Two Malaysian Bars named on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 List of 2025

The lowdown on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list of 2025, which includes two Malaysian bars. 

Just about two weeks ahead of its live event, Asia’s 50 Best Bars has announced its 51-100 list for 2025. This year’s edition marks the fifth time the organisation has recognised an extended array of drink experiences from across the region. On the list, you’ll spot not one, but two Malaysian bars as Backdoor Bodega of Penang takes the No. 64 spot, while Kuala Lumpur’s Coley takes No. 92.

The 2025 rankings include 14 new entries from across the continent, spanning 23 different cities. Singapore leads with six entries, while Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo each have four bars on the list. Meanwhile, Shenzhen, Phnom Penh, and Kaohsiung have made their Asia’s 50 Best Bars debuts, represented by one bar each.

MALAYSIAN REPRESENTATION

Backdoor Bodega, one of George Town’s finest spots for a night out, is where cheeky humour meets serious cocktail knowledge. You’ll find the bar at the back of a streetwear shop, called The Swagger Salon, where its personable team awaits your arrival. The menu here takes the form of a little travel book centered around Penang, filled with stories, guides, and graphics—all of which are tied to a cocktail. 

Over in the KL neighbourhood of Bangsar, Coley stands as a perennial favourite and a highly regarded authority on cocktails in the city. Named after revered bartender and inventor of ‘The Hanky Panky’ Ada Coleman, the bar is a well-loved hangout for locals thanks to its laidback nature and drinks worth writing home about. Its menu also boasts range, appealing to cocktail fans of every palate. 

LEADING NAMES

At the top of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list of 2025 is Shenzhen’s Obsidian Bar. The three-storey bar has made a name for itself with its vintage whisky and craft cocktails. Its menu puts the flavours and produce of China under the spotlight, featuring ingredients from across the vast country in its tipples.

Across the causeway in Singapore, we see newcomer The Side Door leading the pack at No. 53. The Tanjong Pagar hangout is run by husband-and-wife team Bannie Kang and chef Tryson Quek, who both know their way around the industry like the back of their hands. In fact, Kang was named winner of the Bartenders’ Bartender Award during the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 awards. Meanwhile, another Singaporean cocktail heavyweight Sago House comes in at No. 56, followed by Origin Bar (No. 60), Night Hawk (No. 77), Employees Only (No. 89), and Fura (No. 95). 

Other notable names from the Southeast Asia region include Jakarta’s Pantja (No. 68) Taipei’s Lab (No. 57); Sidecar from New Delhi (No. 62); Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (No. 71) and Firely (No. 82) from Bangkok; Phnom Penh’s Sora (No. 65); Shanghai’s Pony Up (No. 97); Tokyo Confidential (No. 70) alongside The SG Club (No. 99) of Tokyo; and Seoul’s Charles H (No. 96). 

Be sure to mark your calendars for 15 July as the 2025 list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars will be announced during the live ceremony in Macau. This marks the first time the event and its programme will be held in the city. 

ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS 51-100 LIST 2025

An asterisk (*) denotes new entries on the list, while two asterisks (**) denote a re-entry.

51. Obsidian Bar, Shenzhen *
52. Pine & Co, Seoul
53. Side Door, Singapore *
54. Soko, Seoul
55. Bar Outrigger, Goa *
56. Sago House, Singapore
57. Lab, Taipei *
58. Craftroom, Osaka
59. The Han-jia, Tainan
60. Origin Bar, Singapore
61. Stir, Ho Chi Minh City
62. Sidecar, New Delhi
63. Gong Gan, Seoul
64. Backdoor Bodega, Penang
65. Sora, Phnom Penh *
66. Wu (Nothingness), Taipei
67. Gold Bar, Tokyo
68. Pantja, Jakarta
69. The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai
70. Tokyo Confidential, Tokyo
71. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok
72. Bar Mood, Taipei
73. Under Lab, Taipei
74. Epic, Shanghai
75. Maltail, Kaohsiung *
76. Bee’s Knees, Kyoto
77. Night Hawk, Singapore
78. The Curator, Manila
79. The Bellwood, Tokyo
80. The Opposites, Hong Kong *
81. Sober Company, Shanghai
82. Firefly, Bangkok
83. Workshop14, Hanoi *
84. Raa, Hiriketiya *
85. Coa (Shanghai), Shanghai *
86. The Hudson Rooms, Hanoi
87. The Haflington, Hanoi
88. Mostly Harmless, Hong Kong
89. Employees Only, Singapore
90. Messenger Service, Bangkok *
91. Quinary, Hong Kong
92. Coley, Kuala Lumpur
93. The Enigma Mansion, Ho Chi Minh City **
94. Hideaway, Goa **
95. Fura, Singapore
96. Charles H, Seoul
97. Pony Up, Shanghai *
98. The Golden Tooth, Jakarta *
99. The SG Club, Tokyo
100. Bar Nayuta, Osaka *

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