It is a big day for bars across Asia as the list of “Asia’s 50 Best Bars is finally out. The list, sponsored by Perrier, was released at the Wynn Palace in Macau on July 28, 2026. Its extended version that listed bars that ranked between No. 51 and 100 was released earlier this month.
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou has topped the list; becoming the first bar from Mainland China to do so. The bar, started in 2016, is tucked away behind a traditional Cantonese store in the historical DongshanKou neighbourhood, in the heart of old Guangzhou.
Bars in Bangkok lead the list with eight entries, while Hong Kong follows with seven bars. Singapore places four bars, led by Jigger & Pony (No.9), named The Best Bar in Singapore. Seoul maintains a strong showing with Zest at No.2, retaining The Best Bar in Korea for the third consecutive year. Impressive show by Jakarta that has placed four bars on the list with Modernhaus at No. 11, Cosmo Party at No. 15, Carrots Bar at No. 21, and The Golden Tooth at No. 40. Sri Lanka and Philippines also make their presence felt with one bar each on the list.
From India, three bars (two from Bengaluru and one from Goa) have made it to the list.
India’s Presence On The List Of Asia’s 50 Best Bars
On one of the most prestigious lists for cocktail bars and speakeasies across Asia, India marked its presence with three bars. At No. 8 is Goa’s Boilermaker, Soka, Bengaluru on No. 18, and on No. 30 is Bar Spirit Forward, Bengaluru. Know more about the bars that have placed the country on the list.
Boilermaker, Goa (No. 8)
Equal parts beach shack, dive bar and craft beer destination, Boilermaker captures Goa’s carefree spirit with infectious energy. Bartenders keep the conversation flowing while theatrically serving mini cocktails and an irresistible menu of comfort food. Founded by Pankaj Balachandran and Nakul Bhonsle in 2024, the drinks roster features craft beers from Bhonsle’s Great State Aleworks, including IPAs, lagers, draught ales, and Goa’s first Scotch ale brewed with smoked malt. Innovative cocktails shaken by Balachandran’s bar consultancy Countertop include complex and clean sips like Why Did The Onion Blush? (gin, lychee, red onion, green chilli, yoghurt) and Apple Of My Eye, a whiskey highball made with red apples and Bajra soda.
The food menu reimagines Goan bar bites such as the Lal Bhaji Melt with amaranth leaves, caramelised onions, cheddar, mozzarella and a beer mustard-mayo, and Pickled Cucumbers in Balchão (spicy, vinegary sauce), crafted to complement the drinks. While everything at Boilermaker is carefully considered, the feeling of being there is that of a remarkably relaxed place that’s made to hang out with your gang.
Address: Church, Vaddi Siolim . Enroute Thalassa from, opposite Vailanka Wine store, Siolim, Goa, 403517
SOKA, Bengaluru (No. 18)
Located in the pub-laden neighbourhood of Indiranagar in Bengaluru, SOKA is the result of a partnership between bartender Avinash Kapoli and Chef Sombir Choudhary. The bar that has ranked No. 18 on this year’s list of Asia’s 50 best bars brings together refined design, an infectious party energy, outstanding cocktails, and a food roster that stands apart.
For your cocktail orders, loyalists recommend you start with the Pi Pi Martini that pairs Indian gin and jujube-pickled brine and dry vermouth. Follow it up with Made in Heaven, another iconic sip that features aged and coconut rums combined with frozen strawberries, coconut milk, and pineapple. Chef Choudhary handles the food front with delicious bites like the tempura avocado taco or the chicken gyoza served with malai coconut cream sauce.
Address: No.210, A cross, 1st Main Rd, 2nd stage Indiranagar, Stage 2, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071
Bar Spirit Forward, Bengaluru (No. 30)
Ranking No. 30 on the list is Bar Spirit Forward in Bengaluru. A bustling bar with a boisterous crew manning the counters, Bar Spirit Forward is built for cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate craft, clarity, and context in their drinks. Led by industry veterans including Arijit Bose (formerly of Countertop India) and the team behind Goa’s Tesouro (ranked No.4 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022), the bar focuses on creating a buzzy atmosphere that’s punctuated by technically sound cocktails.
Sample the Vesper Martini, for which premium spirits are prediluted, frozen, and poured straight from icy bottles, delivering a frost-fresh sip. The Southern Star, a tequila and fermented fruit blend with jalapeño and guava, offers a gentle mix of spice and sweetness, while classic inspiration meets inventive execution in the Old Cuban (rum, mint, citrus, prosecco) combining the best of a mojito and French 75.
Complementing the drinks are small plates inspired by pan-Indian and global flavours. Expect elevated bar bites that change seasonally such as yams infused into both cocktails and bites, or toast topped with pickled anchovies and salsa verde.
Address: Ground Floor, Hotel Southern Star, 40/2, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
How Is This List Curated?
Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, organized by media company William Reed, is decided through a strictly confidential voting process overseen by Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy. This panel consists of more than 300 regional industry experts, including renowned bartenders, drinks writers, educators, and cocktail specialists. Neither the organizer nor award sponsors exert any influence over the results, and bars cannot apply, self-nominate, or pay to be included. Regional voter distribution is carefully balanced to reflect the development and density of top-tier cocktail destinations across Asia.
Under the voting guidelines, panel members nominate up to seven bars they have personally visited within an 18-month voting window. Up to five of these selections can be located in the panelist’s home country or SAR, though a venue must receive votes from voters in more than one country to qualify for the final ranking. Strict integrity rules prevent panelists from voting for establishments they own or have a financial interest in. Additionally, votes must be cast for the physical bar establishment itself rather than individual bartenders, temporary pop-up locations, or guest shifts.
To safeguard fairness and authenticity, professional services consultancy Deloitte acts as the official independent adjudicator. Deloitte audits all voting data and applies a normalization procedure if significant variances occur, ensuring proportional representation between country vote totals and the final list. Ultimately, the ranking stands as an independent, expert-led snapshot of current regional tastes built strictly on firsthand drinking experiences.
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