The World’s 50 Best Bars brings together hundreds of expert in the bar industry to judge bars around the world and rank them. Although India may not have gotten into the list, 12 Asian bars did and we can share in that sense of pride, can’t we? Also, isn’t it exciting that some of the world’s best bars aren’t too far away?
Manhattan, Singapore
Regent’s Manhattan is the best bar in Asia according to the ranking, coming in at a glorious no. 7! If you haven’t had a Manhattan here, you’re probably doing it all wrong. They’re also well-loved for cocktails such as The Princess Cut, Solera-aged Negroni and Flat Iron. Also, look at that opulent decor, will you?
Where: 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 2, Regent, Singapore.
Speak Low, Shanghai
Coming in at the 10th position, and second on the Asian list, is the speakeasy bar that’s no secret anymore! Their entrance is actually a secret sliding bookcase in a cocktail equipment shop, and inside they look just as on-trend as many NYC bars. They also serve staple NYC cocktails, along with their special called Speak Low! They have a second floor with a more sophisticated, less hipster vibe and serve rare spirits there if that’s your style.
Where: 579 Fuxing Zhong Lu, Near Ruijin Er Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai.
Bar High Five, Tokyo
You’d think Tokyo would know how to do drinks right, and you’d be very right! A move to a larger premise, low-lit fancy interiors and an ambitious owner (Hidetsugu Ueno) have managed to add just enough to get them to the 13th spot on the global list. Their signature cocktail Ceremony, a heady mix of J’s whisky, green tea liquers and matcha bitters, is a must try but also keep an eye out for Ueno’s Bellini and their Martinis.
Where: Efflore Ginza 5 Bldg. BF 5-4-15 Ginza Chuo-ward 104-0061, Tokyo, Japan.
Atlas, Singapore
This bar comes is the 15th best bar in the world, but somehow managed to get beaten to the 4th position in Asia by global 25th placeholder 28 Hongkong Street, SIngapore. We don’t know how this mix-up happened but we do know Atlas is pretty damn great. With a wide variety of liquor (250+ champagnes, 1000+ gins to be specific), it’s no wonder their drinks are so popular. The favourite here would be the Cecil Beaton which is, much like the bar itself, grandiose with Australian spiced dry gin, hibiscus water, Earl Grey tea and milk.
Where: Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore, 188778.
Operation Dagger, Singapore
Singapore’s really smashing it, isn’t it? Coming in at the 24th position on the world charts but 6th in Asia (again, how did this happen?), this bar is possibly the most unique looking on this list. It has quirky decor with a ceiling filled with thousands of light bulbs, raw concrete walls lined with apothecary-style bottles and more. Their drinks also reflect their modern style – one being Fallen Fruit which comes in a ceramic pear, made of sous vide natural wines and consumed through a hollowed vanilla bean. Guess I’m flying to Singapore for New Year’s Eve then.
Where: 7 Ann Siang Hill, 069791 Singapore.
Other Asian bars that featured in World’s 50 Best Bars
25. 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore
28. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
31. Tippling Club, Singapore
36. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
40. Quinary, Hong Kong
47. Native, Singapore
49. Lobster Bar & Grill at the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
