Cover The Old Man Hong Kong (Photo: Courtesy of Asia's 50 Best Bars)

The expanded rankings make for surprising upsets as two favourites fall out of the top 50

Closely following the new format of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2021 and just one week ahead of this year's virtual awards ceremony on May 6, Asia's 50 Best Bars has unveiled for the first time an expanded ranking of bars across the region spanning 51st to 100th place. This change reflects the awards organiser's more inclusive approach in light of the pandemic that devastated the F&B industry globally.

Despite this, Hong Kong has produced a modest showing on the 51-100 list, with only three homegrown bars making the cut compared to Singapore's six, and Tokyo's ten. Among them, The Old Man—a traditional favourite that ranked #2 in 2020 and #1 in 2019—fell a drastic 52 places this year, following the passing of the helm from co-founders Agung Prabowo and Roman Ghale to Nikita Matveev late last year. Similarly, Otto e Mezzo Bombana fell from #28 in last year's ranking to #65 this year, as head mixologist Devender Sehgal moved to lead The Aubrey's bar programme. Meanwhile, Peel Street watering hole Shady Acres, popular for its approachable wine list and tongue-in-cheek cocktails, will certainly be celebrating their debut at #68.

See also: The People in Asia Shaping The Future Of Food According To 50 Best’s 50 Next List

Whether this bodes well for Hong Kong's showing in the top 50 remains to be seen, though we believe Penicillin will make an appearance, having already been named as the winner of the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. 

Stay tuned for the announcement of Asia's 50 Best Bars, which will be streamed on May 6 (6pm) via The World's 50 Best Bars Facebook page and the 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.

Check out the full 51-100 list below:

51. The Back Room (Manila, Philippines)
52. Asia Today (Bangkok, Thailand)
53. Thaipioka (Bangkok, Thailand)
54. The Old Man (Hong Kong, China)
55. Draft Land (Taipei, Taiwan)
56. Ishinohana (Tokyo, Japan)
57. Bar Landscape (Tokyo, Japan)
58. Coley (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
59. Hoots’ (New Delhi, India)
60. Mixology Heritage (Tokyo, Japan)
61. Oto (Manila, Philippines)
62. Lamp Bar (Nara, Japan)
63. Pussyfoot Saloon (Seoul, South Korea)
64. Epic (Shanghai, China)
65. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana (Hong Kong, China)
66. Gibson (Singapore)
67. Rabbit Hole (Bangkok, Thailand)
68. The Shady Acres (Hong Kong, China)
69. The Bellwood (Tokyo, Japan)
70. Employees Only (Singapore)
71. Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall (Singapore)
72. Bar Orchard Ginza (Tokyo, Japan)
73. Botanik Rooftop Bistro & Bar (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
74. Wishbone (Semarang, Indonesia)
75. Live Twice (Singapore)
76. Ne Cocktail Bar (Hanoi, Vietnam)
77. Summer Experiment (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
78. Pahit (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
79. The Other Room (Singapore)
80. Bar Rocking Chair (Kyoto, Japan)
81. 008 Bar (Bangkok, Thailand)
82. Junior The Pocket Bar (Singapore)
83. A/A Bar (Jakarta, Indonesia)
84. Liquid Factory (Tokyo, Japan)
85. Sugar Ray You’ve Just Been Poisoned (Bangkok, Thailand)
86. Mixology Bar (Seoul, South Korea)
87. Mixology Salon (Tokyo, Japan)
88. Tender (Tokyo, Japan)
89. Soko (Seoul, South Korea)
90. Mu (Taipei, Taiwan)
91. Smoke & Bitters (Hiriketya, Sri Lanka)
92. Southside Parlor (Seoul, South Korea)
93. Smalls (Bangkok, Thailand)
94. Ark Lounge (Aomori, Japan) *tied with below
94. Bar D (Kanagawa, Japan) *tied with above
96. Hybrid (Nha Trang, Vietnam)
97. Pine & Co (Seoul, South Korea)
98. Memento Mori (Tokyo, Japan)
99. Gen Yamamoto (Tokyo, Japan)
100. Goa Nights (Macau, China) *tied with below
100. Buccaneers Rum & Cocktails (Manila, Philippines) *tied with above

Related: 8 Of The Healthiest Cocktails In Hong Kong