What You Need To Know About The World’s 50 Best Bars Awards Ceremony In Hong Kong
What is The World’s 50 Best Bars?
The World’s 50 Best Bars is an annual list of the best spots to drink around the world. First published in 2009, it compiles a list of outstanding bars every year as voted for by more than 700 renowned bartenders, consultants and drinks specialists from across the globe. The ranking is the ultimate international drinking guide, featuring bars from popular destinations such as Bangkok, New York, and Paris, as well as spotlighting establishments in cities that deserve more attention, like Buenos Aires and Milan.
The Academy has held annual awards ceremonies in London sponsored by Perrier since 2012, bringing together the best bartending talents from every corner of the world under one roof. Since 2022, the awards ceremony has travelled overseas, first to Barcelona, then to Singapore, and most recently to Madrid. This year, the awards will make its way to Hong Kong, marking the second time the ceremony is held in Asia.
When and where will The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 awards ceremony take place?
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 awards ceremony will take place on October 8 in Hong Kong, at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, overlooking Victoria Harbour.
What else can we expect?
The world’s most famous experts in cocktails and drinks will gather in Hong Kong, and The World’s 50 Best Bars is not wasting this rare opportunity. Besides the awards ceremony, the Academy will be hosting the Bartenders’ Feast the night before the ceremony, where the teams behind the soon-to-be-ranked cocktail spots will get to mingle. They’re also bringing back the 50 Best Signature Sessions, a series of exclusive collaborations between world-leading cocktail establishments hosted at some of Hong Kong’s hottest venues.
In the lead-up to the awards ceremony, The World’s 50 Best Bars will also unveil other exciting awards. They have just announced the winner for the Mitcher’s Art of Hospitality Award: Lady Bee in Lima, for their outstanding service and commitment to respecting Peruvian culture. They will also present the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award to an individual who has made a positive impact in the bartending world. The festivities will end with a closing party on October 9.
Who won last year?
The World’s Best Bar went to Handshake Speakeasy from Mexico City last year. The bar is inspired by the Prohibition era, evoking The Great Gatsby with its black and gold design. Their drinks list is short, but each drink is crafted with advanced culinary techniques, often taking 48 hours to prepare from start to finish.
Are there any Hong Kong bars that could make it to The World’s 50 Best Bars list?
Hong Kong has its fair share of world-renowned bars. Last year, Italian-style Bar Leone in Central ranked 2nd on the World’s 50 Best Bars list 2024, and was voted as The Best Bar in Asia. Jay Khan’s Coa also made it to the 18th spot with its Mexican-inspired cocktails. While they didn’t make the World’s Best 50 Bars list, Argo at the Four Seasons Hotel and The Savory Project by Khan and Ajit Gurung were honourable mentions last year.
