Asia’s 50 Best Bars Awards: Indians from Hong Kong bars makes it to the list

The annual Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards streamed live recently to announce its coveted 2020 list. The award ceremony was originally scheduled to commence at the Capitol Theatre in Singapore, but in light of the current situation, the committee decided to show the countdown online.

This year’s list featured bars from 10 countries in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia Greater China including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and more.

What’s worthy in this list is that even with not many Indian bars apart from Sidecar, New Delhi, are seen on the list many renowned Indian faces could be seen here.

Sandeep Kumar’s co-founded The Wise King, Hong Kong ranked 18th on the list. Sandeep’s bar’s regal interior sets the tone, and the signature cocktails focused on adding a Spanish twist to classic concepts, complements it perfectly. Sandeep launched his career with Taj Bengaluru and today is world-famous for his work.

Devender Kumar, Bar Manager of Otto E Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong celebrate his presence on the list at rank 28. Devender Kumar is probably one of India’s most well-known bartenders and is recognised worldwide as one of the key people who has been pushing the boundaries of India’s burgeoning cocktail revolution. Originally from New Delhi, Devender started out with Taj Hotels in Delhi and Mumbai before being awarded India’s World Class bartender of the year in 2012. Kumar has been Bar Manager of Chef Umberto Bombana’s Hong Kong flagship since 2014.

Another name to the list includes Harsh Roopchand from The Pontiac, Hong Kong. The Pontiac is a grungy, down-at-heel American-style bar that looks like it would fit in just as well in downtown NYC as it does on the steep slope of Old Bailey Street. Its retro rock-chick vibe with an all-female bar staff makes it a hotspot for the party-hardy Hong Kongers.

Harsh Roopchand is a Hospitality, F&B, and Events specialist who is Co-Founder of award-winning Hong Kong-based bars and restaurants 8 creATEive, Fatty Crab, and The Pontiac (#35 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020) and The Pontiac Stardust and Flat Stanley in Bali. The bar is helmed by Beckaly Franks, a lady who’s mixed it with the best. Beckaly recently (2019) did a two-night pop-up at Olive Bar & Kitchen Mumbai, Public Affair, New Delhi and even represented Hong Kong at the Jameson stall in India Cocktails week held in New Delhi in 2019.

Sidecar, New Delhi, owned by the bartender and award-winning mixologist, Yangdup Lama, and Consultant and Beverage marketing expert Minakshi Singh becomes the only Indian bar to make it to the list this year. True to master mixologist Yangdup’s passion, Sidecar, is spread over two floors, is yet another interpretation of a bartender’s bar run by the team behind the multi-award-winning Cocktails & Dreams Speakeasy. The drinks menu boasts artisanal cocktails made using in-house flavour extractions including bitters, syrups, grogs, and tinctures.

Here is the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 winners:

1. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
2. The Old Man Hong Kong, Hong Kong
3. Coa, Hong Kong
4. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
5. Atlas, Singapore
6. Native, Singapore
7. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
8. Manhattan, Singapore
9. The SG Club, Tokyo
10. Aha Saloon, Taipei
11. Vesper, Bangkok
12. Sober Company, Shanghai
13. Bar Mood, Taipei
14. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur
15. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
16. Quinary, Hong Kong
17. Tippling Club, Singapore
18. The Wise King, Hong Kong
19. Speak Low, Shanghai
20. Bar High Five, Tokyo
21. Bee’s Knees, Kyoto
22. The Old Man Singapore, Singapore
23. D.Bespoke, Singapore
24. Tropic City, Bangkok
25. Gibson, Singapore
26. Draft Land, Taipei
27. Room By Le Kief, Taipei
28. Otto E Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
29. Charles H, Seoul
30. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
31. Rabbit Hole, Bangkok
32. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
33. Backstage Cocktail Bar, Bangkok
34. Caprice Bar, Hong Kong
35. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
36. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
37. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
38. The Odd Couple, Shanghai
39. Bar Trench, Tokyo
40. Sidecar, New Delhi
41. Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo
42. The Curator, Manila
43. Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar, Jakarta
44. Lobster Bar & Grill, Hong Kong
45. The Back Room, Manila
46. MO Bar, Singapore
47. Alice, Seoul
48. Coley, Kuala Lumpur
49. Le Chamber, Seoul
50. Cham Bar, Seoul