Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019 announced: The watering holes in Singapore that made the list

Two-time winner Manhattan bar might have been dethroned from first place, but Singapore remains a cocktail capital of Asia. A force to be reckoned with when it comes to drinking destination, our tiny capital state proved itself once more with 11 out of 50 bars awarded this year. Announced at The Capitol Theatre tonight (9 May 2019, Thursday), the awards ceremony was held for the third time in Singapore.

Taking the top spot – up four notches from last year – is Hong Kong’s The Old Man: An establishment that pays homage to Ernest Hemingway’s 1952 novel of the same name. Its tribute to the author by way of libations are nine cocktails that take inspiration from his favoured ingredients and combinations.

Despite falling to second place this year, Regent Singapore’s Manhattan bar continues to do the Little Red Dot proud. Awarded The Best Bar in Singapore, it also bagged the Legend of the List award, cementing its reputation as an iconic watering hole.

Climbing up four spots at number four is Native, a bar that spotlights foraging and regional produce in its innovative concoctions. While Art Deco-style Atlas Bar dropped a spot to No. 5, it continues to dazzle with its killer tipples infused with gin from the world’s biggest collection of the spirit. A big – and surprising winner – is Jigger & Pony as the the biggest jump on the list — a meteoric rise of 33 spots to No. 9. Other local bars in the list include crowd favourites Tippling Club at No. 11, 28 HongKong Street (No. 21) and Gibson, that rose seven places to No. 15.

Sharing the limelight with Singapore’s glory this year is China, with 12 entries on the list, including Hong Kong’s Coa, which was awarded the Highest New Entry at No. 12, and Quinary, which jumped five places to No. 10. Up-and-coming city Guangzhou made its debut on the list with Hope & Sesame.

Here is the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 2019:

1.  The Old Man, Hong Kong, China

2. Manhattan, Singapore

3. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan

4. Native, Singapore
5. Atlas Bar, Singapore

6. High Five, Tokyo, Japan

7. Speak Low, Shanghai, China

8. The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand
   

9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
10. Quinary, Hong Kong, China
11. Tippling Club, Singapore
12. Coa, Hong Kong, China
13. The Sg Club, Tokyo, Japan
14. Charles H, Seoul, South Korea
15. Gibson, Singapore
16. Sober Company, Shanghai, China

17. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan

18. The Wise King, Hong Kong, China
19. Le Chamber, Seoul, South Korea
20. Backstage, Bangkok, Thailand
21. 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore
22. Operation Dagger, Singapore
23. Bar Trench, Tokyo, Japan
24. Aha Saloon, Taipei, Taiwan
25. D.Bespoke, Singapore
26. Vesper, Bangkok, Thailand
27. Coley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
28. Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
29. Alice Cheongdam, Seoul, South Korea
30. Union Trading Company, Shanghai, China
31. Tropic City, Bangkok, Thailand
32. The Pontiac, Hong Kong, China
33. Lobster Bar & Grill, Hong Kong, China
34. Rabbit Hole, Bangkok, Thailand
35. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou, China
36. Stockton, Hong Kong, China
37. The Curator, Manila, Philippines
38. Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong, China

39. Union Brasserie, Jakarta, Indonesia

40. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

41. Employees Only, Singapore

42. Smalls, Bangkok, Thailand

43. Bar Mood, Taipei, Taiwan

44. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

45. Draft Land, Taipei, Taiwan

46. The Other Room, Singapore

47. Oto, Manila, Phillippines

48. Teens of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand

49. Mixology Salon, Tokyo, Japan

50. The Back Room, Manila, Philippines