Asia’s Best Bars 2020: MO Bar and The Old Man Singapore Debuts on the List!

CONTENT: Andrew Kho

The Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 was announced last Thursday (14 May), with the current pandemic situation, the announcement was done via a virtual countdown which was anticipated by industry leaders and enthusiasts and streamed across the globe. This year’s announcement is very different as there was no glasses clinking, no congratulatory hugs and cheers from industry friends and partners which is usually seen during the ceremony.

For this fifth edition, Singapore lead Asia’s rankings with a total of eleven entries with Jigger & Pony clinching the No.1 spot (from where it was at No.9 last year) followed by Atlas (No.5), Native (No.6), Manhattan Bar (No.8), Tippling Club (No.17), D’Bespoke (No.23),Gibson (No.25), 28 HongKong Street (No.30),Nutmeg & Clove (No.32). Making their debut on the list are new entry MO Bar (No.46) and The Old Man Singapore (No.22). Other notable Singapore bars Employees Only, The Other Room and Operation Dagger are no longer on the list.

Neighbouring country Hong Kong takes the second spot with a total of eight entries with last year’s No.1 The Old Man Hong Kong slipping to No.2 followed by COA (No.3), Quniary (No.16), The Wise King (No.18), 8 ½ Otto E Mezzo Bombana (No.28), The Pontiac (No.35), Lobster Bar at Island Shangri-La (No.44). Making its debut on the list is new entry Caprice Bar from the Four Seasons Hong Kong (No.34)

Bar Trigona, Malaysia

Three Malaysian Bars made it to the list Bar Trigona from the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur (No.14), JungleBird (No.37) and Coley Cocktail Bar (No.48), In Bangkok, The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (No.7), Vesper (No.11), Tropic City (No.24), Rabbit Hole (No.31) and Backstage Cocktail Bar (No.33) completes the five bars who made the cut. Indonesia’s sole entry Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar retains its 2019 title Best Bar in Indonesia but dropped from last year’s No.39 spot to (No.43)

Other special awards recipients include Bar Trigona, Malaysia, winner of Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award for second year in a row; Manhattan, Singapore, winner of Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, The Old Man; Singapore, awarded London Essence Best New Opening; No Sleep Club, Singapore, awarded Campari One To Watch; Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taiwan, winner of Heering Legend of the List Award; Bar Mood, Taiwan, winner of Highest Climber Award; Jay Khan, of Coa, Hong Kong, awarded Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2020; Agung Prabowo, co-owner of The Old Man Hong Kong and Singapore, awarded the Industry Icon Award and Bee’s Knees, Japan, winner of Disaronno Highest New Entry Award.

The Old Man Singapore

Here is the full ranking of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020:

1. Jigger & Pony (Singapore) – Best Bar in Singapore
2. The Old Man (Hong Kong) – Best Bar in China
3. COA (Hong Kong)
4. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei) – Legend of the List Award and Best Bar in Taiwan
5. ATLAS (Singapore)
6. Native (Singapore)
7. The Bamboo Bar (Bangkok) – Best Bar in Thailand
8. Manhattan (Singapore) – Art of Hospitality Award
9. The SG Club (Tokyo) – Best Bar in Japan
10. AHA Saloon (Taipei)
11. Vesper (Bangkok)
12. Sober Company (Shanghai)
13. Bar Mood (Taipei) – Highest Climber Award
14. Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur) – Best Bar in Malaysia and Most Sustainable Bar Award
15. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)
16. Quinary (Hong Kong)
17. Tippling Club (Singapore)
18. The Wise King (Hong Kong)
19. Speak Low (Shanghai)
20. Bar High Five (Tokyo)
21. Bee’s Knees (Kyoto) – Highest New Entry
22. The Old Man (Singapore) – Best New Opening Award
23. D.Bespoke (Singapore)
24. Tropic City (Bangkok)
25. Gibson (Singapore)
26. Draft Land (Taipei)
27. ROOM by Le Kief (Taipei) – New Entry
28. Otto e Mezzo Bombana (Hong Kong)
29. Charles H (Seoul) – Best Bar in Korea
30. 28 HongKong Street (Singapore)
31. Rabbit Hole (Bangkok)
32. Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore) – Re-entry
33. Backstage (Bangkok)
34. Caprice (Hong Kong) – New Entry
35. The Pontiac (Hong Kong)
36. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou)
37. JungleBird (Kuala Lumpur)
38. The Odd Couple (Shanghai) – New Entry
39. Bar Trench (Japan)
40. Sidecar (New Delhi) – New Entry and Best Bar in India
41. Bar Orchard Ginza (Tokyo)
42. The Curator (Manila) – Best Bar in Philippines
43. Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar (Jakarta) – Best Bar in Indonesia
44. Lobster Bar (Hong Kong)
45. The Back Room (Manila)
46. MO Bar (Singapore) – New Entry
47. Alice (Seoul)
48. Coley (Kuala Lumpur)
49. Le Chamber (Seoul)
50. Cham Bar (Seoul) – New Entry