Singapore's Jigger & Pony, last year's winning bar, drops to second place, with The SG Club in Tokyo, Japan, rising six places to rank third. The Philippines only has one bar that made it to number 38 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021, read on to find out more:
Asia’s 50 Best Bars has named COA in Hong Kong the Best Bar in Asia for 2021. The bar, run by mixologist Jay Khan, focuses on tequila and mezcal with the aim of changing the perception of agave-based spirits in Asia. Last year's winner, Jigger & Pony in Singapore, dropped to second place, while the top five was rounded out by Tokyo's The SG Club, Taipei's Indulge Experimental Bistro and Shanghai's Sober Company.
The Philippines Best Bar was awarded to The Curator, claiming spot number 38 on this year's list. "March 2020 to present has been unbelievably tough to say the least. We’ve never worked as hard. Having said that, this really means a lot to me and our team in that this gives us even more motivation to pummel through adversity" says co-founder David Ong. "I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the organisation as well as all our family, friends and peers around the world for believing in us. For all the kindness, generosity, love and support you continue to show our teams, as well as the Philippines! To take our place among the best of the best is always so surreal" he shares.
Special Awards
As well as the ranking of the top 50 bars in Asia, a number of special awards were announced at the ceremony, which was broadcast online. The Campari One To Watch Award went to a bar from Mainland China for the first time, bartender Cross Yu's Epic in Shanghai. The Michter's Art of Hospitality Award went to MO Bar in Singapore.
Two individuals were awarded this year including Taiwan-based Bannie Kang, who received the peer-voted Mancino Bartenders' Bartender Award, impressing the industry as well as guests at her bar Mu: Taipei, and Shingo Gokan of Speak Low and Sober Company, both in Shanghai, who was awarded the Roku Industry Icon, marking him out as the individual who has done more than any other to elevate the art of bartending across the continent.
The Heering Legend of the List is awarded to the bar that has performed most consistently since Asia's 50 Best Bar Awards first launched, though it can only be won once. This year, it went to a bar that has given rise to a number of bartenders at the forefront of Hong Kong's cocktail scene, Quinary, owned by esteemed mixologist Antonio Lai.
The London Essence Best New Opening also went to a Hong Kong bar. Barely a year old, John Nugent's The Diplomat took home the award. The bar, which serves its own twists on classic cocktails has been praised for its quality drinks, fine service and excellent food.
There were two winners of the Nikka Highest Climber Award, both of which went to bars which climbed 24 places. Sidecar in India ranked 16 on the 2021 list, while Caprice Bar at Four Seasons Hong Kong came it at number 10 this year. The Disaronno Highest New Entry went to Singapore-based bar No Sleep Club, which last year had taken home the Campari One to Watch Award.