China’s Hope & Sesame from Guangzhou took the number one spot at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 ceremony last night.
On a glittering evening in Macau, the coveted list was unveiled before industry professionals. The 50 bars span 22 cities, with 14 new entries this year. Three Indian bars, Boilermaker, SOKA, and Bar Spirit Forward made the cut, with Bengaluru taking two spots, retaining its status as the bar capital of the country (well, I may be a little biased). While are all familiar names, and no new winners emerged from the country, it is a testament to creativity and consistency.
Hope & Sesame is a hidden speakeasy located behind a Cantonese store in the historic Dongshankou district. Founders Bastien Ciocca and Andrew Ho play with techniques such as centrifugal clarification, sous vide infusions, and rotary distillation, to marry tradition and innovation. China won seven spots on the list this year, its highest ever, a proof that it has a fast-growing cocktail scene that is embracing new trends.
Bangkok won eight spots on the list, cementing its position as a powerhouse, with Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, BKK Social Club and Opium. Hong Kong was another clear winner with seven bars, such as Bar Leone, Shelley Tai and Montana. Singapore, Seoul and Jakarta secured four spots each.
The Indian bars on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026
A shack in sleepy Siolim
Goa’s Boilermaker came in at number 8 on the list, cracking the coveted top 10 spot. It was also awarded The Best Bar in India. Last year the bar was number 30 on the list. Boilermaker embodies the laid-back ‘susegad’ spirit of Goa. Something that co-founder Pankaj Balachandran feels contributes to its success. “Even if it’s not air-conditioned, even if there are no leather seats or fancy trimmings, you can still build something world-class because the soul of a bar comes from the experience you create for every guest who walks in. If you take care of the most important parts—your people, genuine hospitality, and a product you’re proud of, then the space becomes whatever you make it.” The menu is heavy on Goan ingredients, like the Biso Manana Karamel, which is made with local spirit, dukshiri. “A shack in the middle of a sleepy town like Siolim making its mark on Asia’s 50 Best and landing in the top 10 is honestly mind-blowing.”
Bengaluru in a glass
On number 18, is a Bengaluru darling, SOKA. Helmed by chef Sombir Choudhary and bartender Avinash Kapoli (hence SO and KA) this one is located in Indiranagar. The bar was on number 28 last year and has now entered the top 20. The cocktails at SOKA capture the local Bengaluru flavour, nostalgia, lingo and ingredients. Black Cadillac is a drink named after a popular pub from the ‘90s and Cheese Cherry Pineapple is a tribute to the snacks at Downtown Pub, another old favourite. “We didn’t build SOKA to follow a template. We built it to feel. Just good drinks, super snacks, honest hospitality, and a team that shows up every single night with heart,” Avinash told The Hindu in an earlier interview.
SOKA’s chef Sombir Choudhary and bartender Avinash Kapoli
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Special arrangement
Craft and technique
Moving up from number 37 to number 30 is another Bengaluru establishment, Bar Spirit Forward. As the official 50 Best Bar website describes it, bar focuses on creating a buzzy atmosphere that is punctuated by technically sound cocktails. Co-founded by Arijit Bose (his Goa establishment Bar Outrigger came in at number 51), this one is loved for its atmosphere that feels straight out of New York. The Southern Star cocktail, a tequila and fermented fruit blend, is a must-try.
Arijit Bose at Bar Spirit Forward in Bengaluru
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Special arrangement
While last year, five Indian bars had made the cut, and this year only three did, the wins are indicative of the sustained effort and artistry of these establishments.
Here is the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026:
1. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
2. Zest, Seoul
3. Bar Leone, Hong Kong (Read more about it here)
4. Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok
5. MO Bar Shenzhen, Shenzhen
6. Bar Us, Bangkok
7. Lennon’s, Bangkok
8. Boilermaker, Goa (Read more about it here)
9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore (Read more about it here)
10. Obsidian Bar, Shenzhen
11. Modernhaus, Jakarta
12. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
13. Alice, Seoul
14. Vender, Taichung
15. Cosmo Pony, Jakarta
16. Offtrack, Singapore
17. Bar Sathorn, Bangkok
18. Soka, Bengaluru (Read more about it here)
19. Pony Up, Shanghai
20. BKK Social Club, Bangkok
21. Carrots Bar, Jakarta
22. Gokan, Hong Kong
23. Punch Room Tokyo, Tokyo
24. Coa, Hong Kong (Read more about it here)
25. Opium, Bangkok
26. Virtù, Tokyo
27. CMYK, Changsha
28. Ralph’s Bar, Chengdu
29. Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya (Read more about it here)
30. Bar Spirit Forward, Bengaluru
31. G.O.D, Bangkok
32. Three X Co, Kuala Lumpur (Read more about it here)
33. Bar Cham, Seoul
34. Workshop14, Hanoi
35. To Infinity & Beyond, Taipei
36. Mius, Hong Kong
37. Argo, Hong Kong
38. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur (Read more about it here)
39. Bar Libre, Tokyo
40. The Golden Tooth, Jakarta
41. The Han-Jia, Tainan
42. M+MS Bar, Seoul
43. Origin Bar, Singapore
44. Problem Child, Makati
45. The St. Regis Bar (Macau), Macau
46. The Hudson Rooms, Hanoi
47. Montana, Hong Kong
48. Aqua Bar, Bangkok
49. Penicillin, Hong Kong
50. Tiao, Beijing
Click here to read the extended longlist of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026
Published – July 29, 2026 04:32 pm IST
