Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 is just around the corner. With so many of the world’s best bartenders in town for guest shifts and the ceremony, now’s the chance to do some serious drinking — responsibly, of course. Here are our top picks of guest shifts celebrating Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 over the next couple of days.
As our city gears up for the upcoming Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 ceremony on July 16, bars all over the city are welcoming bartenders across Asia to show off their mixology skills. Still, there’s only so many drinks the human liver can take. So, we’ve chosen some of the biggest events and guest shifts happening in town leading up to the ceremony. Save the headache (and the hangover) and check out our list below.
The biggest Asia’s 50 Best Bars guest shifts
Benfiddich x Red Sugar
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For two nights, the acclaimed Hiroyasu Kayama from Japan’s highest-ranking bar Benfiddich (#4 in 2023) will be serving drinks at Red Sugar. He crafts his signature fruit-focused drinks using his skills as an experienced hotel bartender. Guests can experience Kayama’s farm-to-glass philosophy first-hand, where he uses botanicals which he grows himself on his farm.
Where: Red Sugar, 7/F, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon
When: Saturday, July 13 (7 p.m. until late) and Sunday, July 14 (5 p.m. until late)
How: Reserve via phone (+852 2252 5281)
Lion City in Hong Kong
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Enjoy the afternoon rooftop views from Cardinal Point as you sip on some of the best creations from Singapore’s cocktail scene. Participating bars include Origin Bar (#95 in 2023), Stay Gold Flamingo (#32 in 2023), and Atlas (#27 in 2023). Each bar will be displaying its craft and expertise, as well as its unique Singaporean touch. Don’t miss this unique chance to have a taste of the Lion City right in Hong Kong.
Where: Cardinal Point, Forty-Five, Gloucester Tower Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central
When: Sunday, July 14 (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
How: Purchase tickets online
STIR Saigon x Cruise Restaurant & Bar guest shift
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Vietnam’s highest-ranked bar in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list is showcasing his craft at the Cruise’s rooftop. Dinh Thép of STIR Saigon (Vietnam, #82 in 2023) is bringing four of his signature creations over. Guests can enjoy classic cocktails with a Vietnamese twist, something you can’t find elsewhere. Highlights include the “Xôi Mít” Jackfruit Sticky Rice, a take on the classic highball with homemade jackfruit cordial. Another signature is the “Tình Yêu Không Lời” Love Without Words, a whisky sour with refreshing and fruity flavours such as strawberry, passionfruit, apples, and cherry blossom.
When: Sunday, July 14 (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Where: Cruise Restaurant & Bar, 23/F, West Tower, Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong, 1 North Point Estate Lane, North Point
How: Walk-ins only, priced at HK$118 + 11% per cocktail
The Foundry presents Canto Night Takeover
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The iconic Ser Wong Fun at Central will be transformed for one night in the Canto Night Takeover by The Foundry. Through the night, bartenders Lola Lau of Hope & Sesame Guangzhou/Shenzhen, China (#18 in 2022), Samuel Kwok of The Opposites, Hong Kong, Tiger Irene Leung of CMYK, Changsha, China (50 Best Discovery in 2024), and Gavin Yeung of Kinsman, Hong Kong will be taking over the bar. Explore Cantonese spirits and traditions with this back-to-back double guest shift.
When:Sunday, July 14 (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Where: Ser Wong Fun, 30 Cochrane St, Central
How: Reserve via e-mail (hello@thefoundry.asia) or Instagram DM (@thefoundryasia)
Singapore Takeover
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As the only other city besides Hong Kong dominating the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, there’s no shortage of guest shifts featuring Singaporean bars. Seasoned bar Nutmeg & Clove (#7 in 2023) will be joined by newcomers Night Hawk (50 Best Discovery) and Cat Bite Club (#77 in 2024) as they pop up for one night at Thirsty Shaker. Enjoy the best of the Lion City from both the old and the new in a single event.
When: Monday, July 15 (7 p.m. until sold out)
Where: Thirsty Shaker, 3/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Graham St, Central
How: Walk-ins allowed
Smoke & Mirrors x Yurakucho Takeover
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Yurakucho is welcoming Mel John Chavez and Wong Wee Siong from Singapore’s Smoke & Mirrors (#60 in 2022) on July 15. The two bartenders will present four drinks, including three from their upcoming menu. Each drink is bursting with colours, inspired by a painter’s palette. The four drinks include the bright chartreuse Zen Voyage, capturing the tranquillity of bamboo, and Shiitake Happens, an earthy drink paired with tangy blueberries. The guest shift is part of the Singular City Drink by Singular Concepts, a series of guest shifts to celebrate Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024.
When: Monday, July 15 (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Where: Yurakucho, G/F, Yu Yuet Lai Building, 43-55 Wyndham St, Central
How: Purchase tickets online for the entire series
BARSTARS with The Orientalist Spirits
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Ten prominent female bartenders and industry leaders from Asia’s 50 Best Bars are taking over The Green Door for an all-night guest shift. Hong Kong’s Arlene Wong will host BARTSTARS with The Orientalist Spirits with her fellow mixologists, spotlighting some of the most influential women in the field. Participating bartenders include Zana Mohlmann of Manhattan Bar (Singapore, #21 in 2023), Chunyanuch “Ning” Yodsuwan of BKK Social Club (Thailand, #3 in 2023), Lolita Goh of Jungle Bird (Malaysia, #35 in 2022), Chun Chun of The Pi (Vietnam), Fahbeer Suchada of Lost in Thaislation (Thailand), Hazel Long of Junior The Pocket Bar (Singapore, 50 Best Discovery), Pei of Under Lab (Taiwan, #72 in 2024), Ellen Xu of Chimney (Hangzhou, China), Yu Abiko of Bee’s Knees and Newjack (Kyoto, Japan, #44 in 2023), and Siyoung Park of Bar Factory (Seoul, Korea).
When: Monday, July 15 (8 p.m. until late)
Where: The Green Door, G/F, 97 Wellington St, Central
How: Walk-ins allowed, priced at HK$100 + 10% per cocktail
The Hanoi Takeover
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Some of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in Hanoi will join forces to take over Terribly Baby for a guest shift. Sean Halse of The Hudson Rooms (Vietnam, #81 in 2024) will be serving his signatures such as the Warbonnet Locomotive, featuring ingredients such as purple cabbage. On the other hand, Collin Nguyen and Thomas Nguyen of The Haflington (Vietnam, #85 in 2023) will serve up drinks like the malt-based The Kingship, made with black pepper honey, kaffir lime leaves, and more. The guest shift takes place after the 50 Best Bartender’s Feast, with complimentary bus transfers available from the dinner.
When: Monday, July 15 (9 p.m. to midnight)
Where: Terrible Baby, 4/F, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan
How: Walk-ins allowed, priced at HK$130 + 10% per cocktail
Hero image courtesy of Bee’s Knees and The Foundry. Featured image courtesy of The Haflington and Eaton HK.
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Written by
Johanna Muliani
Editorial Assistant, Dining and Culture
An Indonesian enamoured with the sights of Hong Kong, Jo is a curious spirit who loves telling stories with a focus on Art, People, and F&B. After work, you'll find Jo knitting, dabbling in gaming, and looking for where to eat next.
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