It was China’s Hope & Sesame from Guangzhou that took the number one spot at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 ceremony last night.

On a glittering evening in Macau, the coveted list was unveiled before industry professionals. The 50 bars span 22 cities, with 14 new entries this year. Three Indian bars made the cut, with Bengaluru taking two spots, retaining its status as the bar capital of the country (well, I may be a little biased). While Boilermaker, SOKA, and Bar Spirit Foward are all familiar names, and no new winners emerged from the country, it is a testament to creativity and consistency.

Hope & Sesame is a hidden speakeasy located behind a Cantonese store in the historic Dongshankou district. Founders Bastien Ciocca and Andrew Ho play with techniques such as centrifugal clarification, sous vide infusions, and rotary distillation, to marry tradition and innovation. China won seven spots on the list this year, its highest ever, a proof that it has a fast-growing cocktail scene that is embracing new trends.

Bangkok won eight spots on the list, cementing its position as a powerhouse, with Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, BKK Social Club and Opium. Hong Kong was another clear winner with seven bars, such as Bar Leone, Shelley Tai and Montana. Singapore, Seoul and Jakarta secured four spots each.

The Indian bars on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026

A shack in sleepy Siolim

Goa’s Boilermaker came in at number 8 on the list, cracking the coveted top 10 spot. It was also awarded The Best Bar in India. Last year the bar was number 30 on the list. Boilermaker embodies the laid-back ‘susegad’ spirit of Goa. Something that co-founder Pankaj Balachandran feels contributes to its success. “Even if it’s not air-conditioned, even if there are no leather seats or fancy trimmings, you can still build something world-class because the soul of a bar comes from the experience you create for every guest who walks in. If you take care of the most important parts—your people, genuine hospitality, and a product you’re proud of, then the space becomes whatever you make it.” The menu is heavy on Goan ingredients, like the Biso Manana Karamel is made with local spirit, dukshiri. “A shack in the middle of a sleepy town like Siolim making its mark on Asia’s 50 Best and landing in the top 10 is honestly mind-blowing.”

Bengaluru in a glass

On number 18, is a Bengaluru darling, SOKA. Helmed by chef Sombir Choudhary and bartender Avinash Kapoli (hence SO and KA) this one is located in Indiranagar. The bar was on number 28 last year and has now entered the top 20. The cocktails at SOKA capture the local Bengaluru flavour, nostalgia, lingo and ingredients. Black Cadillac is a drink named after a popular pub from the ‘90s and Cheese Cherry Pineapple is a tribute to the snacks at Downtown Pub, another old favourite. “We didn’t build SOKA to follow a template. We built it to feel. Just good drinks, super snacks, honest hospitality, and a team that shows up every single night with heart,” Avinash told The Hindu in an earlier interview.

Craft and technique

Moving up from number 37 to number 30 is another Bengaluru establishment, Bar Spirit Forward. As the official 50 Best Bar website describes it, bar focuses on creating a buzzy atmosphere that is punctuated by technically sound cocktails. Co-founded by Arijit Bose (his Goa establishment Bar Outrigger came in at number 51), this one is loved for its atmosphere that feels straight out of New York. The Southern Star cocktail, a tequila and fermented fruit blend, is a must-try.

While last year, five Indian bars had made the cut, and this year only three did, the wins are indicative of the sustained effort and artistry of these establishments.

Here is the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026:

  1. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou

  2. Zest, Seoul

  3. Bar Leone, Hong Kong (Read more about it here)

  4. Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok

  5. MO Bar Shenzhen, Shenzhen

  6. Bar Us, Bangkok

  7. Lennon’s, Bangkok

  8. Boilermaker, Goa (Read more about it here)

  9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore (Read more about it here)

  10. Obsidian Bar, Shenzhen

  11. Modernhaus, Jakarta

  12. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore

  13. Alice, Seoul

  14. Vender, Taichung

  15. Cosmo Pony, Jakarta

  16. Offtrack, Singapore

  17. Bar Sathorn, Bangkok

  18. Soka, Bengaluru (Read more about it here)

  19. Pony Up, Shanghai

  20. BKK Social Club, Bangkok

  21. Carrots Bar, Jakarta

  22. Gokan, Hong Kong

  23. Punch Room Tokyo, Tokyo

  24. Coa, Hong Kong (Read more about it here)

  25. Opium, Bangkok

  26. Virtù, Tokyo

  27. CMYK, Changsha

  28. Ralph’s Bar, Chengdu

  29. Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya (Read more about it here)

  30. Bar Spirit Forward, Bengaluru

  31. G.O.D, Bangkok

  32. Three X Co, Kuala Lumpur (Read more about it here)

  33. Bar Cham, Seoul

  34. Workshop14, Hanoi

  35. To Infinity & Beyond, Taipei

  36. Mius, Hong Kong

  37. Argo, Hong Kong

  38. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur (Read more about it here)

  39. Bar Libre, Tokyo

  40. The Golden Tooth, Jakarta

  41. The Han-Jia, Tainan

  42. M+MS Bar, Seoul

  43. Origin Bar, Singapore

  44. Problem Child, Makati

  45. The St. Regis Bar (Macau), Macau

  46. The Hudson Rooms, Hanoi

  47. Montana, Hong Kong

  48. Aqua Bar, Bangkok

  49. Penicillin, Hong Kong

  50. Tiao, Beijing

Published - July 29, 2026 04:32 pm IST