Top six Asia-Pacific bars to visit in 2016

Once pigeonholed as the home of the strange and wonderful, Asia is now turning heads as some of the world’s brightest bartenders shift over, discovers Haley Forest.

Asia-Pacific is really capturing the attention of barflies around the world

Asia has long been the land of the future, with fashion, technology and innovation turning our craziest ideas into reality. When it came to the drinks industry, however, there seemed to be a massive gap, a hole in the market that the rest of the world generally overlooked.

The service was always flawless, but the drinks themselves were frequently written off as overly sweet and dated, somehow having missed the cocktail renaissance the rest of the world was witnessing.

Then, almost overnight, all that started to change and now it seems as though every day, a top notch bartender from cities like New York, Portland and Berlin are announcing their plans to move across the world, opening up a whole community filled with everything from luxury to dive, and all with substance and style.

This new movement, lead by expats and locals returning from stints in foreign markets, is set to transform Asia into one of the most exciting regions in the world for the international drinks industry.

Click through the following pages to discover our pick of the top six Asia-Pacific bars to visit in 2016, as well as our Asia-Pacific Bar to Watch 2016. While these bars are not necessarily new, they look set to offer exciting things for discerning barflies in the year ahead.

Charles H. at the Four Seasons – Seoul, South Korea

When one of New York City’s rising young stars moved to Seoul, global heads instantly turned towards the east. Named after late drinks writer Charles H. Barker, this speakeasy hideaway opened its doors on 1 October to a chorus of curious chatter over what head bartender Chris Lowder might present. After earning his stripes at the Big Apple’s best (Booker & Dax, Amor y Amargo and Nomad), there’s no doubt the drinks are only going to go from strength to strength, supported by some of the best hospitality to be found anywhere in the city. 

Operation Dagger – Singapore

Tucked underneath an apparently abandoned building in Singapore’s Ann Siang Hill and only identifiable by an obscure symbol, Operation Dagger pushes drinkers’ preconceptions which a menu which deliberately doesn’t disclose base spirits. Its cloud of light bulbs epitomises its Scandi interior, under which the bar team, led by Oxwell & Co’s Luke Whearty alongside Yijun Juan and Aki Nishikura, busy themselves concocting all sorts of unusual serves. While Operation Dagger has been open a while now, word is spreading and 2016 is set to be its breakout year.

Lobster Bar – Hong Kong

Housed in the opulent yet cosy Shangri-La, the Lobster Bar has been around for bit, but only recently has the world been paying attention. Every detail is thoughtfully considered in this Art Deco paradise, from jaw dropping cuisine matched with expert drinks and the kind of hospitality you never want to leave. Serhan Kusaksizoglu, aka Charly, the hotel group’s bar mastermind, put in some serious extra love here, and it really shows.

Heartbreaker – Melbourne, Australia

While we know and love the hidden magic of The Everleigh, its little sister is the one making waves right now. Eschewing the speakeasy vibe, it’s all out in the open with beers on tap, shots of whiskey and a 1970s juke box that demands you sing along. With Everleigh classic cocktails available pre-bottled and ready to roll, plus a fully stocked bar and expert barkeeps, they keep fun in focus all the while bringing that level of expertise and style associated with everything Michael Madrusan does.

Le Boutier – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A new era is coming to Cambodia, and its bar scene is no exception. The most recent shift comes in the form of Bassac Lane and the plethora of newly opened micro-bars drawing in expats and adventurous locals alike. As The Spirits Business went to press, Le Boutier was just moments away from opening – but already its pedigree is pointing to a new benchmark in Phnom Penh’s drinking culture. Headed up by Chicago powerhouse Annemarie Sagoi, expect a ‘60s style mod vibe with locally influenced cocktails, and the kind of service that makes a place feel like home.

Asia-Pacific Bar to Watch 2016: The Pontiac – Hong Kong

One part dive bar, one part cocktail heaven, The Pontiac is headed up by powerhouse Beckaly Franks (formally of Portland’s Clyde Common). It is all about not taking things too seriously and as a result the bar is seriously fun. It’s quickly become the go-to spot in Hong Kong for visiting bartenders, filled with a fun group of locals and personality-forward staff who know how to have a great time serving up some of the best hospitality in the city.

The Pontiac is a major departure from the norm in Hong Kong, where frequently all that glitters is king and slick bar-tops and even slicker service is the way forward. Here the cocktails are top notch, but there’s an extra ingredient not listed: good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll.

Housed next door to Fatty Crab, the decor is retro and cheeky but not in a forced way, allowing guests to relax and settle into the easy nine drink-strong menu (plus Jello shots) without feeling like there is a requirement for flash. Come nightfall, this is the place to party. With a killer juke box and some pretty spectacular themed parties, these guys like to have a good time making top-notch cocktails while probably dancing on the bar at the same time.