Tokyo reinforced its global clout as a cocktail hub on Wednesday, when three of its bars were ranked on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list announced in Hong Kong.
Bar Benfiddich climbed seven spots from last year to place 18th, while Virtu slipped from No. 42 to No. 45. New entrant The Bellwood, a Shibuya bar known for its twist on classic cocktails, came in at No. 48.
The top honor went to Hong Kong’s Bar Leone, which previously ranked second. It swapped places with Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy this year. Bar Leone made history as the first establishment in Asia to top the World’s 50 Best Bars list. The win extends its streak after also claiming the No. 1 spot on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in July. Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori opened the bar in the city’s Central district in 2023.
Daniel Goh, editor of Singapore-based online drinks publication Spirited Asia, said Bar Leone feels like “a cafe in Rome,” with a casual approachability that “stands in stark contrast to the pretentious speakeasies or glitzy hotel lounges that come to mind when we think of award-winning cocktail bars.”
Goh acknowledged that some may question how Bar Leone rose through the rankings so quickly but said the bar’s achievement deserves recognition.
“This win is a watershed moment (that shows) Asia can stand tall in the global cocktail scene, and cements Hong Kong's place as one of the major cocktail capitals of the world,” he said.
Bar Leone and Singapore’s Jigger & Pony (No. 9) were the only Asia-based venues in the top 10, which was dominated by European bars such as Barcelona’s Sips (No. 3) and London’s Connaught Bar (No. 6).
This year’s list features bars from 29 cities worldwide. Venues from Eastern Europe also made the cut for the first time: Bratislava’s Mirror Bar ranked 25th, while Tirana’s Nouvelle Vague placed 28th.
“We are deeply honored to spotlight the extraordinary diversity of the global bar landscape in 2025,” said Emma Sleight, head of content for World’s 50 Best Bars. “We raise a glass to every bar that has earned its place on this year’s list.
“With more cocktail capitals represented than ever before, (this year’s) ranking continues to serve as a vibrant compass for curious drinkers and passionate explorers alike — igniting wanderlust and raising the bar for cocktail culture across the globe.”
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