Bar Leone from Hong Kong
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Bar Leone in Hong Kong has just been declared the world’s best bar.
On October 8, leading mixologists, bartenders and industry players gathered in Hong Kong for the 17th edition of the World’s 50 Best Bars award ceremony. The list for the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 was released and the fuss-free Italian-style neighbourhood bar in Hong Kong’s buzzy Central District topped the list. Coming in at number two is Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, which was on the number one spot last year. Sips, Barcelona is in third place.
Asian bars from Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Guangzhou and Seoul are among the winners. The past two years have seen the rise of many Asian bars on the list. Using local ingredients, a cultural flair and top-notch hospitality, bars in Asia are now gaining international attention and winning awards. India too made the cut for the long list — Lair from New Delhi is at number 96.
Lorenzo Anitori, owner of Bar Leone, said about the win, “To be named the number one bar in the world is not only an incredible honour for us at Bar Leone, but also a truly proud moment for Hong Kong. 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.” The bar also won The Best Bar in Asia for two consecutive years.
Lorenzo Anitori of Bar Leone
In an earlier interview with The Hindu, he explained the idea behind the bar, “I wanted to shift away from the complexity of innovation in cocktails and focus on the simplicity and beauty of classic and modern classic cocktails. Bar Leone is all about celebrating those roots, which was a bold move in a market that often prioritises concept-driven bars.” Their signature drinks include Filthy Martini and the Olive Oil Sour.
These are the bars that took the top ten spots on the list:
- Bar Leone, Hong Kong
- Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
- Sips, Barcelona
- Paradiso, Barcelona
- Tayēr + Elementary, London
- Connaught Bar, London
- Moebius Milano, Milan
- Line, Athens
- Jigger and Pony, Singapore
- Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
Published – October 09, 2025 12:29 pm IST