The annual list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, will be unveiled as part of a live awards ceremony in Hong Kong at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, an iconic structure with stunning views of Victoria Harbour on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

For its 17th edition, one of the most prestigious rankings in the global bar industry will once again return to Asia to showcase the achievements of the finest bars, bartenders and cocktail cities around the world. The global bar community is set to gather in Hong Kong to celebrate and honour the exceptional accomplishments of their peers who have been at the forefront of shaping cocktail culture across the globe.

Voted for by a handpicked academy of more than 700 bartenders, consultants, writers and cocktail specialists from around the world, with a 50/50 gender split, the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars is independently adjudicated by Deloitte.

”We are thrilled to bring The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony to the incredible city of Hong Kong, whose bar scene continues to grow and develop year on year,” said Emma Sleight, head of content for The World’s 50 Best Bars. “As we gather to celebrate another phenomenal year in the global cocktail industry, we look forward to inspiring cocktail lovers worldwide to discover their new favourite bar and join us in honouring the finest establishments around the world.”

Dane Cheng, executive director for the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said, “Entering the second year of the three-year partnership between [the Hong Kong Tourism Board] and 50 Best, Hong Kong is set to welcome the biggest names in the global bar scene for the first time. The bar scene in Hong Kong reflects the city’s rich cultural tapestry and forward-thinking spirit, making it a must-visit destination for cocktail lovers worldwide. We look forward to hosting this event in Hong Kong in October, which will kick off a month of culinary celebrations, culminating in the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival.”

Highlights for the event program in Hong Kong will include the Bartenders’ Feast, hosted the evening before the ceremony for those talented individuals whose bars feature in this year’s ranking. The anticipated list of The World’s 50 Best Bars will be unveiled at a grand ceremony with red-carpet arrivals and a drinks reception in advance of the live countdown and reveal of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, including the much sought after title of The World’s Best Bar.

Ahead of the awards ceremony, 50 Best will reveal the winners of two special awards designed to celebrate the exceptional achievements of one bar and one bartender over the past year, as well as those venues ranked in the extended 51-100 list:

• Michter’s Art of Hospitality: This award is voted for by all members of The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, who are asked to name the bar where they received the single best hospitality experience during the voting period.
• Altos Bartenders’ Bartender: This award is voted for by the bartenders behind those bars on this year’s list, who are asked to name one peer who has done more to further the craft of bartending than any other across the course of the 18-month voting period.
• 51-100 list: 50 Best will reveal those bars ranked between 51st and 100th across its website and social media channels.

Earlier this year, bars from all over the world, whether they feature in the list of The World’s 50 Best bars or not, were invited to submit themselves for two special awards, the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and the Best Bar Design Award, with the winners set to be announced at the ceremony in Hong Kong. Over the next few months, nominations will also open for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship, offering one trailblazing young bartender the opportunity to expand their horizons with unique stages (internships) at two bars on the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars.

The countdown of the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 will also be broadcast live to a global audience. Bar and cocktail lovers are invited to join through The World’s 50 Best Bars TV channel on YouTube.