Hong Kong’s Oaxacan-inspired bar, Coa, once again claimed the top spot at the seventh edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars held in Bangkok late last month.

For the first time since the 2019 event in Singapore, the ceremony was held in front of a live audience of industry leaders, mixologists, brand ambassadors, and cocktail enthusiasts.

After debuting with the Highest New Entry prize in 2019, followed by owner-bartender Jay Khan’s win of the Bartenders’ Bartender award the following year, the Mexican-themed Coa claims the distinction of being only the second bar to top the list for the second year running, matching Manhattan (2017 and 2018).

This year, the contenders were from 16 cities across Asia including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Bangkok, and included 14 new entries.

Kuala Lumpur

At No. 29, Bar Trigona was recognised as the best bar in Malaysia, and also won Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu.

Located at the Four Seasons, Trigona uses Malaysian produce as its mainstay, including wild turmeric harvested in Pahang, raw honey from the eponymous Trigona hives, and tropical fruits from an organic farm in Bangi.

Meanwhile, having settled into a new location in Bukit Damansara last year, revered rum bar Junglebird remained a roaring success, moving up two places to No. 35.

Singapore

Singapore scored big with 11 winners on the list. Jigger & Pony, at No. 2, was named the best bar in the republic for the second year in a row, while MO Bar, at No. 8, was the Nikka Highest Climber with an impressive 37-position leap.

They are joined by eight other venues from the island, including Manhattan (No. 9), Republic (12), No Sleep Club (15), Atlas (23), Tippling Club (27), Sago House (31), Nutmeg & Clove (36), Analogue (37), and 28 Hong Kong Street (49).

Singapore was also the recipient of several other awards including the Roku Industry Icon, which went to Nutmeg & Clove’s Colin Chia for his role in nurturing the nation’s next generation of bartenders.

Bangkok

Thailand secured five spots in the 2022 list with newcomer BKK Social Club leading the pack at No.10. Helmed by eminent bar personality Philip Bischoff, it was also crowned the best bar in Thailand, as well as the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.

The rest of the list from Bangkok consists of Tropic City (No. 17), Vesper (19), newcomer Asia Today at No. 43, and The Bamboo Bar at No. 46.

Here’s the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022:

1. Coa, Hong Kong
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
3. Argo, Hong Kong
4. Tesouro, Goa
5. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
6. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
7. Charles H, Seoul
8. MO Bar, Singapore
9. Manhattan, Singapore
10. BKK Social Club, Bangkok
11. Sober Company, Shanghai
12. Republic, Singapore
13. Darkside, Hong Kong
14. Sidecar, New Delhi
15. No Sleep Club, Singapore
16. Quinary, Hong Kong
17. Tropic City, Bangkok
18. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
19. Vesper, Bangkok
20. Lamp Bar, Nara
21. The SG Club, Tokyo
22. Penicillin, Hong Kong
23. Atlas, Singapore
24. Aha Saloon, Taipei
25. Bar Trench, Tokyo
26. Hoots’, New Delhi
27. Tippling Club, Singapore
28. Bar Cham, Seoul
29. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur
30. Home, New Delhi
31. Sago House, Singapore
32. The Cocktail Club, Jakarta
33. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
34. The Wise King, Hong Kong
35. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
36. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
37. Analogue, Singapore
38. The Aubrey, Hong Kong
39. Le Chamber, Seoul
40. Alice, Seoul
41. Memento Mori, Tokyo
42. Smoke & bitters, Hiriketiya
43. Asia Today, Bangkok
44. Capitas, Bengaluru
45. Union Trading Company, Shanghai
46. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
47. Bee’s Knees, Kyoto
48. Zest, Seoul
49. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
50. Speak Low, Shanghai

Also check out the honorary list by Asia’s 50 Best – those who ranked 51-100, as well as individual awards.

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