Bar Leone is the world’s best bar
Bar Leone has pipped the competition on its home turf, being crowned The World’s Best Bar 2025 at a ceremony in Hong Kong yesterday.
Hong Kong’s Bar Leone, which ranked in second place at last year’s World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, has risen to top spot in 2025.
This is the first time the accolade has gone to a bar in Asia.
Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, last year’s winner, has taken second place in 2025.
The 2025 list features bars from 29 cities around the world. Eight new entries ranked among the top 50, hailing from Athens, Bratislava, Guangzhou, Lima, New York, Oslo, Tirana and Tokyo.
Bar Leone, named The Best Bar in Asia at Asia’s 50 Best Bars for two years running, is the brainchild of bartender Lorenzo Antinori. The Italian transplant has worked in iconic bars including London’s American Bar at The Savoy and Dandelyan (now defunct). Opened in June 2023, Bar Leone is built on the philosophy of ‘cocktail popolari’ – or ‘cocktails for the people’.
Emma Sleight, head of content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, described the win as a “remarkable achievement”, being “not only […] the first time a bar from Asia has claimed the top spot” but also “a dazzling testament to the commitment of Lorenzo and the entire Bar Leone team to redefining hospitality excellence”.
Antinori said the win was an achievement for both Bar Leone and Hong Kong as a city. “This recognition not only highlights our hard work but also affirms that our city belongs at the very heart of the global bar industry, celebrated for its creativity and warm hospitality. Welcoming the world’s best bartenders to Hong Kong this week has filled the city with incredible energy and excitement. It’s truly thrilling to see Hong Kong shine on the international stage, and we feel privileged to be part of this journey.”
The World’s 50 Best Bars hosted in Hong Kong for the first time yesterday (8 October) at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal overlooking Victoria Harbour. The 17th edition of the awards hosted more than 2,000 bartenders, hospitality professionals and drinks industry figures.
Fellow local COA was also recognised on the list at No. 38.
Other accolades announced at the event included the Roku Industry Icon Award, won by Simone Caporale of Barcelona’s Sips. Caporale and Bar Leone’s Antinori co-founded Montana in Hong Kong earlier this year.
Partner Content
Bar Mauro in Mexico City has received the Campari One To Watch Award.
The Cambridge Public House in Paris wins the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award.
Entering the list at No.25 and winner of the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award is Bratislava’s Mirror Bar.
Moebius Milano in Milan moves up 31 places to No.7 and claims the Nikka Highest Climber Award.
Baba au Rum in Athens is named Rémy Martin Legend of the List.
New York’s Sip & Guzzle wins this year’s Three Cents Best New Opening Award.
Backdoor Bodega in Penang is the winner of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award.
The Best Bar Design Award is presented to Tigra + Disco Pantera in Sydney.
Mimi Kakushi is The Best Bar in the Middle East, sponsored by Les Vergers Boiron, and Hero Bar is named The Best Bar in Africa, sponsored by Langjiu.
The full list of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 is:
Bar Leone, Hong Kong
Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
Sips, Barcelona
Paradiso, Barcelona
Tayēr + Elementary, London
Connaught Bar, London
Moebius Milano, Milan
Line, Athens
Jigger & Pony, Singapore
Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
Alquímico, Cartagena
Superbueno, New York
Lady Bee, Lima
Himkok, Oslo
Bar Us, Bangkok
Zest, Seoul
Bar Nouveau, Paris
Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
The Cambridge Public House, Paris
Satan’s Whiskers, London
Locale Firenze, Florence
Tlecān, Mexico City
Tan Tan, São Paulo
Mirror Bar, Bratislava
CoChinChina, Buenos Aires
Baba au Rum, Athens
Nouvelle Vague, Tirana
Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
Danico, Paris
Scarfes Bar, London
Svanen, Oslo
Sastrería Martinez, Lima
Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
Röda Huset, Stockholm
Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
Salmon Guru, Madrid
Coa, Hong Kong
Sip & Guzzle, New York
Drink Kong, Rome
Double Chicken Please, New York
Maybe Sammy, Sydney
1930, Milan
Jewel of the South, New Orleans
Virtù, Tokyo
Overstory, New York
The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens
The Bellwood, Tokyo
BKK Social Club, Bangkok
Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
Related news
Trinity Hill taps into rising demand for white wines in Asia
Caviar chicken nuggets and postpartum mocktails: 2025's top trending Google searches
Marco Corallo: 'Saikindō is truly the pinnacle of my career so far'
