Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 51-100 List Revealed! Six Taiwanese Bars Make a Strong Showing

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Today, July 3rd, the highly anticipated Asia's 50 Best Bars has unveiled its 2025 extended list, ranking venues from 51-100. This announcement serves as a prelude to the official awards ceremony to be held in Macau on July 15th. The extended list is not just a symbol of honor but also a showcase of the breadth and depth of Asia's cocktail culture, featuring 14 new entries across 23 different destinations. What's most exciting for Taiwanese cocktail enthusiasts is that six of our bars have been recognized, with "Maltail" from Kaohsiung making its debut—a sign that Taiwan's sophisticated cocktail culture is flourishing beyond the capital.

The Pride of Taiwan: The Exquisite Craftsmanship and Innovative Spirit of Six Bars

Taiwan's performance this year is particularly impressive. The six bars on the list each have their own unique style and specialty, offering a glimpse into the exquisite skills and boundless creativity of Taiwanese bartenders.

Lab (Taipei, No. 57)

Making a remarkable debut, Lab has impressed the judges with its minimalist, cutting-edge aesthetic and scientific approach to mixology. Helmed by Makita Takafumi, who is described as "part scientist, part bartender", this honor is not only a recognition of his precise control over flavors but also a symbol of how modern mixology has become a multi-sensory experience blending art, chemistry, and creativity.

The Han-jia (Tainan, No. 59)

Hailing from the historic city of Tainan, The Han-jia is renowned for its whisky-led drinks program. This year, it climbed an impressive 20 spots to No. 59, proving its consistent and outstanding quality. It also shows that bars specializing in a specific spirit can create a world-class drinking experience through deep expertise and refined techniques.

Wu (Nothingness) (Taipei, No. 66)

The performance of Wu (Nothingness) is equally stunning, as it soared 28 places to No. 66. Its charm lies in reinterpreting classic cocktails using local Taiwanese ingredients and spirits. This approach, which incorporates the concept of "terroir" into mixology, not only displays the bartenders' love and understanding of their homeland's produce but also gives a deeper cultural meaning to the drink in our hands.

Bar Mood (Taipei, No. 72) & Under Lab (Taipei, No. 73)

As mainstays of the Taipei bar scene, the continued presence of Bar Mood and Under Lab on the list, at No. 72 and No. 73 respectively, represents their stability and professionalism in maintaining a top-tier standard in a highly competitive environment.

Maltail (Kaohsiung, No. 75)

One of the biggest highlights this year is Maltail from Kaohsiung, securing the city's first-ever spot on the list! Maltail, a bar dedicated to single malt whisky cocktails, ranked at No. 75. Its inclusion is not just a recognition of the bar itself but also a significant milestone, declaring that Taiwan's top-tier cocktail culture is no longer confined to a single city and is now taking root in the south.

A Look Across Asia: Diverse Styles and Rising Forces

Beyond Taiwan's outstanding performance, the entire list reveals the vitality and diversity of Asia's bar scene.

List Leader and New Forces: Shenzhen's "Obsidian Bar" made its debut at No. 51, leading the extended list. The inclusion of "Sora" from Phnom Penh (No. 65) and "Maltail" from Kaohsiung (No. 75) also marks the first time these three cities have appeared on the rankings.

Strong Performances Across Nations: Singapore leads this year's list with six bars, while Taipei, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo each have four bars, showcasing their equally strong scenes. Notably, the Shanghai outpost of Hong Kong's legendary bar, Coa, also made its debut at No. 85.

The List 51-100

Conclusion: A Celebration of Craft and a Source of Inspiration

This 51-100 list is more than just a ranking; it's an annual recognition of the hard work of bartenders across Asia. In it, we see an exploration of local flavors, the inheritance of classic techniques, and the fearless innovation that pushes the boundaries of mixology. Each bar on the list represents countless nights of meticulous preparation and a relentless pursuit of the perfect flavor.

For all of us who love cocktail culture and its tools, this list is the ultimate pilgrimage guide and an endless source of inspiration. Let's celebrate the bars from Taiwan for their achievements and eagerly await the announcement of the full 1-50 list on July 15th!

source: theworlds50best.com