The Mexican-inspired craft cocktail bar in Hong Kong retains its top spot, while Singapore's own Jigger & Pony earned the No. 2 spot and was declared the Best Bar in the Lion City
It's official: Hong Kong bar Coa is a legend. The Mexican craft-inspired watering hole has been named the best bar in Asia for an unprecedented third time in a row. Following closely behind, also for the third consecutive year, is Singapore's own Jigger & Pony, cementing its status as the best in the Lion City.
Singapore bars did the city proud, dominating the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list with 11 spots, while Hong Kong bars earned eight mentions on the list, including a re-entry for Old Man at No. 47.
In its 10th year of operations, Jigger & Pony was also named the Rémy Martin Legend of the List for performing most consistently since debuting at eighth place on the inaugural list in 2016.
Elsewhere in Singapore, Purvis Street cocktail bar leapt up 29 spots to No. 7, while Sago House climbed up 21 rungs to reach 10th place. It was also named recipient of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award for its (often boisterous) hospitality.
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Prominent Singapore bar owner Vijay Mudaliar found not one but two of his bars on the list: Native at No. 42 and Analogue at No. 15—up 22 spots from last year. With a sustainable ethos (think 3D-printed bar counter made from recycled materials), Analogue also took the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. Another name to note is Stay Gold Flamingo, which made its debut at No. 32, an impressive feat for first-time bar owners Jerrold Khoo and Bai JiaWei.
But these accolades were not the only reason to celebrate at the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel on Tuesday night. Held in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the eighth edition of the awards was attended by bar industry luminaries from around the world. Mark Sansom, content director of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, deemed it the “ultimate reunion party”, as representatives from all 50 bars on the list were present.
Jay Khan, the industry veteran behind Coa, described the Central bar’s win as a “dream”.
“I was born here and grew up here, and it means everything to me,” he said. ”I’ve seen how Hong Kong evolved from just karaoke bars—where I started—and it makes me super proud to be able to represent Hong Kong.”
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