Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 Announced: Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou Comes Out Top, Four Singapore Bars Make The List

The votes are in for Asia's 50 Best Bars this year: Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou has been crowned The Best Bar in Asia 2026, sponsored by Perrier, marking a landmark year for China's cocktail scene. Four Singapore bars have made the Top 50 list, with Jigger & Pony once again leading the pack.

More than 300 independent Academy members across the region voted this year, with the results revealed at a live awards ceremony at Wynn Palace, Macau. The 2026 list spans 50 bars from 22 cities, including 14 new entries and two re-entries, with Deloitte serving as the official independent adjudication partner overseeing the voting process.

Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou - Asia's 50 Best Bars #1, Best Bar in Mainland China

Hope & Sesame has claimed the top spot on the list for the first time, following a seven-year run on the ranking. Founded by Bastien Ciocca and Andrew Ho, the speakeasy is tucked behind a traditional Cantonese store in Guangzhou's historic Dongshankou district. The bar draws on the shared culinary heritage of Chinese communities worldwide and Cantonese cuisine, with menus that shift seasonally around regional flavours and nostalgic tastes reimagined through a modern lens. Hope & Sesame was also ranked No.29 on The World's 50 Best Bars 2025.

Zest, Seoul - Asia's 50 Best Bars #2, Best Bar in Korea

Zest holds steady at #2 this year, retaining its title as Best Bar in Korea for the third consecutive year running. The minimalist bar continues its sustainable, all-local approach to Korean cocktail craftsmanship.

Jigger & Pony, Singapore - Asia's 50 Best Bars #9, Best Bar in Singapore sponsored by Back to the Roots

Jigger & Pony remains Singapore's top-ranked bar, placing at #9 and claiming the Best Bar in Singapore title. Co-founder Indra Kantono was separately honoured with the Roku Industry Icon Award 2026, recognising his influence on Asia's bar landscape and his role in shaping Singapore's standing as a global cocktail capital.

Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore - Asia's 50 Best Bars #12

Nutmeg & Clove places at #12 this year. The bar continues to reimagine Singapore's heritage through cocktails inspired by the country's landmarks, personalities and hawker food culture.

Offtrack, Singapore - Asia's 50 Best Bars #16

Music-centric bar Offtrack rounds out the city's showing at #16, continuing its reputation as a listening-bar destination anchored by a rotating soundtrack of jazz, soul and obscure Asian oldies.

Origin Bar, Singapore - Asia's 50 Best Bars #43 (Re-entry)

Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel returns to the list as a re-entry at #43, bringing its old-school train station theatrics back into the regional conversation. Must-try cocktails include the Sense of Belonging, Deep in the Forest and of course, their Espresso Martini.

Elsewhere across the region

Bangkok retained its position as Asia's most densely represented cocktail capital, with eight bars on the list. Dry Wave Cocktail Studio climbed to #4, while newcomer Lennon's debuted at #7 and took home the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award. Bar Sathorn was the year's biggest climber, rising 31 places to #17 to win the Nikka Highest Climber Award.

Hong Kong placed seven bars on the list. Coa, at #24, received the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award, while Kinsman won the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and Mius claimed the SevenRooms Best Bar Design Award, alongside founder Shelley Tai's Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award.

Jakarta continued its rise as a Southeast Asian hub with four bars on the list, led by Modernhaus at #11, while Hats Bar received the Campari One To Watch Award. In Hanoi, Workshop14 was named Best Bar in Vietnam and won the Three Cents Best New Opening Award.

The full 1-50 ranking, along with individual award winners, is available via Asia's 50 Best Bars.