This summer, Hong Kong is set to become the epicentre of mixology as it hosts Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the second consecutive year. Keep reading for a list of standout guest shifts taking place in the days surrounding the ceremony on July 16.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars is a prestigious event that aims to highlight and celebrate the region’s best and most innovative talents in the drinks industry. This highly anticipated ceremony will bring renowned mixologists from the finest bars around the world to the Hong Kong, where they will showcase their signature drinks. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast or just looking for a unique night out, these guest shifts offer an exclusive opportunity to witness the craftsmanship of world-class bartenders.
When: 9pm to 12am
Experience the tropical charm of Bali at Terrible Baby as Devita Anjani and Agustin Da Sambiagio from Potato Head serves signature cocktails, crafted with a focus on sustainability.
When: 6pm to 11pm
Lobster Bar will host CMYK (Winner of Drink Awards 2023’s Cocktail Menu, New Bar of the Year) from Changsha and Epic Bar (#41 on World’s 50 Best Bars 2021) from Shanghai.
When: 6pm to 10pm
What: Join Angelo Immorlano, a bartender of 18 years as he shakes up innovative Michelin-recognised cocktails from Nobu Dubai to Hong Kong.
When: 3pm to 6pm
Three renowned bars from Singapore will each bring their own unique flair to this guest shift. Origin Bar (#95 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023), Stay Gold Flamingo (#32 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023), and Atlas (#27 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023) will be the featured establishments.
When: 8pm to 11pm
Side Hustle Bar from the NoMad Hotel in London will be offering vibrant Latin American inspired cocktails featuring a diverse selection of agave-based spirits chosen by Bar Director Liana Oster. Accompanied by groovy beats, this guest shift promises to provide an unforgettable night.
When: July 14 and 15 from 6pm onwards
Five unique cocktails such as the Blackened Eggplant Punch or the Sencha Milk Punch will be featured in this guest shift from bartenders Louis Tan and Edwin Lopez from Burnt Ends Bar in Singapore. The cocktails will perfectly complement the dishes from American steakhouse Henry.
When: July 14 and 15 from 8:30pm to 11pm
Indulge in cocktails from one of the best bars in Germany, Wax on Berlin (#29 on World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) at DarkSide (#9 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023). Five award-winning cocktails will be offered, crafted by Wax On’s Owner and Director Sam Orrock and Bar Manager Guste Paliukaite.
When: 7pm to 10pm
Sip on signature cocktails from Hope & Sesame (#39 on Asia’s Best Bars 2023, The Best Bar in Mainland China 2023) founders Bastien Ciocca and Andrew Ho. Look forward to their innovative creations using techniques like sous vide infusions and dry ice distillation.
When: 8pm to 11pm
From Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur, Bar Trigona (#36 on Asia’s Best Bars 2023) is set to deliver some of KL’s best drinks to Hong Kong. Join bar manager Rohan Matmary and resident bartender Melvin Lim for an event featuring premium craft shochu as part of the Iichiko Saiten series.
When: 5pm to 11pm
Visit Terrible Baby’s terrace bar for a takeover from the famed D.C. speakeasy Allegory (#23 on North America’s 50 Best Bars). Creative Director Deke Dunn alongside Terrible Baby Bar Manager Axel Gonzalez will be co-hosting a friends from the 50 Best circuit for a dynamic guest shift.
When: 5pm to 8pm
Head bartender Keith Motsi of Tokyo’s Virtù (Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award as part of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, #20 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023) will be taking over Caprice Bar in Four Seasons Hong Kong.
When: 5pm onwards
Join sustainable bars Zest (#5 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023) from Seoul and Himkok (#10 World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) from Oslo to enjoy eco-friendly cocktails at Penicillin, one of Hong Kong’s top bars.
When: 7pm to 11pm
Jaemin Shin, Assistant Bar Manager of The Warehouse Lobby Bar will be joined by OBP’s owner Daniel Eun for a guest shift promising party vibes and exceptional cocktails.
When: 8pm to 12am
Seoul’s Gong Gan and its famed Willy Park will be joining Orchard and Alex Pun for a one-night-only guest shift celebrating the latter’s signature fruity concoctions.
When: 6pm to 10pm
Jakarta’s Cosmo Pony and Bangkok’s Vespa (#55 on World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) will both be taking the stage at the Aubrey this July 15. Renowned mixologist Silvio Daniele from Cosmo Pony presents ‘Rising City’, a menu featuring interactive cocktails that highlight Jakarta’s unique spirits and ingredients. British Bar Manager Tom Hearn from Vesper will serve creative cocktails from one of Bangkok’s most beloved bars.
When: 9pm to 12am
This vibrant themed party will feature Handshake Speakeasy (#3 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, #1 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024), a legendary bar from Mexico City. This guest shift will be a perfect lead-up to the announcement of Asia’s best bars the following day.
When: 9pm to 12am
Terrible Baby will be hosting two of Hanoi’s best bars on July 15. Sean Halse from The Hudson Room and Collin Nguyen and Thomas Nguyen from Haflington will be the bartenders for this guest shift.
When: 2pm to 5pm
Shelley Tai and Colin Chia from Singaporean bar Nutmeg & Clove (#7 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023) will be joining Fabio La Pietra and Alex Alves Sepulchro from Brazilian bar SubAstor for this guest shift.
When: 4pm until sold out
Visit Tell Camelia for a guest shift featuring four excellent bars from Taiwan, including The Public House, To Infinity and Beyond, and Moonrock. The evening will highlight Taiwan’s top cocktails with each bar providing unique flavours.
When: 3pm to 6pm
#1 and #3 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, Barcelona Sips and Handshake Speakeasy respectively, will craft tequila and mezcal cocktails at COA on July 15. The bartenders for this guest shift will be Simone Caporale of Barcelona’s Sips and Eric Van Beek of Handshake Speakeasy, and they will be collaborating with Jay Khan from Coa for this special event.
When: 7pm to 11pm
Chief Cocktail Officer Gabriel Gliga of The Pickwicks Chronicles in Bangkok will join Zuma Hong Kong’s Bar Manager Andre Makerevich to present a distinctive selection of cocktails.
When: 8pm to 11pm
Cofounders of Singapore’s Barbary Coast, Celia Schoonraad and Michael Callahan will take over Call Me Al for a guest shift as the finale of the Iichiko Saiten series.
When: 8pm to 1am
The Green Door will be hosting an all-female lineup of ten excellent bartenders, presented by The Orientalist Spirits. The bartenders hail from bars all across Asia and include Chun Chun (The Pi, Vietnam), Chunyanuch “Ning” Yodsuwan (Bangkok Social Club, Thailand), Ellen Xu (Chimney, China), Fahbeer (Lost in Thaislation, Thailand), Hazel Long (Junior The Pocket Bar, Singapore), Lolita Goh (Jungle Bird, Malaysia), Pei (Under Lab, Taiwan), Siyoung Park (Bar Factory, South Korea), Yu Abiko (Bee’s Knees, Japan), and Zana Mohlmann (Manhattan, Singapore).
When: 9pm to 12am
Hanoi’s best bars will join forces to take over Terrible Baby. Sean Halse from The Hudson Rooms, along with Collin Nguyen and Thomas Nguyen from The Haflington, will showcase their craftsmanship through signature cocktails.
When: 10pm to 2am
Head Bartender Odd Strandbakken of Charles H. at Four Seasons Seoul (#42 on World’s Best 50 Bars 2021) will collaborate with Jun-Yi Jun of Singapore’s No Sleep Club for this guest shift to round off the award night.
When: 6pm to 10pm
Beverage Director and co-founder Takuma Watanabe from New York City bar Martiny’s (#4 on North America’s 50 Best Bars, Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar) will offer a refined cocktail experience at The Aubrey. Watanabe trained under mentors like Shuzo Nagumo and Shingo Gokan in Tokyo, before joining Martiny’s and leading it to gain the titles and rankings that it holds today.
When: 4pm until late
Award winning bar Jigger & Pony (#2 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, #14 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) from Singapore will promise an exciting night with drinks accompanied by retro disco DJ set and delicious pizza.
When: 7pm to 11pm
After a collaboration with Gong Gan on the 14th, Alex Pun and his fruit spirit-centric bar Orchard will welcome Ryan Germino of Bangkok’s AQUA Bar and Thanesh from Penang’s Backdoor Bodega for yet another wonderful evening.
When: 6pm to 7pm
Experience a unique blend of cultures as The Aubrey teams up with Mumbai’s The Bombay Canteen for flavour-forward cocktails served in both omakase and izakaya settings. The intimate 4-seat omakase experience allows guests to explore the taste of India alongside Japanese beverage culture.
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