Anticipation is building as Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 prepares to announce its rankings at a live awards ceremony at Rosewood Hong Kong on July 16. Leading up to this event, Hong Kong will host the 50 Best Signature Sessions from July 13 to 18. This exclusive series will feature 24 of the finest bartenders from Asia and beyond, presenting a range of themed cocktail experiences.
The 50 Best Signature Sessions provide an opportunity for bartenders to collaborate and for cocktail enthusiasts to sample unique, one-time-only creations. Host bars in Hong Kong have been paired with leading international bartenders who share the same ethos and craft philosophy, coming together to create cocktail menus that celebrate their collective talents.
From sustainable innovations to culturally rich fusions, keep reading to find out more about the five events.
See also: The winners of the Tatler Dining Bar Awards Hong Kong
Secret speakeasies
Speak Low cocktail
When: July 13, evening
The festivities kick off with ‘Secret Speakeasies’, hosted by Darkside, ranked No. 9 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and known for its sophisticated cocktails and jazz lounge ambience. They will partner with Speak Low from Shanghai, the speakeasy founded by famed Japanese bartender Shingo Gokan, featured on 50 Best Discovery for its multi-level bar experience and innovative cocktails. Guests will start their evening at Darkside before gaining entry to XX, Rosewood’s hidden den, where Kris Du and Michael Chen of Speak Low will present a dark-spirit-driven cocktail adventure.
Zest from Seoul
Himkok from Oslo
When: July 14, afternoon
Sustainability takes centre stage at Penicillin, ranked No. 26 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and known for its commitment to eco-friendly practices. This session features bartenders from Zest, ranked No. 5 and celebrated for its modern approach to cocktail making, from Seoul, and Himkok, ranked No. 10 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, from Oslo and a pioneer in sustainability and creativity in the bar world from Oslo.
Bartenders Dohyung ‘Demie’ Kim and Sean Woo of Zest, alongside Erk Potur and Sebastian Sandvic of Himkok will lead this innovative, waste-conscious cocktail session. Special recognition goes to Kim, who recently won the Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. As an advocate for Korea’s cocktail culture on the world stage and co-founder of the sustainability-focused Zest, Kim has been honoured with Asia’s top peer-voted award.
Shelley Tai of Nutmeg & Clove
Alex Alves Sepulchro and Fabio La Pietra of SubAstor
When: July 15, 2pm to 5pm
Quinary, a staple in Hong Kong’s bar scene and ranked No. 31 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, celebrated for its multisensory cocktail experiences, will host ‘Liquid Lunch’. Joining them is Nutmeg & Clove, currently ranked No. 7 and known for its reinterpretation of traditional Asian flavours from Singapore, and SubAstor from São Paulo, celebrated for its vibrant South American cocktail creations and featured on 50 Best Discovery. Antonio Lai of Quinary will team up with Shelley Tai and Colin Chia of Nutmeg & Clove, as well as Fabio La Pietra and Alex Alves Sepulchro from SubAstor to present a fusion of culinary-inspired cocktails.
Simone Caporale of Sips
Handshake Speakeasy cocktail
When: July 15, 3pm to 6pm
Coa, which has consistently topped Asia’s 50 Best Bars and is currently ranked No. 1, will host ‘Tres Número Unos’, meaning ‘three number ones’ in Spanish. Coa’s founder, Jay Khan, welcomes Simone Caporale from Sips in Barcelona, ranked No. 1 on the World’s Best Bar 2023 list, and the team from Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, North America’s best bar ranked No. 3. This session will showcase top-tier bartending talent with a focus on tequila and mezcal, highlighting the skills of Simone Caporale of Sips, and Rodrigo Urraca, Erik Van Beek and Candy Midori from Handshake Speakeasy.
The Bombay Canteen bar team
Where: July 18; 5pm to 7pm (Indian omakase) / 6pm to 10pm (general admission)
The Aubrey, ranked No. 17 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and distinguished for its Japanese-inspired cocktails, teams up with The Bombay Canteen from Mumbai, ranked No. 35, celebrated for its innovative take on traditional Indian flavours. Head bartender Devender Seghal will collaborate with Yash Bhanage, Achintya Pravin Karale and Prantik Haldar to create a night of cultural fusion. The evening begins with an intimate Indian omakase experience, with bookable slots available, followed by a cocktail menu inspired by Indian and Japanese flavours.
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