TWO Makati bars have made it to the top 100 of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. For the first time, the list, created by William Reed Business Media (among other 50 Best lists) showed the 51-100 candidates in Asia. Legazpi Village’s The Curator was No. 62, while Poblacion’s Oto ranked No. 63.
Oto previously made it to the list at No. 47 in 2019, while The Curator has placed at least twice, ranking No. 42 in 2020, and No. 38 in 2020.
A bar focused on agave spirits, Hong Kong’s Coa, earned the top spot this year.
“At Coa, owner-bartender Jay Khan pays homage to mezcal tequila and other agave-based liqueurs in this candle-lit, industrial-style space. The thorough menu also features signature cocktails such as the grapefruit-spiked La Paloma de Oaxaca, which is the only beverage that has been on the list since the bar opened,” said the list.
The awards, sponsored by Perrier, were held at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The list had been created with the help of over 220 experts within an academy of voters, headed by academy chairs. “We strongly believe that by amplifying all the great talent across Asia, 50 Best can play a crucial role in encouraging guests to get back out into bars when the time is right,” said Mark Sansom, Content Director for Asia’s 50 Best in a video shown prior to the event livestream on YouTube last week.
“The past 15 months have been incredibly difficult, but the way the bar community has pulled together has been an inspiration to the entire hospitality sector,” said Mr. Sansom. “Asia has led the way for the rest of the world to follow and continues to be an incubator for fresh ideas and exciting new talent.” — J.L. Garcia
Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 2022
1. Coa (Hong Kong)
2. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
3. Argo (Hong Kong)
4. Tesouro (Colva, Goa, India)
5. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)
6. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei)
7. Charles H (Seoul)
8. MO Bar (Singapore)
9. Manhattan (Singapore)
10 BKK Social Club (Bangkok)
11. Sober Company (Shanghai)
12. Republic (Singapore)
13. Darkside (Hong Kong)
14. Sidecar (New Delhi)
15. No Sleep Club (Singapore)
16. Quinary (Hong Kong)
17. Tropic City (Bangkok)
18. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou, China)
19. Vesper (Bangkok)
20. Lamp Bar (Nara, Japan)
21. The SG Club (Tokyo)
22. Penicillin (Hong Kong)
23. Atlas (Singapore)
24. Aha Saloon (Taipei)
25. Bar Trench (Tokyo)
26. Hoots’ (New Delhi)
27. Tippling Club (Singapore)
28. Bar Cham (Seoul)
29. Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur)
30. Home (New Delhi)
31. Sago House (Singapore)
32. The Cocktail Club (Jakarta)
33. The Pontiac (Hong Kong)
34. The Wise King (Hong Kong)
35. Junglebird (Kuala Lumpur)
36. Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
37. Analogue (Singapore)
38. The Aubrey (Hong Kong)
39. Le Chamber (Seoul)
40. Alice (Seoul)
41. Memento Mori (Tokyo)
42. Smoke & Bitters (Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka)
43. Asia Today (Bangkok)
44. Copitas (Bengaluru, India)
45. Union Trading Company (Shanghai)
46. The Bamboo Bar (Bangkok)
47. Bee’s Knees (Kyoto, Japan)
48. Zest (Seoul)
49. 28 HongKong Street (Singapore)
50. Speak Low (Shanghai)