On July 18, Rosewood Hong Kong will host the eighth edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bar awards ceremony, unveiling this year’s list of the region’s best bars.
Marking the very first time the seminal event will take place in Hong Kong, several guest shifts will be happening across the city in collaboration with mixologists from some of the best bars in the world.
Giacomo Giannotti at DarkSide
On July 16-17, Rosewood’s DarkSide (#13 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022) will host an exclusive pop-up by Barcelona-based speakeasy Paradiso, winner of World’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Tuscany-born Giacomo Giannotti, owner and head bartender of Paradiso, will be joined by Rosewood Hong Kong’s Director of Bars Simone Rossi, Bar Manager KT Lam and the DarkSide team to re-create their world-class signature mixes. All cocktails are priced at $180.
Mel Chavez at Salisterra
On July 15, Salisterra at The Upper House celebrates Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 season with a guest shift featuring Mel Chavez from Smoke & Mirrors in Singapore.
With a slew of awards under his belt, including leading the Smoke & Mirrors team to their first placement on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list last year, Mel is constantly learning and evolving, driven by his passion for creating interactive, spirit-forward drinks. His creations blur the line between the familiar and the experimental.
For one night only, guests can enjoy creations such as Sip on My Butter Half, The Katong Laksa and more. The Singaporean flavours continue at Salisterra until August 31, with a selection of cocktails featuring Singaporean flavours by Bar Manager Gail Lanoria.
Guest shifts at Island Shangri-La’s Lobster Bar
To celebrate World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, Lobster Bar’s new Bar Manager, Enrico Gonzato, will host elite mixologists to stage their signature cocktails at Island Shangri-La Hong Kong between July 13 and 20. First up is renowned Japanese guest mixologist Shingo Gokan from The SG Club in Tokyo (ranked 21st in Asia 50 Best Bars 2022), who will serve up four of his signature drinks from July 13-15, including Kagoshima Geisha, Martini Over Rice, Speak Low and Vino de Lequio, and one other tailored exclusively for Lobster Bar called Lobster Mary.
Gina Barbachano, the talented bartender and general manager of Hanky Panky in Mexico (ranked 13th on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list), will take over the bar from 16 to 17 July, with her unique approach of translating her sensations into cocktails recipes from different cities on full display. And from July 19-20, guests can immerse in a memorable mixology experience with Volkan Ibil, the Beverage Manager from The Back Room at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, which ranked 51st on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 list.
Yangdup Lama, Uno Jang & Fitria Asri at The Aubrey
The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong will host two guest bar shifts over the coming week. On July 15 from 6-10 pm, The Aubrey will host Yangdup Lama from Sidecar in New Delhi, India (ranked #14 in Asia’s 50 Best in 2022). Sidecar will unveil its brand new menu in Hong Kong. On July 17 from 6-10 pm, Singaporean Jigger & Pony (ranked #2 in Asia’s 50 Best in 2022) will also present their new menu which was launched recently in Singapore.
Simone Caporale at Quinary
On July 17, Simone Caporale of Barcelona bars Boadas Cocktails and Sips will host a one-night takeover at the famous Quinary in Hong Kong. Partnering with Italian aperitivo Amaro Santoni for an exclusive cocktail menu from 8 pm – 11 pm, Simone will also host a masterclass from 3-4 pm so guests can experience his mixology first-hand. Expect delicious Amaro Santoni cocktails inspired by Simone’s Barcelona bars.
Guest shifts at Zuma Hong Kong
Zuma Hong Kong will join forces with global industry friends to celebrate the first Asia’s 50 Best Bar Awards in Hong Kong. The guest shift series will feature tastemakers, including Mario la Pietra from Neon Pigeon Singapore on July 19, Dennis Zoppi from Italy on July 20, and Davide Sambo from Zuma Bangkok on July 21. During these takeovers, guests can enjoy collaborative cocktail experiences and masterclasses.
Simone Caporale at Grand Hyatt Steakhouse
On July 20, Simone Caporale will pop up again at Grand Hyatt Steakhouse for a guest shift in collaboration with the whisky brand Naked Malt. From 8-11 pm, Caporale, ranked third in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, will serve up an evening of cocktail exploration, incredible mixology skills and unexpected flavours through specially curated cocktails featuring Naked Malt—reservation required.
