HONG KONG — At The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 award ceremony, held in Hong Kong last night, Bar Leone in Hong Kong ranked No.1 on list, making it the first bar in Asia to be awarded the title. It also took home the title of The Best Bar in Asia 2025.
Nestled in Hong Kong’s Central district, Bar Leone is the brainchild of Lorenzo Antinori, whose storied resume encompasses some of Europe and Asia’s most beloved hotel bars, including London’s American Bar at The Savoy and the now-defunct Dandelyan. Built on the philosophy of "cocktail popolari" or "cocktails for the people", Bar Leone pays tribute to the neighbourhood bars of Rome, where locals gather for coffee, aperitivi and casual conversation. The interior is a love letter to the city in the 80s and 90s and is designed to be approachable, unpretentious and deeply rooted in Italian culture and hospitality.
The 2025 list features bars from 29 cities with eight new entries spread across Athens, Bratislava, Guangzhou, Lima, New York, Oslo, Tirana and Tokyo. In Bangkok, Bar Us rose a remarkable 26 places to No.15 and BKK Social Club is at No.49.
Bar Us.
BKK Social Club.
Of the 23 bars in Europe, London reigned supreme as the region’s cocktail capital with four bars: Tayēr + Elementary at No.5, Connaught Bar at No.6, Satan’s Whiskers at No.21 and Scarfes Bar at No.31. They were joined by Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons at No.34.
The title of The Best Bar in Europe was retained for the third time by Barcelona’s Sips at No.3 as co-founder Simone Caporale was awarded the Industry Icon Award. Paradiso in Barcelona came No.4 with Madrid’s Salmon Guru at No.37. Athens continues its ascendancy, with Line at No.8 alongside Baba au Rum, this year’s Legend Of The List, at No.27 and new entry The Bar In Front Of The Bar at No.47.
Milan’s Moebius Milano was the Highest Climber, having risen an impressive 31 places to No.7. It was joined by 1930 in Milan at No.43, with Florence’s Locale Firenze at No.22 and Rome’s Drink Kong at No.40. Paris was represented by Bar Nouveau, rising 22 places to No.17, The Cambridge Public House (No.20) and Danico (No.30).
For the first time, bars from Eastern Europe were ranked in the list, with new entries Mirror Bar in Bratislava at No.25 and Nouvelle Vague in Tirana at No.28. In Scandinavia, Oslo’s Himkok (No.14) was joined by another new entry, Svanen at No.32, with Röda Huset in Stockholm at No.35.
New York City reaffirmed its status as North America's cocktail powerhouse, with four bars making this year’s list: Superbueno (rising 15 places to No.12), who was joined by newcomer Sip & Guzzle (No.39), named this year’s Three Cents Best New Opening, alongside Double Chicken Please (No.41) and Overstory (No.46). In New Orleans, Jewel Of The South is No.44.
In Mexico City, The Best Bar in North America is Handshake Speakeasy at No.2, with Tlecān, a new entry in 2024, at No.23. Bar Mauro, which placed at No.54 on the extended list of bars ranked 51-100, is the recipient of the One To Watch Award. The Best Bar in South America is once again Buenos Aires’ Tres Monos at No.10, with neighbour CoChinChina at No.26. Lima’s Lady Bee is No.13 and the recipient of this year’s Art Of Hospitality Award, alongside new entry Sastrería Martinez at No.33. Alquímico in Cartagena is No.11 while São Paulo’s Tan Tanis No.24.
With three bars on the list, stalwart Bar Benfiddich (No.18) was joined by Virtù at No.45 and new entry The Bellwood at No.48. Host city Hong Kong also had Coa at No.38 on the list. Singapore’s Jigger & Pony is No.9, with creative director and partner Uno Jang being the recipient of this year’s Bartenders’ Bartender Award, while Nutmeg & Clove is No.50. Seoul’s Zest is No.16 with new entry Hope & Sesame, the first bar from Guangzhou to feature at No.29. The winner of the Best Cocktail Menu Award is Penang’s Backdoor Bodega.
Mimi Kakushi in Dubai (No.36) was named The Best Bar in the Middle East, while Nairobi’s Hero Bar was crowned The Best Bar in Africa after ranking No.69 on the extended list. This is the first time either accolade has been awarded as part of The World’s 50 Best Bars, having previously been presented as The Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa.
At No.19, Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage retains its title as The Best Bar in Australasia, at No.19, with Sydney’s Maybe Sammy at No.42. The Best Bar Design Award is bestowed upon Sydney’s Tigra + Disco Pantera.
Highlights at a glance:
• Bar Leone in Hong Kong ranks No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, the first time this has been awarded to a bar in Asia.
• Simone Caporale of Barcelona’s Sips was awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award.
• Bar Mauro in Mexico City received the One To Watch Award.
• The Cambridge Public House in Paris won the Sustainable Bar Award.
• Entering the list at No.25 and winner of the Highest New Entry Award was Bratislava’s Mirror Bar.
• Moebius Milano in Milan moved up 31 places to No.7 and claimed the Highest Climber Award.
• Baba au Rum in Athens is named Legend Of The List.
• New York’s Sip & Guzzle won this year’s Best New Opening Award.
• Backdoor Bodega in Penang won the Best Cocktail Menu Award.
• The Best Bar Design Award was presented to Tigra + Disco Pantera in Sydney.
• Mimi Kakushi is The Best Bar in the Middle East.
• Hero Bar is The Best Bar in Africa.
