This October, The World’s 50 Best Bars descends on Hong Kong for the first time ever, bringing the global spotlight to our city’s cocktail culture. After past editions in London, Barcelona, Singapore and Madrid, the 2025 awards will be unveiled at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on 8 October — a milestone moment for Hong Kong’s hospitality scene.
To mark the occasion, we turned to our own experts, the somms and bartenders who spend their lives thinking about drinks, and asked them a simple question: where do you go for your favourite cocktail? From Negronis to Mauresques — in and outside of our world — here is what they had to say:
“A good Martinez by Axel Gonzales at Terrible Baby is hard to beat. It’s well balanced, with their unique twist of rosemary and pomelo citrus that makes it stand out.”
—J.D. Valencia, The Polo Club
“I’m a big fan of the Negroni, and for me it all comes down to the vermouth; a good sweet vermouth makes all the difference. I’m biased, but that is why I love the Negroni we make here at Grand Majestic Sichuan.”
—Ashrit Rai, Grand Majestic Sichuan
“For me, nothing beats a Mauresque. It takes me straight back to Marseille, my hometown. The bartenders at Jean-Pierre make it perfectly, especially when Marc is behind the counter. Add the cool terrace, and it feels like a little piece of home in the city.”
—Adrien Michelon, Osteria Marzia
“The barrel-aged Negroni at Associazione Chianti is a standout, with extra texture and a gentle vanilla note that elevates the classic. I also love Jay Khan’s The Savoury Project on Staunton, their Miso Coffee Boulevardier is one of my favourites.”
—Chad Cloete, Grand Majestic Sichuan
“An extra creamy, flavourful Espresso Martini is liquid gold to me. Sam makes one of the best at Botanical Garden.”
—Nicolas Eyquem, Jean-Pierre
“The Last Word is my favourite, because Chartreuse is my all time favourite. This cocktail has the perfect balance of herbaceousness, fruit and citrus. I love to enjoy it at Caprice Bar overlooking the harbour.”
—Jean-Baptiste, Magistracy Dining Room
As the world’s best bartenders gather in Hong Kong this week, we are reminded that our own team are not just experts in the dining room but also true connoisseurs at the bar. Their choices highlight what makes a great cocktail culture: passion, craft and a sense of place.
If you are in town for World’s 50 Best this October, take their lead, and discover a cocktail worth remembering — and join us for two special events: Le French Connection at Jean-Pierre, featuring The Cambridge Public House (#19, World’s 50 Best 2024), Bar Nouveau (#39, World’s 50 Best 2024) and Danico Danico (#49, World’s 50 Best 2024), and the Canton Cocktail Banquet at Ho Lee Fook, featuring Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame (#7, Asia’s 50 Best 2025) and Macau’s Wing Lei Bar.
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