Hong Kong bar The Old Man has been crowned the best bar in Asia in the annual “Asia’s 50 Best Bars” list for 2019, the results of which came out last night.
According to the award’s official website, the rankings are determined by a group of “200 drinks experts, including renowned bartenders and consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists from across Asia.” This year’s list features nine countries, with 12 new entries.
The Ernest Hemingway-themed bar — which takes its name after his novel The Old Man and the Sea — nabbed fifth place in last year’s list months after it first opened in August 2017. It also has a sister establishment by the same name in Singapore at Keong Saik Road.
Coming in second is Manhattan, dropping one spot from its victorious perch last year. Taiwan’s Indulge Experimental Bistro and Singapore’s Native and Atlas round up the top five, while High Five in Tokyo takes sixth spot, followed by Shanghai’s Speak Low, The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, Jigger & Pony in Singapore, and Hong Kong’s Quinary.
Other bars repping us on the list include Tippling Club (#11), Gibson (#15), 28 HongKong Street (#21), Operation Dagger (#22), D.Bespoke (#25), Employees Only (#41), and The Other Room (#46).
Elsewhere in the region, Coley clinches the title of Best Bar in Malaysia at 27th place, Charles H is top in Korea at 14th spot, The Curator shows off the finest of the Philippines at 37th position, and Indonesia’s Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar represents the country at 39th place.
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