On Wednesday night in Milan, the 18th edition of the World’s 50 Best Bars confirmed what Hong Kong had been hoping for months: Bar Leone keeps its spot as the world’s best bar, a year after becoming the first Asian bar ever to top the list.
The bar, opened in June 2023 in Sheung Wan by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori and his partner Justin Shun Wah, doesn’t look much like a mixology lab. It’s a neighbourhood bar with simple decor, well-made classic cocktails, and a short menu. The judges apparently preferred that over technical wizardry, for the second year running.
Milan, the host city, got its own moment of local pride: Moebius Milano jumped from No. 7 to No. 2. Rounding out the top 10 are Alquímico (Cartagena), Bar Us (Bangkok), Line (Athens), Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City), Zest (Seoul), the Connaught Bar (London), Lady Bee (Lima) and Bar Mauro (Mexico City), closing out a list where Asia and Latin America carry nearly as much weight as Europe.
One detail complicates the picture: back in July, Bar Leone failed to hold on to its Asia’s Best Bar title, which went to Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou. Staying world No. 1 while losing the regional crown says something about how these two rankings, run by the same organization, don’t really reward the same things.
The announcement follows the extended list (spots 51 to 100), revealed in late September with five first-time cities. The top of the ranking tells a similar story: the bars that matter aren’t coming only out of New York or London anymore.