Often referred to as the Oscars of the bartending world, Asia’s 50 Best Bars returns to Hong Kong for the second successive year on Tuesday (July 16). Expect a who’s who of the regional and international bar scene as the greats of mixology descend on the city to sling all manner of elixirs and libations in the lead-up to, and aftermath of, the awards announcement at the Rosewood Hong Kong. If there’s any doubt as to the mood around this week’s proceedings, you have been warned: with 50 guest shifts and counting on the books, Hong Kong is set to be sozzled by craft cocktails.
Veteran imbibers undoubtedly have their barhopping routes mapped with military precision, but for the uninitiated, behold our picks of the top guest shifts to mark on your calendar – then possibly notify next of kin. Kicking off proceedings in style on Sunday, Singapore-based marketing agency The Foundry has commandeered the 129-year-old snake restaurant Ser Wong Fun to throw an industry soirée in celebration of the rich heritage of Cantonese culture. Headlining the event are Lola Lau of Guangzhou’s Hope and Sesame, which was ranked the best bar in mainland China by Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023; Samuel Kwok of forthcoming The Opposites, a new cocktail bar from the former manager of Quinary and veteran bartender Antonio Lai; Tiger Irene Leung of Changsha-based CMYK; and yours truly, representing Cantonese cocktail bar Kinsman.
Cocktails made using Ser Wong Fun’s snake wine aren’t the only a.
