The 2025 edition of "The World's 50 Best Bars" was unveiled yesterday (Oct. 8) at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, with Hong Kong's Bar Leone taking the top spot as the world's best bar. This marks the first time an Asian bar has claimed the number one position in the history of the rankings.
"The World's 50 Best Bars" list is determined by an international panel of beverage and hospitality industry experts and is widely regarded as a prestigious accolade, celebrating the finest bars across the globe. This year's awards ceremony, following its 2023 debut in Singapore, returned to Asia and was hosted in HK for the very first time, with full support from the city's Tourism Board.
The newly announced rankings feature two HK bars, Bar Leone and COA. Bar Leone, in particular, made history as the first Asian bar to secure the top spot.
Lorenzo Antinori, co-founder of Bar Leone, expressed his immense gratitude during a media interview, saying that receiving this honor in HK is not only a personal achievement but also a proud moment for the city. He highlighted that HK's bar scene is incredibly diverse, and Bar Leone draws inspiration from Italian perspectives while incorporating local ingredients into its creations.
Antinori emphasized the bar's commitment to quality and its dedication to constant improvement. He also revealed that the team is planning to open a new bar in Shanghai this November, stating that they are thrilled and eager to bring their vision to this vibrant "Magic City."
HK's other honored bar, COA, ranked 38th on this year's list, making it the second-best in the city. Founder Jay Khan shared in an interview that the recognition is deeply meaningful to his team, and he is satisfied with this year's ranking. Looking ahead, he said they remain grounded, acknowledging there is always room for growth.
Khan also mentioned that COA, now approaching its ninth year in operation, is considering a minor renovation to further enhance the bar's experience.
(Journalist: Chen Zimeng; English Editor: Zoey SUN)
Related News
Watch This | HK Wine & Dine Festival to kick off on Oct. 23! Indulge in food, drinks, and fun
Comment