Five videos to watch ahead of the announcement of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 on 14 May

Giulia Sgarbi - 09/01/2020

Asia’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, returns in 2020, with the new edition of the prestigious list and special awards to be revealed on Thursday, 14th May, from Singapore. Here is a handful of videos that explain what Asia’s 50 Best Bars is all about and give you five good reasons to keep an eye on the events

1. It’s the ultimate guide to Asia’s bar scene

Voted for by over 230 leaders in the bar sector across Asia, the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, provides an essential list of the best bar experiences in the continent. Since its inception in 2016, three bars have achieved the No.1 position, earning the title of The Best Bar in Asia. They are: 28 Hong Kong Street in Singapore (2016), Manhattan in Singapore (2017 and 2018) and The Old Man in Hong Kong (2019). Bars all over Asia – from Taipei to Seoul and Shanghai to Kuala Lumpur – have been voted on the list over its history. Discover the 2019 ranking in the video above, and set a reminder for the livestream of the 2020 countdown on the evening of 14th May from 8:45pm local time on The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page.

2. It will be an events programme to satisfy every liquid craving 

The glitzy awards ceremony for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, during which bartenders and industry VIPs gather for the live countdown of the list, is the pinnacle of a week-long events programme. Starting on Wednesday 13th May with a new edition of the #50BestTalks thought-leadership forum (more on this below) and an exclusive Bartenders’ Feast, the Asia’s 50 Best Bars events will also mark the beginning of Singapore Cocktail Festival, which runs from 15th to 22nd May. The festival will feature Masterclasses by some of the finest bartenders on the planet, as well as unique tastings and experiences, pop-up bars and much more. Watch the video above to get a taste of the experience.

3. You can learn from Asia’s leading bartenders 

For the last two years, cocktail luminaries from across the continent have been gathering to discuss pressing issues and to identify upcoming trends at #50BestTalks. Having already seen personalities such as Bannie Kang of Anti:Dote and Pinsuda Pongprom of The Bamboo Bar join the event’s line-up, #50BestTalks is back on 13th May with a new edition, with more details to be revealed soon. To find out what you can expect, watch the highlights from the 2019 edition of #50BestTalks, entitled ‘Female Spirit’, in the video above.

4. You will discover new bartenders and bars to follow 

The ceremony on Thursday, 14th May, won’t only see the countdown of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020, but also include a number of special awards for outstanding individual achievements. The Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award will go to an industry leader recognised by the people behind the establishments on the 2020 list, while the Industry Icon Award will recognise a legendary figure in the region. Other awards include the Campari One To Watch – a bar outside the list considered a rising star – and the new Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, given to a bar recognised for outstanding service. In the video above, meet the winner and garner some tips from the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2019, Shingo Gokan.

5. It offers an insiders’ view of one of Asia’s greatest cocktail capitals 

The host destination for Asia’s 50 Best Bars since 2018, Singapore is one of Asia’s leading hotspots for exceptional food and drink experiences. The Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 events will take place all over the city, from The Capitol Kempinski hotel and Capitol Theatre to an after party at Ce La Vi at the top of Marina Bay Sands. The city-state is also home to 11 of the bars voted on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019 list. Discover a selection of some of the essential places to visit for eating, drinking and sleeping in our video above.

Follow 50 Best Bars on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for all the photos, videos and news from the awards ceremony in Singapore.