50 Best Bars in Asia in 2025 revealed; New Delhi breaks into top 10 while Bengaluru’s three bars say cheers

Bar Leone in Hong Kong has retained its crown as Asia’s best bar for 2025, and Indians don’t lose heart as a bar from New Delhi has stormed into the top 10 list.

The 50 Best list is compiled by more than 300 anonymous voters across 14 territories in Asia. It is part of the World’s 50 Best franchise run by UK-based William Reed Business Media Ltd. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants began in 2002, followed by The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2009 and Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2016. William Reed acquired the bars rankings in 2017.

This year’s list includes bars from 20 cities, with 20 new entries and two re-entries.

5 best bars in Asia

Adjudged the best bar in Asia 2025, Bar Leone, Hong Kong, might seem like a run-of-the-mill transplant of a Roman aperitivo hangout, but to brand it as such would be a disservice. Armed with a simple aim to serve up “cocktails for the people,” speed, simplicity and consistency are central to the Leone operation, with drinks such as the Filthy Martini – created with smoked olive brine – and the now-emblematic mortadella focaccia.

In 2024, Bar Leone made 50 Best Bars history as the first-ever establishment to debut on the list in the No.1 position. In 2025, it holds onto its title as both The Best Bar in Hong Kong and The Best Bar in Asia, sponsored by Perrier.

The second spot was occupied by Zest, Seoul, which is also adjudged as the best bar in Korea. Led by a quadruple of Korean bar heavyweights, Zest’s compact cocktail list majors on myriad local ingredients in cocktails like Jeju Garibaldi, crafted with speciality regional oranges and Gujwa village carrots.

Jigger & Pony from Singapore was ranked third in the list of Asia’s best bars and it was also adjudged to be The Best Bar in Singapore 2025. From humble origins on Amoy Street to its now sumptuous digs at the Amara Hotel, Jigger & Pony has been a staple of the Asian bar scene, having featured in the top 10 of the last seven rankings of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

In fact, the top three of Asia’s 50 Best Bars remained unchanged. It was a momentous night for Bar Leone, the Italian-vibed spot that shook up the drinks world in 2024 when it debuted at the top of the list — barely over a year after opening. In the process, it dethroned Hong Kong’s Coa, which held the coveted distinction for three consecutive years.

Bar Us and new entrant Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, both from Bangkok, took the fourth and fifth ranks, respectively.

Bar Us won the award for The Best Bar in Thailand 2025. With an almost all-black interior, theatrical spotlights and a team dressed in clinical white lab coats, visitors would be forgiven for thinking they’d entered an experimental laboratory rather than a bar. Bar Us looks to fine dining as inspiration for its drinks programme, with the menu split into starters, mains, afters and an all-night portion featuring twists on classics.

Though Hong Kong brought home the highest honours, Bangkok made a strong showing with seven spots in the top 50, including the debut of Dry Wave Cocktail Studio at No. 5, right behind neighbouring Bar Us, which jumped up from No. 21 last year.

Best bars in Asia from India

There was also notable representation from India: New Delhi’s Lair, also a new entry, came in at eighth place as the country’s best bar, and was joined on the list by Soka (28), Boilermaker (30), ZLB23 (31) and Bar Spirit Forward (37).

No.8 Lair, located in the heart of New Delhi, is a modern speakeasy inspired by secretive 1920s prohibition-era bars, where moonshine and craftsmanship reigned supreme. The bar offers a perfect environment for relaxed conversations and immersive drinking experiences, with dim lighting and earthy décor that heighten the sensory experience.

Soka from Bengaluru is dedicated to delivering stories of its home city in liquid form. The bijou space is designed to feel like an intimate izakaya – perfectly crafted to hide away in for a few hours as you taste cocktails inspired by the surrounding locale. Take The Mofo Don, for instance – a spicy tequila concoction with a pink hue from red cabbage and a cilantro-sprinkled rim and a playful homage to the bar’s cabbage vendor.

Boilermaker, which ranked 30 in Asia’s best 50 bars list, is brainchild of craft beer entrepreneur Nakul Bhonsle and renowned mixologist Pankaj Balachandran, the dynamic duo created Boilermaker to answer criticism that Goa’s bar scene had started to lose its soul. Beyond a stellar lineup of beer, expect cocktails shaken with local flavours and a food menu of reimagined Goan bar bites.

Following Soka immediately is the 31st ranked ZLB23, again from Bengaluru. ZLB23 is an exclusive underground den with boisterous live jazz, red velvet in surplus and a remarkable drinks programme that injects classics with Japanese influences.

Another new entry and from Bengaluru, Bar Spirit Forward took the 37th rank in the list of Asia’s best bars. Bar Spirit Forward is built for cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate craft, clarity and context in their drinks. Sink into a plush leather chair and soak in the warm, lounge-like vibe as you browse an inventive cocktail menu replete with thoughtful ingredients.

A Carroll-like climb

Separately, Seoul’s Alice snagged the highest climber award, making the greatest rise from last year’s ranking at 46th place to 13th. Locating this hidden cocktail den inspired by the Lewis Carroll literary classic is just the first step of the adventure. Those who succeed are rewarded with a bar that serves up suitably imaginative and seasonally varied creations inspired by Carroll’s timeless masterpiece. Jumping 33 places from its 2024 ranking, Alice takes home the Nikka Highest Climber Award 2025.

List of 50 Best Bars in Asia in 2025