The eighth version of Asia’s 50 Finest Bars awards ceremony, held on the Rosewood Hong Kong on Tuesday, July, 18, celebrated the best cocktail institutions within the continent. This 12 months’s checklist featured entries from 17 cities and 12 international locations, with Singapore main with 10 entries, adopted by Hong Kong with 10, and Japan with 7. India proudly secured 4 spots on the distinguished checklist, with Sidecar, Delhi, The Bombay Canteen and The Dwelling Room, Mumbai, and Copitas, Bengaluru, garnering recognition.
Sidecar, Delhi
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The Hindu
Sidecar, Delhi (Rank 18):
South Delhi’s well-liked Sidecar, ranked 18, has earned a spot on the checklist for the fourth consecutive 12 months. Proprietor Yangdup Lama, at present in Hong Kong making ready a brand new menu presentation, says, “It’s an honour and a mirrored image of our crew’s onerous work. This recognition conjures up us to stay focussed on each side of our craft, from presentation to service, meals, and aesthetics. Our patrons love us not only for our drinks however for the general expertise we provide.”
Lama highlights the significance of fixed coaching, studying, and innovation within the trade and emphasises the usage of native substances and acquainted flavours to create a healthful bar expertise. The menu introduced in Hong Kong will quickly be launched at Sidecar in Delhi, he says, including, “Plenty of new issues are arising at Sidecar.”
Yash Bhanage, founder and COO, Starvation Inc. Hospitality that owns The Bombay Canteen, at Asia’s 50 Finest Bars awards ceremony, in Hong Kong
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Particular association
The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai (Rank 35):
The Bombay Canteen, a bar that embraces native flavours, jumped from quantity 76 final 12 months to quantity 35 on the checklist. Underneath the steerage of Prantik Haldar, Head of Beverage Improvements, the bar affords a number of reimagined classics with Indian roots. Every drink pays homage to Mumbai’s vibrant tradition, with design parts corresponding to a pop-up guide showcasing town’s Artwork Deco structure.
Yash Bhanage, founder and COO of Starvation Inc. Hospitality, the guardian firm of The Bombay Canteen, expresses his delight. “This isn’t solely a recognition of our effort within the final 12 months to curate a world-class bar menu however an amazing validation of the creativity and innovation to push the bar programme at The Bombay Canteen since inception in 2015.”
(from left) Savio Fernandes, director of meals and beverage, 4 Seasons, Bengaluru with Sarath Nair, beverage supervisor, Copitas, at Asia’s 50 Finest Bars awards ceremony, in Hong Kong
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Copitas, Bengaluru (Rank 38):
Situated on the twenty first ground of the 4 Seasons Resort, Copitas has earned its place as Bengaluru’s cocktail mecca. Led by Sarath Nair, the bar stands out with its uncomplicated, clear, and scrumptious cocktails. Judges had been impressed by their inexperienced menu, utilising each a part of a plant, corresponding to seeds, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, to craft distinctive cocktails.
Native substances together with peanut brittle (chikki), vettiver (khus), nannari, and betel leaves contribute to their stand-out drinks. Normal Supervisor Reuben Kataria says, “Being recognised feels extra particular additionally as a result of we’re the one lodge bar within the nation featured on the checklist. And we’ve been on the checklist twice and improved our rankings this 12 months.”
The Dwelling Room, Mumbai
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The Dwelling Room, Mumbai (Rank 48):
Masque’s The Dwelling Room climbed from quantity 73 to quantity 48 on the checklist. Nestled on the mezzanine degree of the subtle area in a former cotton mill, this intimate cocktail bar, led by Ankush Gamre, showcases India’s flavours with a deal with innovation and sustainability.
The concise cocktail menu takes friends on a journey by means of India’s distinctive tastes, introduced in up to date kinds utilizing consciously sourced substances. From sea buckthorn to black garlic aged in-house, the drinks replicate Masque’s ethos and requirements.
The presence of 4 Indian bars on Asia’s 50 Finest Bars 2023 checklist demonstrates the outstanding progress and creativity inside the nation’s cocktail scene. These bars have embraced their distinctive identification and flavours, impressing judges and solidifying their place as trailblazers in Asia’s cocktail scene.