Barhop through Asia at the Best Bars for 2023
Sipping and slurping your way around Asia’s best cocktail bars may not be everyone’s idea of a dream Asian holiday, but for some it may well be. For others, bar hopping will undoubtedly create another pillar of memories alongside the cultural and culinary delights that Asia is already renowned for.
Today, creativity and craft go hand in hand with mixologists also becoming storytellers through blending the culinary roots of their community and regions with local legends, faraway places, and global exposés to create the ultimate drink experience for their guests.
So, between shots, exquisite cocktails both old and new, and tasting flights at glittering sky-high bars in Hong Kong and Singapore to a traditional Korean home and hidden simplistic digs in Jakarta, we’ve created a comfortable, barhop-able itinerary from Asia’s Best Bars for 2023 that could form the basis of your next Asian holiday.
There are 21 bars in all on this itinerary, selected from the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 2023. The bars are chosen by a voting panel comprising some of the region’s top bartenders, cocktail aficionados, and drink writers from amongst the 260 members of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy.
Coa
6-10 Shin Hing St, Central, Hong Kong
Let’s start in Hong Kong at Coa which was voted the best bar in Asia for 2023 – the third time it’s topped the list since debuting on Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2019. Coa’s owner, Jay Khan, also won the Best Bartender Award in 2020 so he must be doing something right.
Khan opened Coa six years ago with no expectations other than to educate Asians about the often-underrated Mexican agave spirits. Coa is named after the machete-like tool used for harvesting agave. When distilled, agave produces tequila and mezcal.
Coa, Hong Kong
At casual, industrial-chic Coa on the lower ground floor of Wah Shin House, you’ll not only discover over 200 agave bottles (Hong Kong’s most extensive agave collection) but a 41-page tequila, mezcal and other Mexican liquor cocktail menu that showcases the primary spirits at their best. Based on seasonal ingredients, the team at Coa showcase a new cocktail each week to tempt your taste buds.
Argo
8 Finance St, Central, Hong Kong
A 15 mins walk away and overlooking Victoria Harbour, Argo is located within the Four Seasons Hotel. It’s number eight on this year’s Asia’s Best Bars list after debuting last year at number three. Argo’s cocktail list is as fanciful as Jason and the Argonauts ship of Golden Fleece in the Greek mythology that it’s named after.
The signature menu created by bar manager Federico Balzarini offers intriguing possibilities with carefully selected and often unusual ingredients that spark curiosity and ultimately deliver satisfaction as they blend together perfectly.
Argo, Hong Kong
With seven Michelin stars across four Forbes five-star restaurants, the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for global gourmands and cocktail connoisseurs.
The Aubrey
5 Connaught Rd, Central, Hong Kong
A 10 mins walk further on is The Aubrey, coming in at number 17 this year – an eccentric Japanese izakaya cocktail bar with an expansive world of Japanese spirits. On the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, the sweeping Victoria Harbour views are worth the visit alone.
The Aubrey offers Japanese libations that are superbly crafted at its all-day drinks and dining space with three distinctive experiences – a drawing room, a curio lounge and the highest quality Japanese ingredients and traditional cooking in the dining room.
DarkSide
18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
A quick trip on the Star ferry across to the Kowloon side of the harbour, and an easy five mins walk along the Avenue of Stars, brings you to the Rosewood Hong Kong Victoria Dockside, which is the home of the number nine bar on this year’s list, ye olde worlde cocktail parlour, DarkSide.
DarkSide, Hong Kong
It’s cosily housed in this glamorous Rosewood hotel that has fabulous views of the Hong Kong Island skyline. If you like classic cocktails, rare, aged spirits (some dating back to the 19th century!), vintage cigars, smooth chocolate, and sultry live jazz, then the elegance at DarkSide will make you feel right at home.
Indulge Experimental Bistro
No 11, Lane 219, Section 1, Fuxing S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei
After Hong Kong, let’s head over the straits and check out Taiwan’s Best Bar for 2023 and number 11 on the Asia list. The cocktails at Aki Wang’s globally trendy bar in Central Taipei, Indulge Experimental Bistro, are in keeping with the name – theatrical, brimming with imagination but an ode to its local produce, heritage and location and focus on the island’s tea-growing heritage.
Zest
B1, 26 KR Dosan-daero 55-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Next city on our list is Seoul. Scoring the Best Bar award for South Korea, was it Zest’s sustainability formula or the four leading bartender owners, or a combination that saw Zest’s staggering rise from 48th last year to number five this year? Whatever the reason, Zest is a leading example of all things sustainable within Korea’s bar industry.
Zest, Seoul
Located in Seoul’s Cheongdam district, Zest’s minimal waste philosophy sees them sourcing local products direct from farms and collaborating with micro-distilleries and local artisans. The décor is minimalistic, with a prep lab for cocktail creation. No bottles are on display, and no soda PET bottles or cans. They make their own tonics, soda, and cola in-house with upcycled ingredients. Zest is a real game-changer worth supporting.
Bar Cham
34 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Want to be immersed in traditional Korean from head to toe? Then head to number 13 on Asia’s Best Bars 2023, Bar Cham, tucked inside a hanok. Also environmentally conscious, Bar Cham’s head bartender, Lim “BJ” Byung-jin, blends local flavours and native Korean spirits gathered from various regions across South Korea with modern techniques.
A must-try is the Jeju 2 cocktail created from Jeju Island soju infused with volcanic rock tea and local white vermouth garnished with homemade Jeju green tea chocolate. After sampling the best that Seoul has to offer, it’s time to head across to Japan.
Bar BenFiddich
9F, 1 Chome-13-7, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Number four on Asia’s Best Bars 2023 list and the Best Bar in Japan is Bar BenFiddich, whose head bartender, Hiroyasu Kayama, was also named Roku Industry Icon 2023. Essentially a farmer by day in Chichibu, Kayama-san is renowned for his farm-to-bar cocktails, as he has a football field-sized farm to play with.
Bar BenFiddich, Tokyo
The 17-seat bar, 90kms from the farm, has no windows, but there are plenty of absinthe fountains, cedar beams laden with wormwood sprigs and mysterious infused jars on the shelves to keep your eyes entertained. There’s no menu, just a flavour camp. Try his spin on a classic Sazerac, with absinthe distilled on the farm to which Kayama-san has added crème de cacao, calvados and marc to tempt the tastebuds. Even the ice has homegrown hops in it.
The SG Club
1 Chome-7-8 Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo
A short 10 mins taxi ride away is the SG Club which was opened by the internationally-acclaimed bartender Shingo Gokan in 2019. Number 14 on this year’s Asian list, the club is actually two bars housed within a 19th-century style saloon. Amble upstairs and relax at the shabby-chic amber-wood casual Guzzle bar, or for poshness, head downstairs to upscale, dimly lit speakeasy Sip.
The bars feature a fusion of American and Japanese styles of bartending and demonstrate Gokan’s extraordinary imagination, unfaltering precision and unsung combinations of flavours using ingredients inspired by his worldly travels. An example is his cocktail known as ‘Amazon to Kagoshima’ in which he blends sweet potato shochu with vetiver and guava.
Virtù
1 Chome-2-1 Ōtemachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
Across on the other side of Tokyo (20 mins in a taxi) and debuting at number 20 this year and earning Highest New Entry Award 2023, Virtù is where Paris meets Tokyo. Housed on the 39th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel at Ōtemachi, its glittering skyline views are as decadent as their modern Japanese ingredients, classic French-flavoured cocktails, and the caviar-and-burrata bar snacks.
Virtù, Tokyo
Discover a world-leading collection of vintage French bottles, rare and hard-to-find cognacs, forgotten spirits and a robust list of Japanese labels. Always on the hunt for something new, the bar team also delights in introducing their patrons to lesser-known producers. After enjoying the best bars of East Asia, it’s time now to head down to Southeast Asia stopping off first at Jakarta.
The Cocktail Club
Jl. Senopati No.39, Senayan, Kec. Kby. Baru, Jakarta
Taking out the 19th spot is the lively Cocktail Club in Jakarta’s bustling Senopati neighbourhood. Indonesian cocktail stalwart Kiki Moka has created such a tantalising drinks list from an array of local ingredients and new flavour combinations that it also earned them the Best Cocktail Menu award and Best Bar in Indonesia for 2023. Its relaxed, cosy atmosphere also attracts many locals and business people.
Jigger & Pony
165 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore
We head up to Singapore now and first stop should be the sumptuous Amara Hotel, home to the island state’s best bar. After a decade in the business, Jigger & Pony came second on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, the Best Bar in Singapore, and the Legend of the List Award 2023 winner.
Jigger & Pony, Singapore
Named after the double-coned measuring device, this swanky drinking den has a lower level with a long bar and half-circle booths, while the upper level has a private bar, cosy corners, and plush velvet sofas. The J&P menu-azine takes the prize for the coolest cocktail menu. Titled Identity, it’s more a lifestyle magazine and not only presents its range of drinks but the ethos and values of the bar.
Sago House
40B Sago St, Singapore
A 12 mins walk away is Sago House. Established during the Covid 2020 lockdown by three industry veterans (Jay Gray, Desiree Jane Silva, and Abhishek C. George), Sago House ranks number 10 on the 2023 Asia Best Bar list while also taking home the Art of Hospitality Award 2023. Adventurous imbibers will love its impressive menu, which changes weekly due to the availability of local ingredients. With six core drink styles (martini, old fashioned, sidecar, flip, highballs, and sours), the cocktails are fresh, balanced and reinterpreted with unique flavour profiles.
Analogue Initiative
#01-31 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St. Singapore
You’ll need to jump in a taxi for a 10 mins ride to Vijay Mudaliar’s Analogue Initiative in the Chijmes complex. Sustainability is at the forefront of this bar’s operations. It’s a bar of the future. Coming in at number 15 this year, Analogue Initiative aims to transform patrons’ dining and drinking experiences by embracing alternative ingredients, methods, and technologies. Most notable is the massive aquamarine bar, 3D printed from 1,600kgs of recycled plastic bottles. Tabletops are also made from recycled plastic, unique recycled coasters, and a 100% plant-based menu, earning it the Sustainable Bar Award 2023.
Nutmeg & Clove
8 Purvis St. Singapore
The essence of Singapore oozes from number seven on the list, Nutmeg & Clove, an easy 5 mins walk from Chijmes. A restaurant and bar, Colin Chia’s Nutmeg & Clove opened nine years ago. It pays homage to the country’s rich history and heritage. Each progressively listed cocktail is uniquely Singaporean, overflowing with Asian flavours.
Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
But don’t expect the same year in and year out – they launch a new cocktail menu each year based on local landmarks, historical moments, culture and more. The 2023 menu highlights Singaporean personalities and features 12 unique ‘personality’ cocktails.
Republic
Raffles Ave, Marina Bay 7, Singapore
A 15 mins walk through the Suntec City and Marina Bay shopping malls will bring you to the Ritz-Carlton where Republic swings in at number 16 and rocks all things 1960s. Soak up the atmosphere, including vinyl records and vintage posters lining the walls. The freedom and individuality are also manifested in the thirst-quenching, yesteryear-storied menu as it reimagines the major pop cultural fashion, music, art, and cinema.
Bar Trigona
145 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
We head north now to Kuala Lumpur. Named Best Bar in Malaysia 2023, Bar Trigona is in the Four Seasons Hotel. Their ethos is grounded in sustainability principles, and they work closely with local farmers to celebrate Malaysian culture. Their new menu of signature drinks is inspired by everything from garden blossoms and fruit peels to spice boxes and tea rituals, and naturally, the bar’s namesake, trigona honeybee. The honey is the team’s passion project and main focus, and they invite guests to join them in supporting the preservation of the natural habitats of honeybees.
BKK Social Club
300, 1 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon, Bangkok
Heading further north to Bangkok, BKK Social Club is the third Best Asian Bar 2023 and Thailand’s Best Bar 2023. It celebrates the spirit of Argentina’s golden age in modern Bangkok by providing travellers with a local experience while taking local patrons on a journey.
BKK Social Club, Bangkok
At the Four Seasons at Chao Phraya River, it’s helmed by Philip Bischoff, who has created a menu of bespoke cocktails, craft spirits and fine cigars focussing on glitz, glamour, and good times. The bar’s stylish ambience and garden-like setting (tropical plants hanging from chandeliers) is accompanied by upbeat soundtracks.
Tropic City
672, 65 Soi Charoen Krung 28, Bang Rak, Bangkok
A quick ferry trip upriver past IconSiam brings you to the Si Phraya Ferry Pier, from which Tropic City is just a short walk away in the up-and-coming Charoenkrung neighbourhood of Bangkok. Swaying like a palm tree into number six on Asia’s Best Bar List for 2023, you’ll find this neon-lit oasis embraces everything tropical and transports its patrons through Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and the Caribbean, with its drink list firmly focused on rum.
Vesper
10/15 Sala Daeng 2 Alley, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
A 10 mins taxi ride away in Bangkok’s vibrant Silom district, Vesper is inspired by classic Europe. The moody, low-lit space has a long marble bar lined with plush stools, comfy leather lounges and small tables. The low-volume music is jazzy and chilled but conducive to conversation. The new British bar manager, Tom Hearn, has created a menu. Named People of Vesper, it honours previous frequent bar guests before his arrival.
Sidecar
M29, GK2, M Block Market, Greater Kailash-2, Right, 110048, New Delhi
India is not a country usually associated with swanky cocktail bars, but if you’ve time to head further west, then head to Sidecar which focuses on being a bar and is reminiscent of an old billiards room or library. Taking up two floors, it’s a classical all-day venue. The menu is full of classic cocktails with a unique Indian twist and a noteworthy selection of signature cocktails.
Businesswoman Minakshi Singh and bar legend Yangdup Lama are the formidable force behind Sidecar and its meteoric rise since its establishment in 2018. Their winning combination earned them 18th position on Asia’s Best Bar list this year and the Best Bar in India 2023.
Header image: The Aubrey, Hong Kong
