3 Philippine Bars Make it to the Asia’s 50 Best 51-100 List

50 Best has revealed the bars voted to the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the first time. This is part of 50 Best’s strategy to recognize a greater number of establishments and encourage the industry as it moves forward and emerges from restrictions set due to the pandemic. The 51-100 list includes bars from 22 cities across 12 countries in Asia, and is a sneak peek before the big reveal of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 on May 6.

Three Philippine bars made it to the extended list, namely Buccaneers and OTO, both in Poblacion, and Shangri-La BGC’s The Backroom.

The Back Room tops the list at No. 51, slipping down from 45th place last year. “Honored, blessed, and super proud to get this number 51 this year,” says bar manager Dicky Hartono.

“I know it was a tough time for everyone in our industry but allow me to share our love from the last two people standing here in The Back Room, me and Alex (Lisandru) thanking all of you our friends, beloved guests, fellow bartenders for all the support,” adds Hartono.

OTO in Poblacion, comes in at No. 61, after placing 47th on the Asia’s 50 Best list in 2019. “Though this pandemic slammed our industry so hard, there are still so many reasons to be thankful for,” shares Kathrin Osmillo, bar manager.

Pirate-inspired Buccaneers, also in Poblacion, placed 100th on the list. Buccaneer’s captain Ulysse Jouanneaud calls their inclusion on the list to be “A great achievement despite the difficult period we are all going through,” and congratulates his crew for a job well done. Buccaneers tied with Goa Nights from China while Ark Lounge and Aomori tied for 94th place.

Overall, Japan dominates the list with a total of 14 bars across five cities (Tokyo, Nara, Kyoto, Aomori, and Kanagawa). Singapore and Thailand both see six bars make the list. China and South Korea have five entries each, while Sri Lanka and Vietnam appeared on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, with two and three bars featured respectively.

The long-awaited reveal of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 2021 will be on May 6 at 6:00 pm via The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel. 

51-100 FULL LIST:

51 The Back Room (Manila, Philippines)
52 Asia Today (Bangkok, Thailand)
53 Thaipioka (Bangkok, Thailand) 
54 The Old Man (Hong Kong, China)
55 Draft Land (Taipei, Taiwan)
56 Ishinohana (Tokyo, Japan) 
57 Bar Landscape (Tokyo, Japan0
58 Coley (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
59 Hoots' (New Delhi, India)
60 Mixology Heritage (Tokyo, Japan)
61 Oto (Manila, Philippines)
62 Lamp Bar (Nara, Japan) 
63 Pussyfoot Saloon (Seoul, South Korea)
64 Epic (Shanghai, China)
65 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana (Hong Kong, China)
66 Gibson (Singapore, Singapore)
67 Rabbit Hole (Bangkok, Thailand)
68 Shady Acres (Hong Kong, China)
69 The Bellwood (Tokyo, Japan) 
70 Employees Only (Singapore, Singapore)
71 Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall (Singapore, Singapore) 
72 Bar Orchard Ginza (Tokyo, Japan)
73 Botanik Rooftop Bistro & Bar (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
74 Wishbone (Semarang, Indonesia)
75 Live Twice (Singapore, Singapore)
76 Ne Cocktail Bar (Hanoi, Vietnam)
77 Summer Experiment (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)
78 Pahit (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
79 The Other Room (Singapore, Singapore)
80 Bar Rocking Chair (Kyoto, Japan)
81 008 Bar (Bangkok, Thailand)
82 Junior The Pocket Bar (Singapore, Singapore)
83 A/A Bar (Jakarta, Indonesia)
84 Liquid Factory (Tokyo, Japan)
85 Sugar Ray You've Just Been Poisoned (Bangkok, Thailand)
86 Mixology Bar (Seoul, South Korea)
87 Mixology Salon (Tokyo, Japan)
88 Tender (Tokyo, Japan)
89 Soko (Seoul, South Korea)
90 Mu: (Taipei, Taiwan)
91 Smoke & Bitters (Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka)
92 Southside Parlor (Seoul, South Korea)
93 Smalls (Bangkok, Thailand)
*94 Ark Lounge (Aomori, Japan)
*94 Bar D (Kanagawa, Japan)
96 Hybrid (Nha Trang, Vietnam)
97 Pine & Co (Seoul, South Korea)
98 Memento Mori (Tokyo, Japan)
99 Gen Yamamoto (Tokyo, Japan)
*100 Goa Nights (Macau, China)
*100 Buccaneers Rum & Cocktails (Manila, Philippines)

*Bars that are tied on the list