KL’s Bar Trigona and Penrose make it to Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023—here’s the full list

Last night, the highly anticipated annual list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars was revealed at a live awards ceremony in Hong Kong—and two KL bars have made the cut. The news follows the extended 51-100 List, which was unveiled last week and saw four Malaysian bars being included. 

Once again, Bar Trigona has bagged the title of The Best Bar in Malaysia for the fifth consecutive time. The bar is distinguished for its outstanding mixology and commitment to sustainable practices through the use of local ingredients, thus earning the No. 36 spot this year. Meanwhile, Penrose—a fairly recent addition to the city’s bar scene and, naturally, a newcomer to the awards—caps off the list at No. 50. 

Hosted in collaboration with 50 Best’s destination partner, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the ceremony marked the first full-scale gathering of the bar community in Asia since 2019. This year’s list featured bars from 17 cities across Asia, culminating with Coa in Hong Kong being crowned The Best Bar in Asia (and The Best Bar in Hong Kong) for the third consecutive year—the first bar in Asia to achieve this feat. 

Singapore’s Jigger & Pony takes the runner-up spot to become The Best Bar in Singapore for the third year in a row. It has also been named the Rémy Martin Legend of the List for 2023. Meanwhile, BKK Social Club has climbed up seven spots to No. 3, earning the title of The Best Bar in Thailand. Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich has moved up one spot from last year to come in at No. 4, while being named The Best Bar in Japan. Bartender-owner Hiroyasu Kayama has also been named the Roku Industry Icon 2023. Further, the Nikka Highest Climber Award goes to Zest in Seoul, which caps the top five after an impressive rise of 43 spots and takes the award for The Best Bar in Korea. 

“We are overjoyed to be in Hong Kong to celebrate Asia’s vibrant bar community for 50 Best’s first-ever event in this brilliant city for eating and drinking. Asia’s bars continue to push the envelope when it comes to fabulous drinking experiences and that is evident from the talent and creativity on display at the bars on this year’s list from 17 cities across the continent,” said Mark Sansom, Content Director for Asia’s 50 Best Bars. 

This year, a total of 12 bars made the list from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Singapore continues to dominate the awards with 11 establishments on the list, with Sago House (No. 10) climbing up 21 spots to clinch the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award for its exceptional service, and Analogue (No. 15) bagging the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. On the other hand, Japan secures seven spots while taking Disaronno Highest New Entry with Virtù’s debut on the list at No. 20.

Other special awards include the London Essence Best New Opening which goes to Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar in Thailand; Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu, awarded to The Cocktail Club in Jakarta; and Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, accorded to Beckaly Franks of The Pontiac in Hong Kong.

Without further ado, here is the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

 

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023

1. Coa (Hong Kong)

2. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)

3. BKK Social Club (Bangkok)

4. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)

5. Zest (Seoul)

6. Tropic City (Bangkok)

7. Nutmeg and Clove (Singapore)

8. Argo (Hong Kong)

9. Darkside (Hong Kong)

10. Sago House (Singapore)

11. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei)

12. Vesper (Bangkok)

13. Cham Bar (Seoul)

14. The SG Club (Tokyo)

15. Analogue Initiative (Singapore)

16. Republic (Singapore)

17. The Aubrey (Hong Kong)

18. Sidecar (New Delhi)

19. The Cocktail Club (Jakarta)

20. Virtù (Tokyo)*

21. Manhattan (Singapore)

22. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (Bangkok)*

23. Lamp Bar (Nara)

24. 28 HongKong Street (Singapore)

25. Le Chamber (Seoul)

26. Penicillin (Hong Kong)

27. Atlas (Singapore)

28. Alice (Seoul)

29. Pantja (Jakarta)*

30. Employees Only (Singapore)**

31. Quinary (Hong Kong)

32. Stay Gold Flamingo (Singapore)*

33. Mostly Harmless (Hong Kong)*

34. The Curator (Manila)**

35. The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai)*

36. Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur)

37. Southside Parlor (Seoul)*

38. Copitas (Bengaluru)

39. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou)

40. Smoke & Bitters (Hiriketiya)

41. Vender (Taichung)*

42. Native (Singapore)**

43. The Public House (Taipei)*

44. Bee’s Knees (Kyoto)

45. High Five (Tokyo)**

46. Soko (Seoul)*

47. The Old Man (Hong Kong)**

48. The Living Room (Mumbai)*

49. The Bellwood (Tokyo) *

50. Penrose (Kuala Lumpur)*

*denotes new entries

**denotes re-entries

 

The awards ceremony was also streamed live on The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel and is available to view on both of these platforms. For more details on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, visit the website here.

 

 

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