The prestigious list of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 was unfurled a few days ago, and Singapore’s beautiful Atlas Bar in Parkview Square maintained a firm grip in its spot as 8th best bar in the world, same as last year. It’s also the best bar in Asia now, beating previous title holder Manhattan (Singapore) in 11th place and besting other Asian bars The Old Man (Hong Kong) in 9th place, Native (Singapore) in 12th place, High Five (Tokyo) in 18th place, among others.
The World’s 50 Best Bars, an annual ranking that is determined by votes from more than 500 “drinks experts”, boasts of an eclectic selection of the most visit-worthy global watering holes. Looking through the list is enough to make you thirsty!
Atlas, located in Parkview Square, is known not only for its elegant atmosphere but for its finest selections of gin (with more than 1,300 labels on offer), spirits and champagne. The luxuriously-decorated art deco bar dethroned Singapore’s Manhattan bar for the title of “The Best Bar in Asia”.
Located in the lobby of the Regent Singapore and impressive for its extensive whisky selection, Manhattan held the top spot in Asia for three consecutive years (ranking 3rd in 2018) but then dropped to 11th this year.
When Atlas first opened its doors in 2017, it snagged the recognition of being the 15th best bar in the world, continuously rising in the ranks.
Singapore boasts of six entries in the ranking of the top 50 best bars globally: Atlas (8th), Manhattan (11th), Native (12th), Jigger & Pony (29th), Operation Dagger (30th) and The Old Man Singapore (38th).
While Atlas, Manhattan, Native and Operation Dagger were returning top placers, Jigger & Pony and The Old Man Singapore made the elite cut for the first time. Jigger & Pony was praised for the layout and feel of its new venue at the Amara Hotel in Tanjong Pagar Road, and The Old Man was singled out for its “charm and service level”.
It’s a good year for Amoy Street’s Native bar, which went up to 12th place from 13th last year, but Operation Dagger, located at Ann Siang Hill, fell seven places to rank 30th.
Besides beating out local bars, Atlas also outranked other Asian bars that made the list—High Five in Tokyo (18th), Indulge Experimental Bistro in Taipei (21st), The SG Club in Tokyo (24th), Shanghai’s Speak Low (35th), Sober Company in Shanghai (45th) and Hong Kong’s Coa (49th).
Crowned the world’s best bar for 2019 is New York’s Dante, an all-day restaurant bar with refined but wholesome Italian food, aperitivos and cocktails for days. London’s Connaught Bar and Buenos Aires’ Floreria Atlantico were ranked second and third respectively. -/TISG