THE tipple-thirsty will be delighted to know that the second edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars will again return to Capitol Theatre in Singapore this year, reaffirming the island-nation as quite the destination for bar and nightlife lovers.
Last year’s inaugural awards ceremony – which saw 450 cocktail enthusiasts and industry VIPs descend on the grand and historic venue – was somewhat of a watershed event for Singapore, which as a nation bagged 12 spots on the prestigious list of 50. A total of 14 cities made 2018’s ranked list, which was drawn up from votes cast by more than 200 industry experts across Asia.
The introduction of the list has doubtlessly spurred growth and development in the local bar scene; many hallowed establishments gave their bars a do-over, and there’s been surge of innovative drinks programmes coupled with a conscientious effort to stay on top of the latest drink trends.

The 2019 event kickstarts a three-year partnership between organisers of the World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best lists, William Reed Business Media, and Singapore Tourism board. The deal’s also bringing the well-regarded World’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony to Singapore for its 2019 edition (usually held in June). Come 2021, the World’s 50 Best Bars will be hosted in Singapore as well.
If you’re an aficionado of the scene, tune in to the gala awards livestream here. The actual list is estimated to start airing at 8.45pm on 9 May (Thursday).
For reference, here’s the full list of 2018’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars awardees – local bars in bold.
- Manhattan Bar, Singapore
- Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
- Speak Low, Shanghai
- Atlas, Singapore
- The Old Man, Hong Kong
- High Five, Tokyo
- The Tippling Club, Singapore
- Native, Singapore
- The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
- Island Shangri-La Lobster Bar and Grill, Hong Kong
- Stockton, Hong Kong
- 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore
- Backstage, Bangkok
- Sober Company, Shanghai
- Quinary, Hong Kong
- Bar Trench, Tokyo
- Le Chamber, Seoul
- Zuma, Hong Kong
- Operation Dagger, Singapore
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo,
- Charles H, Seoul
- Gibson, Singapore
- Employees Only, Singapore
- 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
- The Curator Coffee and Cocktails, Manila
- Alice, Seoul
- Vesper, Bangkok
- Union Trading Company, Shanghai
- Smalls, Bangkok
- Janes and Hooch, Beijing
- The Pontiac, Hong Kong
- D.Bespoke, Singapore
- Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
- Gen Yamamoto, Tokyo
- TCRC, Tainan
- Potato Head Beach Club, Bali
- Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo
- Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
- Loewy, Jakarta
- Mixology Salon, Tokyo
- Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar, Jakarta
- Jigger and Pony, Singapore
- Star Bar, Tokyo
- Teens of Thailands, Bangkok
- Lamp Bar, Nara
- Coley Kuala Lumpur
- Keepers, Seoul
- Ritz Carlton Bar and Lounge, Macau
- Ku Bar, Bangkok
- The Other Room, Singapore