The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, have been announced — and for the first time in history, a bar from Asia has claimed the No.1 position. Bar Leone in Hong Kong has been named The World’s Best Bar 2025, marking a milestone moment for global cocktail culture.
The 17th edition of the annual awards celebrated the world’s most exceptional bars from 29 cities, featuring eight new entries and an even broader international reach — from Bratislava and Guangzhou to Athens, Oslo, and New York.
Bar Leone: ‘Cocktails for the People’ in Hong Kong’s Central District
Located in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central district, Bar Leone is the creation of Lorenzo Antinori, one of the world’s most respected bartenders. Drawing from the Italian concept of cocktail popolari (“cocktails for the people”), the venue blends approachable neighborhood-bar charm with high-level craft and hospitality.
Antinori — whose career includes roles at The Savoy’s American Bar and London’s Dandelyan — designed Bar Leone as a tribute to the Roman bars of the 1980s and ’90s. The rotating cocktail menu, published monthly as a Google Docs file complete with recipes and methods, embodies the bar’s belief that creativity and transparency should be shared.
Opened in mid-2023, Bar Leone quickly gained international acclaim — debuting at No.1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024and now ascending to the world’s No.1 bar within two years of opening.
“It is such a delight to unveil Bar Leone as The World’s Best Bar 2025,” said Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars. “This remarkable achievement is the first time a bar from Asia has claimed the top spot — a dazzling testament to Lorenzo and the team’s commitment to redefining hospitality excellence.”
Top 10 Bars in the World for 2025
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list showcases a global mix of creativity and craftsmanship. The top 10 includes:
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Bar Leone – Hong Kong
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Handshake Speakeasy – Mexico City
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Sips – Barcelona
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Paradiso – Barcelona
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Tayēr + Elementary – London
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Connaught Bar – London
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Moebius Milano – Milan
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Line – Athens
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Jigger & Pony – Singapore
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Tres Monos – Buenos Aires
Europe continues to dominate the list, while Asia celebrates its strongest performance ever — highlighting how global the modern bar world has become.
Special Awards and Standout Achievements
Roku Industry Icon Award: Simone Caporale, Sips (Barcelona)
Campari One To Watch Award: Bar Mauro (Mexico City)
Disaronno Highest New Entry: Mirror Bar (Bratislava, No.25)
Nikka Highest Climber: Moebius Milano (Milan, No.7)
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award: The Cambridge Public House (Paris)
Three Cents Best New Opening: Sip & Guzzle (New York)
Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu: Backdoor Bodega (Penang)
Best Bar Design Award: Tigra + Disco Pantera (Sydney)
Rémy Martin Legend of the List: Baba au Rum (Athens)
Regional honors include Mimi Kakushi (Dubai) as Best Bar in the Middle East and Hero Bar (Nairobi) as Best Bar in Africa — both first-time winners for their regions.
New Entries and Emerging Destinations
The 2025 list celebrates new entries from Bratislava, Oslo, Tirana, Guangzhou, Lima, and Tokyo, showcasing how the bar industry’s creative energy continues to expand beyond traditional cocktail capitals.
Among the newcomers, Mirror Bar in Bratislava was recognized as the Disaronno Highest New Entry, while Sip & Guzzle in New York took the Three Cents Best New Opening Award.
A Global Celebration of Craft, Culture, and Community
This year’s results reaffirm that hospitality excellence is thriving across every continent. From Hong Kong’s people-first philosophy to Milan’s design-driven innovation, the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list reflects a shared vision — creativity, authenticity, and connection.
“With more cocktail capitals represented than ever before, this ranking continues to serve as a vibrant compass for curious drinkers and passionate explorers alike,” said Sleight.
