For the first time in history, Asia has claimed the cocktail world’s crown with Hong Kong’s Bar Leone having been named No.1 at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, marking a defining moment in the global democratisation of drinking culture.
The world’s drinking compass just pointed east — and for the first time in history, it leads straight to Hong Kong. The World’s 50 Best Bars has named Bar Leone as the world’s top bar for 2025, the first time a bar from Asia has landed on the No.1 spot.
Unveiled last evening at a glittering ceremony in Hong Kong, the 17th edition of the awards celebrated a record 29 cities across six continents, spotlighting new entries from unexpected corners like Bratislava, Guangzhou, Lima, Oslo, and Tirana. The results are a far cry from the London- and New York-dominated lists of the past, underscoring how excellence in hospitality is transcending geography, language, and even price point, a watershed moment that signals a new era of democratisation in cocktail culture as more cities than ever join the world stage.
At the heart of this year’s story sits Bar Leone, the Hong Kong neighbourhood bar by cocktail legend Lorenzo Antinori positioned as a timeless tribute to Italian drinking culture. Built around the philosophy of “cocktail popolari” (cocktails for the people) the venue reimagines the Italian bar di quartiere through an approachable lens of warmth, quality, and cultural immersion.
That radical, whimsical accessibility — a stark contrast to your usual secretive speakeasy types or glittering hotel lounges — has led to Bar Leone’s stratospheric ascension on the 50 Best lists; it first burst unto Asia’s 50 Best Bars at the coveted No.1 spot in 2024 in barely a year from opening, and also a shocking No.2 spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars later that year. Bar Leone then reprised their win at Asia’s 50 Best Bars again this year, proving their earlier wins weren’t merely based on hype.
And now, it’s No.1 at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025.
“It’s a dazzling testament to Lorenzo and the Bar Leone team’s redefinition of hospitality excellence,” said Emma Sleight, The World’s 50 Best Bars’ Head of Content. “With more cocktail capitals represented than ever before, this ranking continues to serve as a vibrant compass for curious drinkers and passionate explorers alike.”
The rest of Asia turned in a decent showing this year. Singapore’s Jigger & Pony landed at No.9, with creative director Uno Jang (pictured below) also taking home the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, while fellow bar Nutmeg & Clove held steady at No.50. Bangkok’s Bar Us climbed an impressive 26 spots to No.15, and Penang’s Backdoor Bodega took home the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award for its zine-style ode to the Malaysian island.
Tokyo proved its enduring finesse with three entries — Bar Benfiddich (No.18), Virtù (No.45), and newcomer The Bellwood (No.48) — while Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame debuted at No.29, marking the city’s first-ever appearance on the list.
Beyond Asia, the results continued to stretch the boundaries of the global bar map. Mirror Bar in Bratislava was named the Disaronno Highest New Entry at No.25, Tirana’s Nouvelle Vague landed at No.28, and Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy claimed the No.2 spot as The Best Bar in North America.
Oslo’s Himkok and Svanen, Athens’ Line, Lima’s Lady Bee, and Milan’s Moebius Milano also signalled the emergence of vibrant new scenes in regions once considered fringe to the world’s cocktail capitals.
Other winners included The Cambridge Public House in Paris, recognised with the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award for its pioneering community-led model; Simone Caporale of Barcelona’s Sips and newly-opened Montana in Hong Kong took home the Roku Industry Icon Award; and Tigra + Disco Pantera of Sydney was honoured with the Best Bar Design Award for its kinetic blend of art and atmosphere.
If last year’s list hinted at a global levelling, this year’s makes it official — great bars are no longer confined to a few privileged postcodes. From Penang to Bratislava, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 rankings celebrates an ever-expanding, ever-evolving global cocktail movement, and one that’s as inclusive, curious, and borderless as the people it serves.
You can find the full list of winners below or more at the World’s 50 Best Bars website.
Follow us on Telegram to get updated on events and other spirited announcements!
