For the second year in a row, Bar Leone claims the top spot at Asia’s 50 Best Bars. A personal triumph for Lorenzo Antinori and his partners, who brings a slice of Rome to Hong Kong—and reshapes the cocktail landscape across the continent.
Bar Leone Holds On to No.1
There’s a name that echoes loudly through the world of Asian and global mixology: Lorenzo Antinori. With Bar Leone, his neighborhood-inspired cocktail bar in Hong Kong, the Italian bartender has secured the No.1 spot at Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the second consecutive year—firmly establishing himself as one of the leading figures on the international drinks stage.
The announcement came last night during the awards ceremony held at Wynn Palace, Macau, where the 2025 edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars was unveiled. It was a night that gathered the crème de la crème of the bar community, celebrating creativity, talent, and hospitality at its finest. And when it came time to reveal the Best Bar in Asia, the spotlight once again fell on Antinori and his team.
A Vision That Stands the Test of Time
Bar Leone’s back-to-back victory is the confirmation of a concept that’s both solid and visionary. In 2024, the bar made history by debuting directly at No.1—a first-time entry so electrifying it sent ripples through the industry.
In 2025, Antinori and his crew did it again, maintaining their lead in an increasingly competitive and dynamic scene. “Bar Leone is a tribute to authenticity and simplicity,” says Antinori. “We haven’t chased trends. Instead, we’ve brought a corner of Trastevere to Hong Kong—vintage posters, soccer memorabilia, and above all, popular cocktails that speak directly to our guests’ hearts.”
That idea of popular cocktails is the soul of Bar Leone: simple, immediate drinks, executed to perfection with subtle twists that respect the drink’s original DNA. Far from lab-driven mixology or self-serving experimentation, Antinori has chosen a path of accessible quality, transforming a neighborhood bar into a reference point not just for Asia, but for the global cocktail community.
From Rome to Hong Kong, With a Stop at 50 Best
Lorenzo Antinori’s journey is that of a bartender who has carried his personal vision well beyond Italy’s borders. After stints at Argo in Hong Kong and the legendary Dandelyan in London, Antinori decided it was time to create something entirely his own. And so Bar Leone was born—a place that pays homage to his Roman roots while embracing a democratic, convivial approach to mixology.
Asia Takes Center Stage
The Macau ceremony painted a vivid picture of a continent in constant evolution when it comes to cocktails. This year’s list welcomed 20 new entries and covered 20 different destinations—a clear sign of a scene that’s alive, thriving, and more diverse than ever. In second place, Seoul’s Zest secured the title of Best Bar in Korea for the third year running, thanks to its meticulous work with ingredients and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. The bronze medal went to Singapore’s Jigger & Pony, crowned Best Bar in Singapore for the sixth consecutive year.
Bangkok confirmed its role as a regional powerhouse with seven bars on the list: Bar Us landed at No.4 and clinched the title of Best Bar in Thailand, while Dry Wave Cocktail Studio dazzled with a debut at No.5 and took home the Highest New Entry Award. Other highlights include Vesper, awarded the Legend of the List, a nod to its enduring presence and pivotal role in Bangkok’s bar scene, and two exciting new entries: Opium Bar, led by Matteo Cadeddu, and Bar Sathorn, with Marco Dognini at the helm.
Special Awards and New Stars
Beyond Bar Leone’s triumph, the night celebrated a host of other achievements. Jay Khan, bartender and entrepreneur from Hong Kong, received the Industry Icon Award for his role in championing agave culture in Asia through Coa and The Savory Project.
In Phnom Penh, Sora took home the Sustainable Bar Award for its zero-waste philosophy, while Penang’s Backdoor Bodega, a hidden bar tucked behind a streetwear shop, won Best Cocktail Menu. Among the year’s standout newcomers, Jakarta’s Modernhaus earned the Best New Opening Award, debuting straight into the list at No.12.
Bar Leone, an Italian Story Told in Asia
Lorenzo Antinori’s success in Hong Kong is also the story of Italian heritage that knows how to speak to the world. Bar Leone is a manifesto of how tradition can be reimagined without falling into nostalgia—a formula that wins over both critics and the public. “We just want to keep doing what we do best: welcome people, make them feel good, and serve them a great drink. Simple as that,” said Antinori after the ceremony. Judging by the results, it’s a winning philosophy.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 – The Full List
Here’s the complete ranking, revealed last night at the official Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 ceremony in Macau:
- Bar Leone – Hong Kong
- Zest – Seoul
- Jigger & Pony – Singapore
- Bar Us – Bangkok
- Dry Wave Cocktail Studio – Bangkok
- Bar Cham – Seoul
- Hope & Sesame – Guangzhou
- Lair – New Delhi
- Bar Benfiddich – Tokyo
- Penrose – Kuala Lumpur
- Argo – Hong Kong
- Modernhaus – Jakarta
- Alice – Seoul
- Smoke & Bitters – Hiriketiya
- Three X Co – Kuala Lumpur
- CMYK – Changsha
- Coa – Hong Kong
- Virtù – Tokyo
- BKK Social Club – Bangkok
- Vender – Taichung
- MO Bar – Shenzhen
- The St. Regis Bar – Jakarta
- Offtrack – Singapore
- Nutmeg & Clove – Singapore
- Yakoboku – Kumamoto
- G.O.D – Bangkok
- Penicillin – Hong Kong
- Soka – Bangalore
- Vesper – Bangkok
- Boilermaker – Goa
- ZLB23 – Bangalore
- The Savory Project – Hong Kong
- Gokan – Hong Kong
- Carrots Bar – Jakarta
- Barc – Kathmandu
- Punch Room Tokyo – Tokyo
- Bar Spirit Forward – Bangalore
- Cosmo Pony – Jakarta
- Bar Trigona – Kuala Lumpur
- The Public House – Taipei
- To Infinity & Beyond – Taipei
- Moonrock – Tainan
- Opium – Bangkok
- Cat Bite Club – Singapore
- Native – Singapore
- Lamp Bar – Nara
- Reka – Kuala Lumpur
- Bar Sathorn – Bangkok
- Bar Libre – Tokyo
- Le Chamber – Seoul
It’s a list that captures the extraordinary richness and growing complexity of Asia’s cocktail scene, with Hong Kong and Bangkok leading the charge—while Jakarta, Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore continue to assert themselves as global capitals of drinking culture.
Images courtesy of 50 Best
