The World's 50 Best Bar Awards 2015 by Drinks International was held earlier this month, and this year saw more bars in Asia-Pacific making the list than ever before! Here are our top picks from the list.
The Baxter Inn
WHERE Basement, 152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney
OPENING HOURS 4pm to 1am (Mon to Sat)
INFO Known for providing some of the best service in town, The Baxter Inn Sydney is the go-to place for good booze, good banter and even better whisky. With a list of over 150 different whisky choices, be sure to ask the staff for recommendations. It’s easy to be overwhelmed!
Photo by Timeout
28 Hongkong Street
WHERE 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore
OPENING HOURS 5:30pm to 1am (Mon to Thu); 5:30pm to 3pm (Fri to Sat)
INFO The grey downtown thoroughfare of Hongkong Street may seem a weird place to set up a bar, but you won’t be sorry for visiting this swanky joint. Do note however that this underground bar is cleverly camouflaged among a street of shophouses, with only a prominent "28" as the only indication of it's existence. Dressed in black marble, 28 Hongkong Street is a cozy spot for those seeking a closer time with friends. Serves an enticing range of cocktails and bar snacks.
Photo by Timeout
High Five
WHERE 4th Floor, No. 26 Polestar Building, Tokyo
OPENING HOURS
INFO A regular entrant in any “best bars in the world” list, bar High Five is surprisingly tiny - accommodating a maximum of 15 people at once! It may not look the part, hidden on the fourth floor of an unassuming high-rise, but thanks to master mixologist Hidetsugu Ueno’s intriguing attention to detail and expertise, you’ll enjoy the perfect drink. Cocktail making has been elevated to an art form at this revered Japanese institution.
barhighfive.com (Japanese)
Quinary 
WHERE Ground Floor. 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
OPENING HOURS 5pm to 2am (Mon to Sat)
INFO As a hip and trendy outlet for even the most discerning guests, Quinary aims to create cocktails that "engage all five senses". Renowned bartender Antonio Lai concocts different flavours and aromas to challenge every preconception held about cocktails. While the classics do bare a spacial place in our hearts, we appreciate the changes that Lai has done to create new drinks. Be sure to check out the Quinary Sour – a delectable blend of Ballantine’s whisky, licorice root, Chinese black sugar, egg white, bitters and rock.
Manhattan
WHERE Level 2, Regent Singapore
OPENING HOURS 5pm to 1am (Daily)
INFO Inspired by the 19th century Golden Age of cocktails and fine drinking, Manhattan is housed within a glamorous yet modern space that evokes memories of old New York. The bar offers a range of classic and forgotten cocktails crafted from the world’s first in-hotel rickhouse. Be on a lookout for the Singapura Nacional, which was developed in celebration of SG50 and is a clever coupling of two iconic cocktails: Hotel Nacional Special and The Singapore Sling.
