Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023: Hong Kong’s Coa Makes History As Only Bar To Top Rankings 3 Years In A Row

Hong Kong’s Coa topped the Asia’s 50 Best Bars List for 2023. The city has seven other venues in this year’s rankings: Argo, Darkside, The Aubrey, Penicillin, Quinary, Mostly Harmless, and The Old Man.

By Anjali Muthanna2023-07-18Updated:2023-07-195 Mins Read

Coa was revealed as Asia’s Best Bar for 2023, during a live ceremony held at the Rosewood on Tuesday night. The Mexican-inspired bar topped the rankings for the third year in a row, making it only the only venue to achieve this feat.

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Coa, No. 1 (No. 1 in 2022)

Argo, No. 8 (No. 3 in 2022)

DarkSide, No. 9 (No. 13 in 2022)

The Aubrey, No. 17 (No. 38 in 2022)

Penicillin, No. 26 (No. 22 in 2022)

Quinary, No. 31 (No. 16 in 2022)

Mostly Harmless, No. 33 (New Entry)

The Old Man, No. 47 (No. 81 in 2022)

Seven other bars in the SAR also found places on the eighth edition of the list: Argo (No. 8), DarkSide (No. 9), The Aubrey (No. 17), Penicillin (No. 26), Quinary (No. 31), new entry Mostly Harmless (No. 33), and The Old Man (No. 47).

Singapore had the largest representation in the rankings, with 11 bars, followed by Hong Kong (8), Seoul (6), Tokyo (5), and Bangkok (4).

Here’s the lowdown on the Hong Kong bars that made this year’s Top 50:

Coa, No. 1 (No. 1 in 2022)

The interiors of Coa take inspiration from Mexico. It has seating along the wall, as well as low tables with chairs for smaller groups of guests. — Savour 200 types of tequila and mezcal at Coa (© Coa via Facebook)

This bar founded by Jay Khan pays tribute to mezcal and tequila with its 200 bottles of both spirits. Their signature cocktails include La Paloma de Oaxaca, a grapefruit-spiked mezcal and tequila blend that is the sole remnant from Coa’s OG menu, and the Ancho Highball, a blend of tequila, salted plum, ancho chile, and guava soda.

6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central | + 852 2813 5787

Argo, No. 8 (No. 3 in 2022)

Argo's bar, which features a column of drinks, is surrounded by a marble counter and bar stools. It is surrounded by more intimate sofa seating. — Savour drinks centered around a unique concept at Argo (© Argo via Facebook)

Each drink served at Argo explores its ingredients’ origins and evolution, as well as potential alternatives, to give patrons a sense of what their experience will be like when certain ingredients become scarce due to climate change.

DarkSide, No. 9 (No. 13 in 2022)

A bartender squeezes lemon juice into a cocktail glass that has a dark drink in it. There is a bottle of rye on the left of the glass. — This watering hole inspired by the nickname for Kowloon specialises in all things dark, from its liquor to its interiors (© DarkSide via Facebook)

Darkside takes its name from the nickname for the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. This is evident in the theme, which features all things dark — from its spirits and cigars to its chocolate. Its new ‘The Art of Mahjong’ menu takes inspiration from the famous tile game with its cocktails centred around their associated Confucian plant.

Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | +852 3891 8732

The Aubrey, No. 17 (No. 38 in 2022)

A cocktail glass containing a pink drink and strawberry sits on a dark counter. The counter is lined with low lamps woth dome-shaped shades. — Sip on drinks made with Japanese whiskey, awamori and shochu at the Aubrey (© The Aubrey via Facebook)

This izakaya with stunning views of Victoria Harbour serves up libations made with Japanese whiskey, awamori, and shochu to create its signature drinks. If you want the full Aubrey experience, book a private room where bar legend Devender Seghal will curate cocktails tailored to each guest’s tastes.

5 Connaught Road, Central | +852 2825 4001

Penicillin, No. 26 (No. 22 in 2022)

Two cocktails sit on a table along with a glass of water and an ornamental bowl. There is a menu on the table. In the background are shelved lines with bottles. — The drinks-making process at Penicillin is aimed to make the bar as sustainable as possible (© Penicillin via Facebook)

This bar is the gold standard in sustainability, having received the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award in 2021. It features local and upcycled ingredients, and a variety of organic ferments from the bar’s in-house climate-controlled fermentation room.

L/G, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central | +852 9880 7995

Quinary, No. 31 (No. 16 in 2022)

A collage showing two images from Quinary. On the left are dimly lit shelves lined with a variety of bottles. On the right is a cocktail in a glass topped with foam. — Experience Quinary’s Multisensory Mixology, which produces unique cocktails (© Quinary via Facebook)

This hotspot headed by Antonio Lai uses technology like rotovap distillation and centrifuges to create drinks to stimulate the senses. Some of its top tipples include its signature Earl Grey Caviar Martini and The Ruby Rouge.

56-58 Hollywood Road, Central | +852 2851 3223

Mostly Harmless, No. 33 (New Entry)

A drink in a cocktail glass sits on a white tiled counter while a person's hand rests on a raised wooden surface on its right. — No two visits to Mostly Harmless are the same, thanks to its almost daily-changing menu (© Mostly Harmless via Facebook)

If you’re a Douglas Adams fan, chances are you’ll recognise the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy reference in this Sai Ying Pun bar’s name. The menu changes daily, in keeping with the team’s frequent visits to local markets and farms, which results in quirky cocktails.

The Old Man, No. 47 (No. 81 in 2022)

The interiors of The Old Man feature an I-shaped bar with a mural of Ernest Hemingway. Shelves on either side of the bar contain bottles. — There are several Ernest Hemingway references in The Old Man, most notably in the mural dedicated to the author (© The Old Man via Facebook)

If you’re looking for creative drinks, this former Asia’s Best Bar is the place to be. There are several Ernest Hemingway influences in this venue — from the name of the bar and the mural dedicated to the author to the cocktails on the menu named after his works. The Old Man boasts other innovative touches, such as the freezing strip to keep patrons’ drinks cold and the I-shaped bar that allows them to sit or stand wherever they choose.

Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central

Last week, Asia’s Best Bars 51-100 for 2023 were unveiled, and five Hong Kong bars found places on this list: The Pontiac (No. 53), Mizunara: The Library (No. 86). The Wise King (No. 34), Tell Camellia (No. 97), and Honky Tonks Tavern (No. 98).

The World’s 50 Best Bars for 2023 will be revealed in Singapore on October 17. Last year, two Hong Kong bars made the Top 50: Coa (No. 17) and Argo No. 28).

For the full rankings of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 2023, click here.

Header image credits: Coa via Facebook

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