its tropical design and creative cocktails. New entry Firefly ranks 83rd and is known for its whimsical cocktails and live jazz music, located in the luxurious lobby of Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel. Also new to the list is Dry Wave Cocktail Studio at 98th, helmed by seasoned bartender Supawit ‘Palm’ Muttarattana, offering both classic and creative drinks.
Tokyo also boasts five bars on the list. New entrant Tokyo Confidential ranks 53rd, renowned for its avant-garde design and refined cocktails at its rooftop craft cocktail bar. Folklore, at 74th, is a modern minimalist space focused on cutting-edge sake and shochu cocktails, while the famous High Five takes the 87th spot.
Hong Kong, Seoul, and Shanghai
Hong Kong has four bars on the list, highlighting its status in Asia's drinking culture. Seoul's Soko ranks 51st, topping the list. New entry Gong Gan ranks 89th, located in a traditional Korean house with modern design elements and a focus on reused materials. Shanghai's dynamic and lively E.P.I.C climbed sixteen places to 54th, while the newly renovated Sober Company reentered the list at 92nd.
Impressive Performance from Taipei and Tainan Bars
Taiwanese bars also performed well this year. New entry The Han-jia from Tainan ranks 79th, combining industrial design elements and luxurious spaces, offering a global whisky selection and creative cocktails, becoming a new favorite for drinking enthusiasts. Moonrock, at 100th, stands out with its eye-catching illustrated lightbox sign, clever window placement in a local old house, and poetic lighting design. The bar blends new and old elements, showcasing contemporary design. Moonrock’s bartenders meticulously craft creative drinks to suit every cocktail lover, making it a unique and unforgettable drinking spot. Taipei’s space-themed bar To Infinity & Beyond (61st), the sensory experience-focused Under Lab (72nd), and the classic cocktail-only “Wu” (Nothingness) (94th) also feature on the list, demonstrating the diversity and innovation of Taiwan's bartending scene.
Other Southeast Asian Countries
Malaysia’s Three X Co (56th), Coley (70th), and Junglebird (80th) are all representatives of Kuala Lumpur’s drinking culture. New Delhi’s new entrant Lair ranks 68th, a modern-style speakeasy.
Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City has two bars on the list, with new entrant Drinking & Healing ranking 99th, known for its industrial decor and creative cocktails using local ingredients.
The 51-100 list of Asia's 50 Best Bars for 2024 showcases the diversity and innovation of bars across Asia, offering more choices for global bar enthusiasts. These bars not only surprise customers with their flavors but also create unique experiences in terms of visuals and ambiance. As these bars continue to develop and innovate, the future of Asia's bartending scene looks even more promising.
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Sources: Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 51-100 list announcement
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