Cover Smoke & Bitters, the coastal bar in Hiriketiya redefining Sri Lanka’s cocktail culture, rises to #67 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list
Smoke & Bitters, the coastal bar in Hiriketiya redefining Sri Lanka’s cocktail culture, rises to #67 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list
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With first-time entries from Taichung and New Delhi, and Hong Kong showing strength with three bars, Asia secures 12 places in the extended ranking
The World’s 50 Best Bars has released its 51-100 list for 2025, a preview published ahead of the Top 50 reveal in October. Now in its ninth year, the extended ranking highlights 34 cities and 16 new entries, mapping out where cocktail culture is evolving across the globe.
Asia claims 12 spots this year. Hong Kong appears three times with Argo (#56), newcomer Gokan (#70) and The Savory Project (#86). In Tokyo, The SG Club (#65) joins returning Bar Trench (#94), while Bangkok scores two debuts in Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (#88) and Opium (#92). In other parts of Asia, Bar Cham in Seoul (#53), Native in Singapore (#84), Smoke & Bitters in Sri Lanka (#67), Vender in Taichung (#74) and Lair in New Delhi (#96) round out the regional showing. For Taichung and Delhi, it is the first time their names appear on the global bar map.
Above Bar Cham ranks #53 and is the only bar from South Korea to be included in the extended list
Bar Cham ranks #53 and is the only bar from South Korea to be included in the extended list
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Beyond Asia, the picture is one of both consolidation and diversification. The United States has the highest number of entries, with eight spread across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago. While familiar names like Attaboy (#72) and Employees Only (#95) remain, there are new arrivals such as Schmuck in New York (#59) and True Laurel in San Francisco (#64). Latin America grows its profile, not only through established hubs like Mexico City and Buenos Aires but also with Medellín’s first-ever inclusions: Mamba Negra (#81) and Bar Carmen (#100).
Europe registers the largest regional share with 15 bars, and its strength lies in depth. Spain and Italy each land four entries, from Madrid’s Angelita (#51) to Naples’ L’Antiquario (#63) and Florence’s Gucci Giardino (#99). London continues to reinvent itself with three appearances, including new entry Three Sheets Soho (#80). Meanwhile, bars in Berlin, Athens, Copenhagen and Stockholm emphasise that the continent’s cocktail culture extends well beyond traditional centres.
Elsewhere, Nairobi’s Hero Bar (#69) demonstrates how African bar culture is continuing to surface internationally, while Dubai’s LPM (#60) rises steadily after entering the ranking last year. Australia’s Byrdi in Melbourne (#91) is the lone representative from Oceania this year, a reminder of how distance and borders still shape recognition even as regional creativity grows.
Above Bangkok’s Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (#88) makes its debut on the list this year
Bangkok’s Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (#88) makes its debut on the list this year
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The extended list offers a valuable glimpse into the dynamics of the global bar scene ahead of the Top 50 announcement on October 8 in Hong Kong. It highlights where reputations are being built, which established names continue to shape the conversation, and how hospitality talent is expanding across an ever-wider geography.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 List 2025
51 – Angelita, Madrid
52 – Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
53 – Bar Cham, Seoul
54 – Bar Mauro, Mexico City
55 – Bar Pompette, Toronto
56 – Argo, Hong Kong
57 – Wax On, Berlin
58 – Freni e Frizioni, Rome
59 – Schmuck, New York
60 – LPM, Dubai
61 – Exímia, São Paulo
62 – Barro Negro, Athens
63 – L’Antiquario, Naples
64 – True Laurel, San Francisco
65 – The SG Club, Tokyo
66 – Bird, Copenhagen
67 – Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya
68 – La Sala de Laura, Bogotá
69 – Hero Bar, Nairobi
70 – Gokan, Hong Kong
71 – El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
72 – Attaboy, New York
73 – A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London
74 – Vender, Taichung
75 – Martiny’s, New York
76 – Tjoget, Stockholm
77 – Arca, Tulum
78 – Baltra Bar, Mexico City
79 – Kwãnt Mayfair, London
80 – Three Sheets Soho, London
81 – Mamba Negra, Medellín
82 – Café La Trova, Miami
83 – Dr. Stravinsky, Barcelona
84 – Native, Singapore
85 – Boadas, Barcelona
86 – The Savory Project, Hong Kong
87 – Victor Audio Bar, Buenos Aires
88 – Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok
89 – Foco, Barcelona
90 – Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
91 – Byrdi, Melbourne
92 – Opium, Bangkok
93 – Mírate, Los Angeles
94 – Bar Trench, Tokyo
95 – Employees Only, New York
96 – Lair, New Delhi
97 – Kumiko, Chicago
98 – Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Rome
99 – Gucci Giardino, Florence
100 – Bar Carmen, Medellín
A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over a decade in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
