Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list has been released and Hong Kong’s Bar Leone takes the number one spot. Bengaluru’s ZLB23, located inside The Leela Palace Bengaluru, is part of the list coming in at number 40. This is the only Indian bar in the top 50 list. Last week the 51-100 extended list was released and four bars from India had made the cut.
The winners were announced in a special ceremony hosted in Hong Kong. ZLB23 is a speakeasy that serves prohibition-style cocktails such as Kyoto Sunrise, Monkey Gland, Sazerac and a Japanese Old Fashioned, made with Tenjaku whiskey. The bar also has an impressive collection of Japanese whiskies such as Hibiki, Akashi Red Blended and Komagatake. The exclusive bar has a secret entrance within the hotel, which poses a fun challenge for guests. The decor and menu is Kyoto-esque. The chic venue hosts live jazz gigs and international bar takeovers regularly. ZLB also won the prestigious title of the Best Bar in India, at the event. On winning the award, Madhav Sehgal, Area Vice President – South India said, “From conceptualisation to design, execution and bringing to life, the journey of ZLB23 has been gratifying and memorable. Noteworthy aspects along the journey include the coming of age of the Indian cocktail story on a global scale and the revival of original speakeasy bar concepts. Leading the narrative from the front, luxury hotel bars have redefined the landscape. I am sure that ZLB23 will continue to inspire its patrons, associates and also the industry at large, in its commitment to the craft of mixology and creating world-class bar experiences in India.”
A cocktail at ZLB | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
At the ceremony, a special award was given to bartender Yangdup Lama, the co-owner of New Delhi’s Sidecar. Yangdup was crowned the Roku Industry Icon 2024. His bar Sidecar came in at number 84 on the extended list. Speaking over telephone an ecstatic Yangdup said, “I am extremely happy and feel accomplished because my village elders (Gayabari, near Darjeeling) are as excited as I am. The village Whatsapp group hasn’t stopped buzzing with messages congratulating me. The award for a surprise for me. I wasn’t expecting it.”
On the list this year, Singapore has the most number of bars with 11 entries. Jigger and Pony, popular for drinks such as Velvet Negroni, is on number 3. Barc from Nepal is a new entry on the list this year at number 39. This is the first time in 50 years that a new entrant on the list has taken the first spot. Bar Leone serves cocktails Yuzu Gimlet, Olive Oil Sour and West Side Smash, which embody the Italian ethos of ‘cocktail popolari’ or ‘cocktails for the people’.
Here is the complete list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024
1. Bar Leone (Hong Kong)
2. Zest (Seoul)
3. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
4. Coa (Hong Kong)
5. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)
6. Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
7. BKK Social Club (Bangkok)
8. Penrose (Kuala Lumpur)
9. Argo (Hong Kong)
10. The Aubrey (Hong Kong)
11. Virtù (Tokyo)
12. The Cocktail Club (Jakarta)
13. Vesper (Bangkok)
14. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou)
15. Sago House (Singapore)
16. Night Hawk (Singapore)
17. Darkside (Hong Kong)
18. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (Bangkok)
19. The Savory Project (Hong Kong)
20. Bar Cham (Seoul)
21. Bar Us (Bangkok)
22. The St. Regis Bar (Macao)
23. The SG Club (Tokyo)
24. Penicillin (Hong Kong)
25. Offtrack (Singapore)
26. Quinary (Hong Kong)
27. Pantja (Jakarta)
28. Craftroom (Osaka)
29. Smoke & Bitters (Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka)
30. Vender (Taichung, Taiwan)
31. Native (Singapore)
32. Origin Bar (Singapore)
33. The Curator (Manila)
34. The Bellwood (Tokyo)
35. Analogue Initiative (Singapore)
36. Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur)
37. Bar Mood (Taipei)
38. Employees Only (Singapore)
39. Barc (Kathmandu)
40. ZLB23 (Bengaluru, India)
41. Reka (Kuala Lumpur)
42. Fura (Singapore)
43. CMYK (Changsha, China)
44. The Public House (Taipei)
45. Mostly Harmless (Hong Kong)
46. Alice (Seoul)
47. The Halflington (Hanoi)
48. Le Chamber (Seoul)
49. Atlas (Singapore)
50. Pine & Co (Seoul)
With inputs from Prabalika M. Borah
