Asia has chosen its new cocktail champion: Bar Leone in Hong Kong. Just one year after opening its doors, this Italian aperitivo spot has stormed into the No.1 position of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, sponsored by Perrier. Find out what makes the record-breaking Bar Leone so special
Having worked at acclaimed bars including Dandelyan in London, Charles H in Seoul and Argo in Hong Kong, Lorenzo Antinori is no stranger to success. But even he could not have imagined that his first solo venture, Bar Leone in Hong Kong, would have been such an immediate smash hit.
After departing Argo and his long-held career with the Four Seasons group in 2023, Antinori opened Bar Leone as an homage to his hometown of Rome, offering something novel in the city’s ever-expanding cocktail scene. Just one year later, it makes a record-breaking debut on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, earning a trio of trophies: The Best Bar in Hong Kong, the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award and The Best Bar in Asia 2024, sponsored by Perrier.
“I really had no idea,” says Antinori, fresh from the awards ceremony held in Hong Kong. “I went to celebrate with the Zest team because I was sure they were going to win.
“As the countdown went on, the adrenaline was pumping and we were just trying to guess our number. It will take us a little while to process what just happened.”
Bar Leone is a neighbourhood bar in Hong Kong with cocktails for the people
From the outside, Bar Leone looks like a regular Rome bar, with framed football jerseys and prints of vintage Italian spirits lining the walls. But it quickly becomes apparent this is something special. Antinori has pooled from his years of experience across the sector to create something technically fantastic and welcoming to everyone.
“Bar Leone is the celebration of simplicity… We try to create an experience that is approachable and accessible for all, embodying that living room idea. We are a neighbourhood bar, really,” Antinori says.
With simplicity in mind, drinks at Leone are almost entirely created using spirits found on back bars across the world, with a natural leaning towards Italian bottles. Classic aperitivo serves are the focus, guided by a central philosophy: ‘cocktail popolari’, meaning ‘cocktails for the people’. The flagship Leone martini, for example, is pre-batched, super-chilled and poured into a frozen glass on a bespoke wooden coaster at the point of service. A beer, glass of wine or soft drink are just as important, and the bar also claims to sell the cheapest espresso in the city – a must for a thoroughbred Italian establishment.
At Bar Leone, the focus is on classic aperitivo serves
Food is an essential part of Bar Leone’s offering, where Antinori has extended his rigorous attention to detail to create a small but mighty selection of snacks. The mortadella focaccia – filled with precisely 100 grams of the premium imported meat, ricotta, mascarpone, pickled green chillies and olives – is a must-order for any visitor.
Elsewhere in Hong Kong, eight other bars celebrate their rankings, including three-time winner of The Best Bar in Asia title Coa at the No.4 spot. Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung of Coa have further reason to celebrate, as their latest venture, The Savory Project, makes its debut into the list at No.19 and earns the London Essence Best New Opening Award 2024.
Zest in Seoul continues its meteoric rise, from No.48 in 2022 to No.5 in 2023 to the No.2 spot this year. One of its four co-founders, Dohyung ‘Demie’ Kim, is also the recipient of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, with Zest named The Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Naked Malt, for a second consecutive year.
Singaporean bars also came out in force, taking home a total of four special awards. Atlas, ranked at No.49, bags the Bareksten Best Bar Design Award alongside the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award, thanks to its consistency and longevity across Asia’s 50 Best Bars rankings. New opening Fura makes its debut at No.42, while also winning the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award for its planet-friendly cocktail programme. The legendary Jigger & Pony at No.3 holds onto its title as The Best Bar in Singapore 2024, sponsored by Tia Maria.
The teams from Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 take to the stage in Hong Kong
Tokyo continues to prove its credentials as a cocktail hub, with Virtù earning the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2024 for its impeccable service, and the legendary Bar Benfiddich retaining its crown as The Best Bar in Japan, sponsored by Torres Brandy.
In Malaysia, Reka breaks into the ranking, debuting at No.41, with Penrose rising 42 places from its previous ranking to No.8, taking home both the Nikka Highest Climber Award and the title of The Best Bar in Malaysia 2024, sponsored by Nikka Whisky.
The bars of Bangkok also continue their winning streak, with the coveted Campari One To Watch Award presented to Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, and Argentinian-inspired BKK Social Club again named The Best Bar in Thailand 2024, sponsored by Scrappy’s Bitters.
Yangdup Lama, the mastermind behind Sidecar in New Delhi, is named the Roku Industry Icon 2024. Bengaluru’s ZLB23 debuts at No.40 and is named The Best Bar in India 2024.
But the last word goes to Bar Leone’s Antinori: “There are so many great bars in Asia. There’s a lot of diversity in Hong Kong, with the bar scene evolving so quickly. It’s a city that’s very competitive but it gives you a lot. We’re very blessed to be here. We are a Hong Kong bar, and we’re very proud of that.”
Stay tuned to 50 Best’s social channels over the next few days as we share exclusive photography and videography from the events in Hong Kong.
The list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, sponsored by Perrier, was revealed at a live awards ceremony at Rosewood Hong Kong on 16 July. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube to stay up to date with all the news and announcements.
