Held at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 awards ceremony took place in our very own capital city tonight. Here are the big winners from Bangkok and beyond that we’re celebrating.
After a short hiatus and a virtual ceremony last year, it feels good to be in attendance at an in-person event again. As Bangkok played host to several — over 55, if you’re counting — guest shifts and regional bar takeovers this week, the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 ceremony felt like the culmination of many, many months in the making.
The industry has been through a lot, and not only in Thailand. At the awards ceremony (and at the hefty afterparties), we found bartenders and bar lovers in arms, as chats around the bittersweet past months became a major and emotional talking point.
As much as the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 was an awards show and a numbered ranking, it was also a warm reunion. From the best bar in Asia to the big wins for Bangkok, here are the most special moments from the night.
[Hero and Featured Image Credit: BKK Social Club]
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022: Event recap
The Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 ceremony in Bangkok
Taking place at the Mandarin Oriental’s Sala Rim Naam, the hall was packed with bar industry insiders from around the region. In case you missed it, since Monday, various bartenders from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and beyond have been hosting guest shifts in bars across town. It made the wins all the more sweet, as it allowed for a celebration together, for the first time in a long time.
The best bar in Asia
The best bar in Asia was awarded to Coa in Hong Kong, followed by Singapore’s Jigger & Pony and Hong Kong’s Argo to complete the top three. They are followed by Tesouro in Goa and Bar Benfiddich from Tokyo.
This year, the list features 16 cities across Asia, and 14 new entries. Singapore scored big, with 11 positions on the list, though India also really impressed with multiple noteworthy new entries. Thailand is represented by 5 bars from Bangkok.
The best bars in Thailand
BKK Social Club was crowned the best bar in Thailand. Located within the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, BKK Social Club secured the best bar in Thailand award as well as a place in the top 10 rankings.
BKK Social Club is followed by Tropic City (No. 17), Vesper (No. 19), Asia Today (No. 43), and The Bamboo Bar (No. 46).
Including the 4 Bangkok bars in the 51-100 ranking released earlier last week, this brings Thailand to a grand total of 9 bars on the 1-100 list. It is a highly commendable recognition, given that (lest we forget), alcohol was banned for a majority period of the pandemic. Thereby we applaud our local industry greatly — on the list or not.
Special awards
A number of special awards were presented on the night, too.
For Thailand, the Michter’s Hospitality Award went to BKK Social Club at the Four Seasons Bangkok. Next, the Campari One to Watch award went to Honky Tonks Tavern, Hong Kong. Taiwan made it onto the list of special awards with the Ketel One Sustainable Bar award that went to Bar Mood, Taipei. For Malaysia, the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu was awarded to Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur.
Moving on to Singapore, the Roku Industry Icon award went to Colin Chia, a revered figure in the industry. Voted by notable names in the bar industry, the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender award was secured by Keith Mosti from Charles H, Seoul, whilst the Nikka Highest Climber award went to the MO Bar, Singapore.. For Japan, the Rémy Martin Legend of the List was awarded to Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo. The London Essence Best New Opening award went to Tesouro, Goa. Lastly, the Disaronno Highest New Entry was awarded to Argo, Hong Kong.
The full list
A warm congratulations to all winners on this list. Find the full ranking below, with Bangkok bars marked in boldface.
1. Coa, Hong Kong
2. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
3. Argo, Hong Kong
4. Tesouro, Goa
5. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
6. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
7. Charles H, Seoul
8. MO Bar, Singapore — Book Here
9. Manhattan, Singapore — Book Here
10. BKK Social Club, Bangkok
11. Sober Company, Shanghai
12. Republic, Singapore — Book Here
13. Darkside, Hong Kong
14. Sidecar, New Delhi
15. No Sleep Club, Singapore
16. Quinary, Hong Kong
17. Tropic City, Bangkok
18. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
19. Vesper, Bangkok — Book Here
20. Lamp Bar, Nara
21. The SG Club, Tokyo
22. Penicillin, Hong Kong
23. Atlas, Singapore
24. Aha Saloon, Taipei
25. Bar Trench, Tokyo
26. Hoots’, New Delhi
27. Tippling Club, Singapore
28. Bar Cham, Seoul
29. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur
30. Home, New Delhi
31. Sago House, Singapore
32. The Cocktail Club, Jakarta
33. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
34. The Wise King, Hong Kong
35. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
36. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore — Book Here
37. Analogue, Singapore
38. The Aubrey, Hong Kong — Book Here
39. Le Chamber, Seoul
40. Alice, Seoul
41. Memento Mori, Tokyo
42. Smoke & bitters, Hiriketiya
43. Asia Today, Bangkok — Book Here
44. Capitas, Bengaluru
45. Union Trading Company, Shanghai
46. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
47. Bee’s Knees, Kyoto
48. Zest, Seoul
49. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore — Book Here
50. Speak Low, Shanghai
Lisa Gries
Creative Content Director, Bangkok
Lisa is the Creative Content Director at Lifestyle Asia and Prestige Thailand. When she’s not knees-deep in SEO analysis or editorial calendars, you’ll likely find her in downward-facing dog at the yoga studio, or immersed in conversation at a secret bar in China town. Lisa writes mostly on dining, travel, and pop-culture, and is a huge fan of soup dumplings, Riesling, and power napping — in exactly that order.
Most Popular
