The Curator Remains Best Bar in PH as HK’s Bar Leone Takes Top Honors in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024

The recent Asia’s 50 Best Bars Awards 2024 ceremony held in Hong Kong showcased the vibrant bar scene across the region, with Bar Leone in Hong Kong emerging as the star of the night, with Zest of Seoul and Singapore’s Jigger & Pony bagging second and third place, respectively. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Perrier, highlighted the exceptional talent and creativity within the Asian bar community.

Bar Leone, a one-year-old neighborhood bar located in Central, Hong Kong, made history by debuting at the coveted No.1 spot, clinching the title of The Best Bar in Asia and The Best Bar in Hong Kong. Founded by bartender Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone also received the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, marking a significant milestone for the establishment. The bar’s concept revolves around ‘cocktail popolari’ or ‘cocktails for the people’, offering classic and approachable cocktails inspired by traditional Roman bars. Lorenzo Antinori’s expertise, gained from his experience at top bars in Seoul and London, shines through in Bar Leone’s beverage program, which focuses on revived classics made with a seasonal and low-intervention approach.

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At No. 2 is Zest in Seoul, an intimate low-waste bar that has ascended three spots, making it The Best Bar in Korea. Consistently in the top five is Jigger & Pony in Singapore at No.3, named The Best Bar in Singapore for the fifth consecutive year. Last year’s top spot holder, Coa, is at No.4, while No.5 is Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo, maintaining its title as The Best Bar in Japan.

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 The Best Bar in the Philippines | The Curator’s Bernice Tiu and David Ong

The Curator was once again named the best bar in the Philippines. The coffee and cocktail bar rose up one slot from last year’s 34th to secure the 33th spot on this year’s list. The Curator was the lone local entry at this year’s list, and has consistently been part of the Asia’s 50 Best Bar Awards list since the award’s inception in 2016.

Last week, Southbank Cafe + Lounge, with locations in Muntinlupa and Pasig (and soon to open in BGC), debuted on Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ extended 51-100 list, securing the 82nd spot. This achievement follows their inclusion in the World’s 50 Best Discovery list earlier this year.

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Singapore led the rankings with 11 bars on the list. Alongside Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove rises to No.6, followed by Sago House at No.15. New entrants Night Hawk and Offtrack debut at No.16 and No. 25, respectively. Other notable mentions include Native, climbing to No. 31, Origin at No. 32, and Atlas at No. 49, which also received the inaugural Bareksten Best Bar Design Award in Asia and the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award.

Special awards this year include the Campari One To Watch Award given to Dry Wave Cocktail Studio in Bangkok, led by veteran bartender-owner Supawit ‘Palm’ Muttarattana. Yangdup Lama of New Delhi’s Sidecar received the Roku Industry Icon 2024 award, recognizing his significant contributions to the industry. The Savory Project in Hong Kong was awarded the London Essence Best New Opening Award, and Fura in Singapore took the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. Nest by Pun in Taipei won the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award for its thematic menu reflecting its bee and honeycomb design elements.

Pre-announced special award winners included Virtù in Tokyo, which won the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, and Dohyung ‘Demie’ Kim from Seoul, who won the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.

The awards ceremony was streamed live and is available to view on The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube Channel.