The world’s top cocktail destinations have been crowned, and Singapore has once again secured its place at the global bar. In the latest edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, two homegrown favorites—Jigger & Pony and Nutmeg & Clove—represent the Lion City, placing it alongside Tokyo as one of only two Asian cities with multiple entries in the main top 50 list.
A Tale of Two Singapore Bars
Jigger & Pony, a titan of Singapore’s cocktail scene, secured 18th place. Although this is a step down from 9th last year and lower than its 5th-place peak two years ago, the bar remains a mandatory pilgrimage for serious drinkers. Housed in the Amara Singapore hotel, it is famous for its “menuzine”—a hybrid magazine and cocktail list that illustrates its menu with personality and panache. Think an Asian-inspired classic rotation, including a signature Singapore Sling given a smoky tang via lapsang souchong tea.
On the rise is Nutmeg & Clove, which climbed an impressive 12 spots to land at 38th place. Located on Purvis Street, the bar is having a standout year thanks to its deep roots in Singaporean culture. Its latest menu, Singapura, Oh Singapura, is a comic-book tribute to Singlish, offering drinks like “Alamak” and “Die Die Must Try.” These creations give local ingredients and flavors a modern, global-ready makeover.
Hong Kong Dominates the Summit
While Singapore shined, Hong Kong took the top crown. Bar Leone claimed the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive year, becoming the first Asian bar to hold the title twice. This Roman-inspired den specializes in “Cocktail Popolari,” proving that expertly made classics in a neighborhood setting can conquer the world. With four bars in the top 50, Hong Kong tied with Paris and New York for the most representation on the list.
Here is the global top 10 from this year’s ranking, as voted by an academy of over 800 drinks experts:
- 1. Bar Leone (Hong Kong)
- 2. Moebius Milano (Milan)
- 3. Alquímico (Cartagena)
- 4. Bar Us (Bangkok)
- 5. Line (Athens)
- 6. Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City)
- 7. Zest (Seoul)
- 8. Connaught Bar (London)
- 9. Lady Bee (Lima)
- 10. Bar Mauro (Mexico City)
Asia’s Growing Clout
The rankings undeniably signal a shift in cocktail hegemony. Bangkok placed three bars inside the top 50, led by Bar Us at 4th place. Seoul impressed with Zest at 7th. Meanwhile, the extended list (51-100) saw Singapore’s Offtrack make its debut, rounding out a fantastic year for the country’s bar scene. This year’s full list features 50 bars from 26 cities, including 14 brand-new entries.
What This Means for Drinkers
For cocktail enthusiasts, the World’s 50 Best Bars list doubles as a definitive global travel guide. The rising success of venues like Nutmeg & Clove suggests a growing international appetite for hyper-local stories and flavors, served with world-class technique. The center of the cocktail universe is expanding rapidly, no longer dominated solely by London and New York.
Singapore’s double win reaffirms its status as a heavyweight. As the competition heats up, expect the city’s top bartenders to keep pushing boundaries, mixing local heritage with global technique to climb even higher next year. Whether it’s the studied perfection of Jigger & Pony or the narrative-driven creativity of Nutmeg & Clove, the country’s bar scene continues to mature on the highest stage.