Frequently Asked Questions

What is Asia's 50 Best Bars?

Asia’s 50 Best Bars is an annual list that celebrates the best of the drinks industry in Asia. Asia’s 50 Best Bars provides an annual ranking of bars as voted for by 265 drinks experts from across the Asian continent. The list represents the ultimate guide to Asia’s top bars and drinking destinations.

How are the awards voted for?

The Asia's 50 Best Bars list is compiled from the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, comprising 260 drinks experts, including renowned bartenders and consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists from across Asia.

Prior to 2021, each Academy member voted for six bars, with at least two of these from outside their home country/SAR. Since the global pandemic has restricted international travel, the voting rules have been revised to reflect this situation. In 2022 and 2023, voters could nominate a total of seven bars, including up to five from their home country, but with no obligation to vote for bars outside of their home country/SAR.

Who are the voters and how are they chosen?

The Academy is made up of drinks experts, including bartenders, bar managers, drinks consultants, brand ambassadors, drinks writers, historians and cocktail aficionados. They are chosen by the 50 Best Academy Chairs for Asia, who include Academy Chairs Priyanka Blah, John Ng, Nicholas Coldicott and Rachel Tann.

Which destinations are included in Asia's 50 Best Bars?

The Academy can vote for any bar in the following Asian 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.

Are bars encouraged to campaign to voters?

No, bars are not encouraged to campaign directly for voters, but of course they should strive to be as good as they can be and market themselves as they see fit. From 2018, all voters have been asked to retain their anonymity. The votes themselves are logged on a secure online platform and remain confidential.

On what criteria are voters asked to make their decisions?

Voters are simply asked to name the bars in which they have enjoyed the best experience over the previous 18 months. There are no pre-determined criteria, though there are strict voting rules. Voters must have visited the bars they vote for during the voting period, and they cannot self-nominate or nominate a bar in which they have any financial interest. Guest bar shifts and pop-ups do not qualify for votes. 50 Best reserves the right to remove bars from the list where there may be reputational issues that discredit the 50 Best organisation by way of these venues' inclusion.

What does it mean to be included on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars ranking?

It provides recognition of the dedication, passion and skill of the teams behind those bars. It also helps promote those bars internationally to well-travelled discerning drinkers, boosting the bars’ profiles and business.

Who owns Asia’s 50 Best Bars?

Asia's 50 Best Bars is the first regional event of The World’s 50 Best Bars brand, which is owned and organised by William Reed, the group behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and its regional lists and events. In 2017, William Reed took over from Drinks International, part of Agile Media, in the organisation of the awards, collating the votes and producing the list.