From Singapore’s chic speakeasies to rooftop lounges in Phnom Penh, Asia ’s 50 Best Bars 2025 extended list spotlights the rising stars of Asia’s cocktail scene—and what it means for bar culture from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Philly to NYC.
What happens in Asia’s bar scene doesn’t stay in Asia—not anymore.
The newly released Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 Extended List (51–100) reads like a cocktail-fueled itinerary across 23 cities and 14 new entries, capturing the imagination of discerning drinkers from Los Angeles to Manhattan, Las Vegas to Philadelphia, and even the classic bar culture strongholds of Washington DC.
Why should you care about a list that spans thousands of miles from Koreatown to Kaohsiung? Because these aren’t just bars—they’re trend incubators, flavor laboratories, and next-gen nightlife destinations that are already inspiring menus and concepts here in the U.S. Plus, with international travel back in full swing, your next favorite bar might just be one flight—and one reservation—away.
Singapore Leads the Pack, Again
Los Angeles bar enthusiasts looking for where the real innovation is happening should look no further than Singapore. The city-state landed six spots on the extended list, led by Side Door at No.53. Run by Bannie Kang (Asia’s Bartenders’ Bartender 2021) and Tryson Quek, Side Door is redefining what it means to be a “neighborhood” bar. Think: minimalist design, elevated bar bites, and cocktail programs that could make a Silver Lake mixologist rethink everything.
Sago House, Origin Bar, Night Hawk, Employees Only, and Fura also made the cut—proof that Singapore continues to set the global standard for bar craftsmanship and hospitality.
Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo & Taipei: Cocktail Capitals in Motion
Four cities—Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo—each earned four entries on the list, further staking their claim as the Asia-Pacific region’s cocktail heavyweights. And the stories are as rich as the drinks.
In Seoul, Gong Gan—a bar inside a traditional hanok (Korean house)—soared 26 places to land at No.63. Over in Shanghai, the horse-themed Pony Up debuts at No.97, while Coa’s Shanghai outpost (No.85) reminds us why its Hong Kong original was Asia’s top bar three years in a row.
Taipei’s Lab (No.57), helmed by part-scientist, part-bartender Makita Takafumi, is reimagining mixology as molecular storytelling. Meanwhile, Tokyo’s The SG Club (No.99) and Gold Bar (No.67) continue to lead the charge for Japanese refinement and technique.
Newcomers & Underdogs
If you’re the type who seeks out the under-the-radar gems before they hit the mainstream, this year’s list delivers.
Phnom Penh enters the rankings for the first time with Sora (No.65), a glamorous rooftop bar with 360-degree views of the Cambodian capital. In Shenzhen, Obsidian Bar (No.51) barely missed the main 50—but made a big impression with its vintage whisky menu and dramatic, multi-level space.
Kaohsiung’s Maltail (No.75) is another one to watch, proving that single malt whisky cocktails are no longer confined to cigar lounges and grand hotels.
What It Means for U.S. Drinkers
Bars across L.A., New York, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia are increasingly pulling inspiration from their Asian counterparts. Highballs infused with yuzu and shiso, minimalist interiors with zen flourishes, hyper-local ingredients—these are no longer niche; they’re becoming expected. Many of the techniques, spirits, and storytelling styles celebrated in Asia’s 51–100 list are already being mirrored in American cocktail dens from the Lower East Side to Echo Park.
Expect to see more Asian ingredients and global collaborations—perhaps even pop-ups featuring these international names.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, put it best:
“We’ve continued to be inspired by the remarkable creativity and boundary-pushing bars that spotlight the diverse drink cultures of Asia… a region in constant evolution.”
What’s Next?
The main Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list will be unveiled on July 15 in Macau, a first for the awards, in partnership with Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace. The event will be streamed live on the 50 Best YouTube channel, and it’s likely to stir up even more buzz for cross-Pacific collaborations.
Whether you’re a jet-setting barfly or just someone who wants to know where the future of cocktails is heading, this list is a roadmap—and a wake-up call.
So next time you order that old fashioned in DTLA, ask yourself: is it time to book a flight?
