Asia's best bars shake up industry with innovation

Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 was unveiled on Tuesday at Wynn Palace, Macao, showcasing three bars from the Chinese mainland that made remarkable jumps on the list. Leading the charge at No 7 and marking its highest position yet after ascending from No 14 last year was Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

Meanwhile, CMYK in Changsha, Hunan province, leaped from being a new entry at No 43 in 2024 to an impressive No 16 this year. Making its debut at No 21 was MO Bar Shenzhen, becoming the first bar from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and the first hotel bar from the Chinese mainland to receive such recognition.

MO Bar garnered praise for its philosophy in transcending exceptional drinks, focusing on self-reinvention, and fostering collaboration within the industry. Under the guidance of renowned mixologist Tiger Chang, the bar pays tribute to China's history while embracing the vibrant essence of Shenzhen's contemporary vibes.

Since opening in early 2022, MO Bar has been acclaimed for its innovative cocktail programs like "Movable Type", which draws inspiration from ancient printing techniques, and "Colors of China", a celebration of traditional pigments.

Chang, the head bartender of MO Bar and director of beverages at Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen, said: "As the pioneering hotel bar from the Chinese mainland on this prestigious list, we are dedicated to pushing the creative boundaries through inventive cocktail programs and attracting top-tier bar talent to Shenzhen."

Christian Dolenc, general manager of Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen and area vice-president of operations for South China, remarked, "MO Bar's recognition not only enhances our city's reputation in the Asian cocktail scene, but also paves the way for more bars from the Chinese mainland to gain global acclaim, solidifying Shenzhen's position as a world-class culinary destination."

At the top of the rankings, Bar Leone in Hong Kong retained its title as Asia's Best Bar for the second consecutive year. The top three positions remained unchanged, with Zest in Seoul in the Republic of Korea and Jigger & Pony in Singapore holding onto second and third place, respectively.