Mark Sansom on the evolution of the Asian bar scene

The award ceremony of Asia’s 50 Best Bars will be staged in Hong Kong this July. db Asia talks to Mark Sansom, director of content for the competition, about the choice of Hong Kong as host city and the evolving Asian bar scene.

Explaining the decision to stage this year’s awards in Hong Kong, Sansom emphasised the city’s diversity and its influential status in the world of cocktails.

“There is no better city in which to celebrate the best bars in the region this year than in a place with such diversity, both in terms of its population, venues, and huge variance of styles of bar,” he told db Asia.

Sansom highlighted Hong Kong’s global influence and dynamic cocktail scene and mentioned that Hong Kong bars have consistently held the No.1 position on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for three out of four years, with notable establishments like COA and Argo making their mark.

Sansom further suggested that while Hong Kong and Singapore lead the pack, other Asian countries such as Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia are also emerging as exciting destinations for cocktail exploration.

With the awards coming to Hong Kong for the first time in July, Sansom outlined the opportunities for both industry players and consumers, stressing that the event would serve as a gathering of the bar community in Asia, marking the first full-scale meet-up since the pandemic.

He expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s bar community, stating, “I am certain that our bar family in Hong Kong will be pulling out all the stops to showcase the city’s amazing nightlife and welcome the international bartending community.”

For consumers, he highlighted the “50 Best Week” celebrations, during which they can enjoy guest shifts, parties, and unique experiences at their favourite cocktail bars.

Reflecting on the impact of Asia’s 50 Best Bars over the years, Sansom said that the awards’ role is in placing the spotlight on deserving and emerging regions of gastronomy and mixology. He noted that the bar lists have expanded geographically, featuring new cocktail cities and inspiring talents from different parts of Asia. Sansom believes that the success stories of the first movers have driven the growth and evolution of the industry.

When discussing the changes in the Asian bar scene, Sansom highlighted the remarkable growth in the number and quality of cocktail bars, even amidst the pandemic. He noted the emergence of a new generation of homegrown bar talents who are pushing the industry forward and expressed excitement about the future, stating, “We are only just scratching the surface of what a cocktail destination Asia has, and will, become.”

Lastly, Sansom identified a few up-and-coming Asian cities that are making their mark in the industry. He mentioned the exciting developments in Bangalore and New Delhi, along with Jakarta and Taipei, where the effects of the pandemic are gradually dissipating.