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Are these Asia’s best bars?

11 Oct 2017 by Craig Bright
Solera-Aged Negroni at Manhattan, Regent Singapore

It’s time again for Drinks International’s rankings of the top bars from across the globe as part of its annual The World’s Best Bars Awards.

It was yet another good year for London and New York. Former runner-up from last year, London’s American Bar, took the top spot this year, with last year’s winner, The Dead Rabbit in New York, dropping to fifth. Dandelyan in London, The Nomad in New York and Connaught Bar in London took the second, third and fourth spots, respectively.

But 2017 was also a good year for Asia-Pacific, with 14 establishments making their way onto the list, ranging from Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai to Tokyo, Melbourne, Taipei and more. Here are the top performers.

Manhattan, Singapore

2017 world ranking: 7
2016 world ranking: 11
Location: Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore

Located in the lobby of the Regent Singapore hotel in the city’s Tanglin district, Manhattan has once again taken the top spot as the best bar in Asia-Pacific. As you’d expect, this is an American bar, with leather furnishings and heavy drapes. The bar’s piece de resistance, however, is its on-site Rick House featuring bespoke casks with classic spirits. regenthotels.com 

Speak Low, Shanghai

Speak Low, Shanghai

2017 world ranking: 10
2016 world ranking: 15
Location: 579, Fuxing Middle Road, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai

In true speakeasy style, Speak Low finds itself hidden behind a bookshelf in the Ocho Bar Tools shop-front. The bar occupies the second and third storeys – the second floor offers a livelier atmosphere while the third level is quieter, standing and shouting being prohibited. Standout drinks include the bubble tea-esque “Sawadee-Cup” that combines rum and tapioca.

High Five, Tokyo

High Five, Tokyo

2017 world ranking: 13
2016 world ranking: 23
Location: Efflore Ginza 5 Building, B/F 5-4-15 Ginza Chuo-ward, 104-0061 Tokyo

Jumping a full 10 places in the rankings compared to last year, High Five offers classic drinks with Japanese twists made by bartenders Hidetsugu Ueno and Kaori Kurakami. Be sure to watch as they make your drinks, as they often include ingredients or use methods not commonly employed. barhighfive.com

Atlas, Singapore

Atlas, Singapore

2017 world ranking: 15
2016 world ranking: N/A
Location: Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778

Atlas is a new addition to the list this year and with fair reason considering the bar only re-opened last year. Gin is the focus here – Atlas has more than 1,000 on offer, with history and information aplenty on the menu – and its Art Deco setting ensures you’ll be able to take your time and enjoy each one. atlasbar.sg

Black Pearl, Melbourne

Black Pearl, Melbourne

2017 world ranking: 22
2016 world ranking: 22
Location: 304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Despite having opened about 15 years ago, Black Pearl has seemingly lost none of its sheen, with the bar also taking this year’s Legend of the List award for most consistently performing bar. The venue offers two levels – the Attic upstairs is open Thursday through to Saturday – and both bartenders Chris Hysted-Adams and Nathan Beasley have been named Australia’s best bartender in the past. blackpearlbar.com.au

Operation Dagger

Operation Dagger, Singapore

2017 world ranking: 24
2016 world ranking: 21
Location: 7 Ann Siang Hill B1-01, 069791 Singapore

Hidden in the basement of a nondescript building on Ann Siang Hill, Operation Dagger has a menu offering cocktails with a medley of odd and unfamiliar ingredients, from goat’s cheese to bone marrow to fermented red cabbage. Don’t let these put you off, however – the staff offer great suggestions and the presentation of the cocktails themselves are worth the visit alone. operationdagger.com

28 Hongkong Street, Singapore

28 Hongkong Street, Singapore

2017 world ranking: 25
2016 world ranking: 14
Location: 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore 059667

Don’t let its name fool you, this bar is firmly rooted in Singapore and has been an impressive addition to the city’s bar scene for some time. Offering straight up classic cocktails with subtle twists, the bar’s atmosphere is one of a low-lit venue with jazz and hip-hop playing in the background. 28hks.com

Indulgence Experimental Bistro, Taipei

Indulgence Experimental Bistro, Taipei

2017 world ranking: 28
2016 world ranking: N/A
Location: 11, Lane 219, Section 1, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei

Three-time world champion mixologist Aki Wang heads up Indulgence Experimental Bistro in Taipei’s East District. Local ingredients such as vermouth infused with oolong tea, and fermented tea bitters find their way into the bars concoctions, while the bar itself offers a dim, intimate environment in which to “indulge” in them. indulgebistrotaipei.blogspot.hk

Tippling Club, Singapore

Tippling Club, Singapore

2017 world ranking: 31
2016 world ranking: N/A
Location: 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461

Arguably known for its restaurant as much as its bar, Tippling Club took on a new head mixologist, Joe Schofield, last year. His new Sensorium Menu aims to conjure forth memories using aromas. Schofield, from the north of England, uses vodka re-distilled with the edible stone Geosmin to create a cocktail reminiscent of recent rainfall, for example. tipplingclub.com

Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo

Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo

2017 world ranking: 36
2016 world ranking:
Location: Yamatoya Building, 9/F 1-13-7 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ward, Tokyo 160-0023

Located on the ninth floor of the Yamatoya Building in Tokyo’s Shinjuku-ward, this bar gets busy so it’s best to go in small groups. Head bartender Hiroyasu Kayama grows his own herbs in his old childhood bedroom north of Tokyo, using ingredients such as wormwood in his twist on a Gimlet. facebook.com/barbenfiddich

Quinary, Hong Kong

Quinary, Hong Kong

2017 world ranking: 40
2016 world ranking: 41
Location: 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Created by Antonio Lai, the same man behind Ori-gin and The Envoy also in the city, Quinary provides a speakeasy setting with drinks that range from classic to bizarre, such as the drink Prey that is served using a paper bag. If that’s not to your liking, Quinary’s cocktail list has about 40 or so options on it, so you won’t be starved for choice. quinary.hk

The Baxter Inn, Sydney

The Baxter Inn, Sydney

2017 world ranking: 45
2016 world ranking:
Location: Basement, 152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney

The Baxter Inn is extremely well hidden down a disused alley, but once you arrive and head downstairs you’ll end up in a bar with an 1800s Bostonian vibe and whisky at the forefront of the menu. There are also cocktails, and those with fruit are juiced in front of you. thebaxterinn.com

Native, Singapore

Native, Singapore

2017 world ranking: 47
2016 world ranking:
Location: 52A Amoy Street, Singapore 069878

A new entrant to the Singapore bar scene, Native uses plenty of ingredients (some rather bizarre) from across Asia. Coconut yoghurt, Thai rum sugar cane and basil leaf that’s been freeze-dried and contains ants form the drink Antz, for instance. tribenative.com

Lobster Bar & Grill, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Lobster Bar, Hong Kong

2017 world ranking: 49
2016 world ranking:
Location: Island Shangri-la, Supreme Court Road, Level 6, Pacific Place, Central, Hong Kong

With its Art Deco style and dim hanging lights, Lobster Bar is arguably one of the more classical bars on this list. That said, its latest drinks menu featuring a “past, present and future” theme, has a few intriguing inclusions such as Therapy, which mixes Scotch with mango, vetiver (a type of grass) and homemade horchata (a drink made using ground almonds, seeds and other grains). shangri-la.com

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