The expanded ranking was created to support as many businesses as possible, and was announced one week ahead of the Asia's 50 Best Bars ceremony
Before the official announcement of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 next week (May 6), the awarding body has revealed for the first time an expanded ranking of bars across the region which placed from the 51st to the 100th spots.
While Japan leads the pack with 14 bars, one of which is highest new entry Ishinohana at No.56, Singapore’s dynamic bar scene was also well represented with six inclusions. These are three newcomers Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall at No.71, Live Twice at No.75 and Junior The Pocket Bar at No.82, as well as Gibson at No.66, Employees Only at No.70 and The Other Room at No.79.
The expanded showcase also shows Asia’s diverse scene with six bars from Thailand, five China (including Campari One to Watch, Shanghai’s Epic, at No.64), three from Hong Kong, and two each from Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
(Related: Penicillin Hong Kong Crowned Most Sustainable Bar by Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021)
The expanded showcase also shows Asia’s diverse scene with six bars from Thailand, five China (including Campari One to Watch, Shanghai’s Epic, at No.64), three from Hong Kong, and two each from Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
“It’s a historic first for the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards programme,” explains Asia’s 50 Best Bars content director Mark Sansom, who mentioned that the extended list pulled together from the overall Asia’s 50 Best Bars voting process and was created to “support as many F&B businesses who have been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic”. That said, he hopes this will “provide double the choice of exceptional, expert-approved drinking destinations for the months and years ahead.”
The sixth edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars will be announced in a virtual ceremony on May 6, 6 pm. It will be live-streamed on The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.
