Tonight’s tipsy map just got an update: the 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Bars list is out, with a roundup of the Top 10 and 7 Hong Kong picks

The 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Bars list was officially unveiled at Wynn Palace in Macau on July 28, 2026. Hope & Sesame Miao Qian Bing Shi, a hidden bar in Guangzhou, took the No. 1 spot, earning mainland China its first No. 1 ranking in Asia. Hong Kong had 7 bars make the Top 50, with Bar Leone taking No. 3 and being named Best Bar in Hong Kong.

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Hidden behind a grocery store in Dongshankou: Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame Miao Qian Bing Shi takes the top spot

Hope & Sesame Miao Qian Bing Shi, which claimed the top spot, looks like a quaint, old-fashioned Cantonese grocery store from the outside, though a different world awaits behind it. Co-founders Bastien Ciocca and Andrew Ho draw inspiration from Cantonese cuisine and Chinese culinary traditions, reinterpreting local flavors through modern mixology techniques.

This hidden spot has remained on the list for 7 consecutive years, and its win this yearmakes you want to book a train ticket to Guangzhou right away to experience the exceptional flavors hidden on an everyday street corner.

2026 Asia’s 50 Best Bars: Top 10

This year’s Top 10 includes bars from Guangzhou, Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shenzhen, Goa, and Singapore, reflecting a range of regional characteristics and mixology styles:

1. Hope & Sesame Miao Qian Bing Shi (Guangzhou) — Best Bar in Asia / Best Bar in Mainland China

2. Zest (Seoul) — Best Bar in South Korea

3. Bar Leone (Hong Kong) — Best Bar in Hong Kong

4. Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (Bangkok) — Best Bar in Thailand

5. MO Bar Shenzhen (Shenzhen)

6. Bar Us (Bangkok) — Sustainable Bar Award

7. Lennon’s (Bangkok) — Best New Entry Award

8. Boilermaker (Goa) — Best Bar in India

9. Jigger & Pony (Singapore) — Best Bar in Singapore

10. Obsidian Bar (Shenzhen)

Bangkok had 8 bars in this year’s Top 50, the highest number of entries of any city. Shenzhen, meanwhile, had two bars in the Top 10: MO Bar and Obsidian Bar, showing its strength.

The 7 Hong Kong bars on the list and special award winners

Hong Kong continues to hold a leading position in Asia’s cocktail scene. In addition to Bar Leone (No. 3) once again being named Best Bar in Hong Kong, several other distinctive bars also made the list:

• No. 3 Bar Leone: An Italian-style bar inspired by Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood.

• No. 22 Gokan: Founded by renowned bartender Shingo Gokan.

• No. 24 Coa: Specializing in tequila and mezcal cocktails and honored with the “Legend of the List” award.

• No. 36 Mius: Founded by Shelley Tai, it received the “Best Bar Design” award, while Shelley was also voted Best Bartender by industry peers.

• No. 37 Argo: A stylish landmark inside the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

• No. 47 Montana: A newly opened bar infused with the spirit of Miami disco and Cuba’s golden age.

• No. 49 Penicillin: A sustainability-focused bar.

Rather than simply pursuing lavish drink menus, bars today feel more like an extension of everyday life. If you prefer a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, the Roman street feel of Hong Kong’s Bar Leone can bring a sense of comfort after work. For a striking visual contrast, step through the wooden door of Hope & Sesame’s Guangzhou grocery store into its dark back room for plenty of surprises.

The bars on this list are ready to welcome tonight’s guests, so find yourself a reason to get a little tipsy!

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