Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023: Hosted In Hong Kong, COA Tops The List For Third Consecutive Year

In the live ceremony hosted in Hong Kong, local bar COA topped Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 — retaining its title as the Best Bar in Hong Kong for the third year in a row.

Spirits were high last night at Rosewood Hong Kong where Asia’s 50 Best Bars was announced in a live ceremony. Though Singapore dominated with a total of 11 bars on the list, local bar COA has once again claimed the top spot, retaining its title as the Best Bar in Hong Kong.

A total of eight Hong Kong bars made it onto the top 50 list, plus five more in the top 51-100 rankings.

Read More: Top Hong Kong Restaurants That Made It On Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List

Hong Kong Bars That Made It On Asia’s 50 Best Bars List

The Asia’s 50 Best Bars list represents a snapshot of the opinions and experiences of 260 bar industry leaders, including bartenders, drinks writers, educators and bar owners from across the continent. Scroll through for the Hong Kong bars that ranked in the top 50…

#1 COA

Opened by the legendary Jay Khan as part of his mission to bring agave spirits to the forefront of Asia’s cocktail scene, COA spotlights 100 percent agave tequila and traditional mezcal, presenting a curated cocktail menu inspired by the flavours of Mexico.

COA, Shop A, LG/F Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central, Hong Kong, coa.com.hk

#8 ARGO

Sassy Reader Award Winner ARGO takes its name from the ship that sailed Jason and Argonauts, and boasts a collection of the world’s most unique spirits.

ARGO, Lobby, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.fourseasons.com

Read More: 2023 Sassy Hong Kong Reader Award Winners!

#9 Darkside

Housed in Rosewood Hong Kong, Darkside takes inspiration from (as the name suggests) all things deep and dark, specifically dark spirits, cigars and chocolate.

Darkside, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.rosewoodhotels.com

#17 The Aubrey

A collaboration between the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Maximal Concepts, this eccentric izakaya perched on the hotel’s 25th floor serves up delicately crafted Japanese libations.

The Aubrey, 25/F, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.instagram.com/theaubreyhk

#26 Penicillin

The drinks menu here features local and upcycled ingredients as well as a range of organic ferments from the bar’s in-house climate-controlled fermentation enclosure.

Penicillin, L/G, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, penicillinbar.com

#31 Quinary

One of the few places around town that does molecular cocktails, Quinary definitely stands out for its creative cocktails.

Quinary, G/F, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.quinary.hk

#33 Mostly Harmless (New Entry)

Headed by veteran bartender Ezra Star, this farm-to-glass cocktail bar supports Hong Kong’s local farms and makes use of seasonal ingredients in its unique concoctions.

Mostly Harmless, 2/F, 110 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, www.instagram.com/mostlyharmlessbar

#47 The Old Man (Re-Entry)

A former Best Bar in Asia (it won the title in 2019!), The Old Man pays homage to celebrated novelist and lover of fine spirits Ernest Hemingway.

The Old Man, Lower G/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, Central, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, theoldmanhongkong.com

Special Awards

• Hometown hero and founder of The Pontiac Beckaly Franks is crowned the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender
• The Ketel One Sustainable Award went to Singapore’s Analogue Initiative, an award highlighting industry leaders in sustainable practice

Hong Kong Bars That Made It On Asia’s 51-100 Best Bars List

This year, five Hong Kong bars made it on the extended 51-100 list, with The Pontiac securing the highest ranking for Hong Kong at number 53.

• The Pontiac (#53)
• Mizunara: The Library (#86)
• The Wise King (#89)
• Tell Camila (#97)
• Honky Tonks Tavern (#98)

Read More: New Drinks Menus & Bar Openings In Hong Kong

Asia’s Top 10 Best Bars

1. Coa, Hong Kong (Best Bar in Hong Kong)
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore (Best Bar in Singapore, Rémy Martin Legend of the List)
3. BKK Social Club, Bangkok (Best Bar in Thailand)
4. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo (Best Bar In Japan)
5. Zest, Seoul (Best Bar in Korea, Nikka Highest Climber)
6. Tropic City, Bangkok
7. Nutmeg and Clove, Singapore
8. Argo, Hong Kong
9. Darkside, Hong Kong
10. Sago House, Singapore

Head here for the full list.