Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 - full list revealed at Awards Ceremony in Macau

Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou Takes The No.1 Rank at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026

July 29th, 2026

Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou has been crowned The Best Bar in Asia 2026, sponsored by Perrier, at the annual ceremony celebrating Asia’s 50 Best Bars – this year held in Macau. The bar also took the title of The Best Bar in Mainland China, marking a landmark year for China’s fast-evolving cocktail scene. The full line up of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 was announced at Wynn Palace, Macau, and honoured 50 bars from 22 cities, including 14 new entries and two re-entries, underscoring the region’s dynamism, creativity and cross-cultural exchange.

Hope & Sesame’s victory also crowns a milestone year for Mainland China, with a new generation of bars soaring into the list and capturing China its highest ever tally with seven places. Shenzhen comes of age with two bars in the top 10 – MO Bar Shenzhen rises to No.5 for its “liquid tribute to Chinese cultural heritage” atop the sky-high Mandarin Oriental, while gothic-chic hotspot Obsidian Bar, perched atop the Ping An Finance Centre, is a high-flying debutante at No.10. On Shanghai’s lively Jinxian Road bar strip, Pony Up is a new entry at No.19. In Chengdu, Ralph’s Bar at Ralph Lauren’s first dining store in China debuts at No.28. In Beijing, Tiao, tucked within a hutong at Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, joins the list at No.50.

Bangkok is reinforced as a regional powerhouse, retaining its crown as Asia’s most densely-represented cocktail capital with eight spots in the 1-50 list. Dry Wave Cocktail Studio rises from its debut last year to No.4, clinching The Best Bar in Thailand. One of Bangkok’s most talked-about cocktail legends, Bar Us, retains the No.6 spot, while soaring into No.7, debutante Lennon’s atop the Rosewood hotel with its retro Great Gatsby-style speakeasy inspired by a home recording studio. Other bars awarded included Genteel Bar Sathorn, set within the heritage House on Sathorn; BKK Social Club, where Latin American glamour meets Thai hospitality at Four Seasons Bangkok placed at No.20. Hidden speakeasy Opium, named after the location’s previous life as an opium den, rises to No.25. In a serene courtyard of lush greenery and a koi-carp pond at Anantara Siam Bangkok, chic jazz spot Aqua Bar is another new entry at No.48.

Hong Kong remains a regional authority in bar culture, with seven bars placing on the prestigious list. Last year’s No.1, Bar Leone, which is inspired by the bars of Rome’s Trastevere district came in at the No.3 spot, garnering continued recognition as The Best Bar in Hong Kong. Gokan, the eponymous bar by internationally renowned Japanese mixologist Shingo Gokan, rises to No.22. Inspired by Mexican drinking dens with agave tequila and traditional mezcal cocktails, perennial favourite Coa ranked No.24, while Shelley Tai took the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award for her first Hong Kong cocktail bar Mius, placed at No.36 on the list. And Newly opened Montana – which pays homage to Cuba’s golden age through an exuberant Miami disco haze entered at No.47.

Singapore maintains stability across multiple tiers of the list with four spots, led by plush drinking den stalwart Jigger & Pony at No.9 and The Best Bar in Singapore award. Other Singapore bars listed included Nutmeg & Clove at No.12; Offtrack at No.16; and Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel at No.47.