For the first time ever, the world’s best bar isn’t in London, New York, or Barcelona, it’s in Hong Kong. And it’s a bar that proudly calls itself “cocktail popolari” or cocktails for the people.
At the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, Bar Leone has made history as the first Asian bar to claim the No.1 spot, a defining moment for the continent and a proud signal to bartenders across India and beyond that the global bar stage is no longer defined by the West.
The power of simplicity
Created by Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone is built on an idea that might sound familiar to anyone who’s ever worked a busy shift: keep it simple, serve it with heart, and make everyone feel at home.
No rotovaps, no theatrics, just excellent drinks and genuine hospitality. Antinori calls it a return to “cocktails for the people,” a philosophy that strips away the ego and puts community front and centre. The bar’s menu, shared publicly on Google Docs, lists every recipe and method, open to anyone who wants to learn.
It’s a bold, generous move that resonates deeply with India’s growing bartender community, where collaboration, learning, and accessibility have become the new markers of progress.
Hospitality over hype
Inside, Bar Leone feels like an Italian neighbourhood bar, warm wood panels, framed football jerseys, and a lively energy that could easily remind you of a great night out in Delhi, Goa, or Bangalore.
The drinks are familiar yet elevated: a vodka martini turned “filthy” with smoked olive brine, a white negroni kissed with yuzu sake. It’s hospitality first, technique second, and a refreshing reminder that good bartending isn’t about who can do the most, but who can connect best.
As Antinori puts it, “We’ll never change our ethos. We’ll never stop being a neighbourhood bar.”
Asia’s rise, and what it means for India
Asia’s presence on the 2025 list is stronger than ever. Alongside Bar Leone, bars from Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul, Penang, and Guangzhou all feature prominently.
This shift matters. It signals a global appetite for authenticity, for bars that reflect where they come from. For Indian bartenders, it’s an encouraging sign that the world is ready for stories rooted in local culture and ingredients.
If a Roman-inspired neighbourhood bar in Hong Kong can reach No.1, why not a bar from India next?
Highlights from around the world
- Sips (Barcelona) holds strong at No.3 and co-founder Simone Caporale is named Roku Industry Icon.
- Moebius Milano makes the biggest jump of the year, rising 31 spots to No.7.
- Backdoor Bodega (Penang) wins Best Cocktail Menu for its indie travel-zine style storytelling.
- The Cambridge Public House (Paris) takes home the Sustainable Bar Award as the world’s first B Corp-certified bar.
A new era of global bartending
For those behind the stick in India, Bar Leone’s win isn’t just about one bar, it’s about a shift in global culture. It’s proof that excellence doesn’t require extravagance, that community beats exclusivity, and that hospitality is still the true craft.
As Indian bars continue to rise (making their mark across Asia’s 50 Best and beyond) Bar Leone’s win is a reminder: the world is watching, and the time for our region is now.
Perfect Serve India congratulates the global winners for the endless hours invested to ensure others have an incredible time in their venues. Here’s to a year of heart, humility, and high standards behind every counter.
