About Us

Asia's 50 Best Bars was launched in 2016 with the purpose of showcasing the best and most innovative talent in the region's drinks industry.

The annual ranking is based on the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, comprising 265 of the most knowledgeable and travelled members of the bar industry, drinks media and mixology experts from across Asia. The well-structured voting system and procedures, which are overseen by global adjudication company Deloitte, ensures the list and awards have a credibility and influence that is renowned across the globe.

The Academy spans 14 territories and dozens of cities across the continent, reflecting the relative development and importance of bar scenes in different locations. Asia's 50 Best Bars takes in seven voting regions, covering the following destinations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Mainland China, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Read more about the voting process and the Academy, and consult our FAQs. 

Following two digital-only announcements in 2016 and 2017, the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony took place in Singapore in 2018 and 2019. As a result of the pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 lists of Asia’s 50 Best Bars were announced over a virtual awards ceremony; then in 2022, the event programme travelled to Bangkok. 

Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 was announced on 16th July in Hong Kong. The awards ceremony was also streamed live on The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel. The countdown was preceded by a series of special award announcements in the month leading up to the ceremony, including the unveiling of bars ranked from No.51 to No.100.

The list reflects the diversity of the drinking scene in Asia, with cocktail bars in large hotels, backstreet speakeasies, tiki places, whisky bars and venues that major on wine and beer all included in the ranking. Drawing its strengths from the eclectic tastes of its panel of experts, who possess an undeniable intuition for detecting new trends and talents, Asia's 50 Best Bars is the most authoritative and prestigious survey of cocktail tastes in the continent. 

Asia's 50 Best Bars is part of the 50 Best brand, published by William Reed. Read more about 50 Best here.