The popular watering hole at Regent Singapore retains its top spot on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars ranking for the second year in a row.
Amid expectedly high expectations, Manhattan at Regent Singapore kept its number one spot on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars ranking. The 2018 list was revealed at a well-attended awards ceremony held at The Capitol Theatre last night. This is the second consecutive year it has found itself placed ahead of an increasingly toast-worthy line up of drink destinations.

“We have an amazing team, and I’m very happy and proud to be part of this journey,” says bar manager Philip Bischoff, adding that they certainly don’t take the honour for granted and that they’re all about giving customers the best experience “whether it’s their first or 100th time” at the bar.
Landing in second place is Indulge Experimental Bistro in Taipei, followed closely in third by speakeasy Speak Low in Shanghai.
Another Singapore hotspot, Atlas, climbed eight places to number four, while the Highest New Entry and fifth on the list was The Old Man in Hong Kong.
Vijay Mudaliar won big, too, as Native soared to number eight; he went home with the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender award.
(Related: What Is Zero Waste Bartending?)
Singapore also tied with China as the cocktail capital in Asia, with 12 entries each to make the list. Shares William Drew, group editor of The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars, “Asia’s bar scene is undoubtedly rising fast, not just in these countries (Singapore and China) but cities in Korea, Japan and Taiwan.”
After Singapore and China, Japan came close with eight entries, followed by Thailand (six) and South Korea (four).
Drew also highlighted how it is important that bars here are not just a facsimile of those in London and New York, saying that “they have a strong local identity and are doing innovative, new things that is exciting for the industry.”
(Related: Asia’s 50 Best Bars And Singapore Cocktail Festival Team Up To Celebrate The Region's Best)

Here is the complete list of winners:
- Manhattan, Singapore
2. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taiwan
3. Speak Low, Shanghai
4. Atlas, Singapore
5. The Old Man, Hong Kong (Highest New Entry)
6. High Five, Tokyo
7. Tippling Club, Singapore
8. Native, Singapore
9. Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
10. Lobster Bar and Grill, Hong Kong
11. Stockton, Hong Kong
12. 28HKS, Singapore
13. Backstage, Bangkok
14. Sober Company, Shanghai
15. Quinary, Hong Kong
16. Bar Trench, Tokyo
17. Le Chamber, Seoul
18. Zuma, Hong Kong
19. Operation Dagger, Singapore
20. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
21. Charles H, Seoul
22. Gibson, Singapore
23. Employees Only, Singapore
24. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
25. The Curator, Philippines
26. Alice, Seoul
27. Vesper, Bangkok
28. Union Trading Company, Shanghai
29. Smalls, Bangkok
30. Janes & Hooch, Beijing
31. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
32. D.Bespoke, Singapore
33. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
34. Gen Yamamoto, Tokyo
35. TCRC, Taiwan
36. Potato Head Beach Club, Bali
37. Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo
38. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
39. Loewy, Jakarta
40. Mixology Salon, Tokyo
41. Union Brasserie Baker and Bar, Jakarta
42. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
43. Star Bar, Tokyo
44. Teens of Thailand, Bangkok
45. Lamp Bar, Nara
46. Coley, Kuala Lumpur
47. Keepers, Seoul
48. Ritz Carlton Bar and Lounge, Macau
49. Ku Bar, Bangkok
50. The Other Room, Singapore
(Related: Singapore's Top 30 Bars)
Photos courtesy of Asia's 50 Best Bars