Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2025: World’s best bar

Attaboy, New York, US

In this unmarked Lower East Side cocktail den, there are neither reservations nor menus – just expert mixologists crafting bespoke drinks to match your preferences. Attaboy ’s team does take requests, though: for a taste of cocktail history, try the Penicillin, created by co-owner Sam Ross, or the Greenpoint, a modern riff on the classic Manhattan.

Jigger & Pony, Singapore

Consistently ranked among the world’s best bars, Jigger & Pony is clearly doing something right. With its glossy magazine-style menu, plush velvet sofas and snug corners, not to mention the bar’s signature Espresso Martini, this Singapore hotspot strikes the perfect balance of atmosphere, style, and expertly crafted drinks.

Credit: Lauryn Ishak/Getty Images

42 Mayfair, London, UK

There’s no shortage of eye candy at 42 Mayfair , a maximalist Indian cocktail lounge above the Michelin-starred Gymkhana restaurant. Rich tapestries, crystal chandeliers and jungle cat sculptures set the scene for boldly spiced drinks infused with South Asian staples – think coriander seed, curry leaf, ginger, peppercorn and even red ant chutney.

Credit: The Washington Post/Getty Images

Speak Low, Shanghai, China

The brainchild of cocktail master Shingo Gokan, Speak Low hides three distinct bars behind a sliding bookcase in a faux bartending shop. Choose your adventure: classic Prohibition-era cocktails on the lively first floor, inventive Japanese drinks upstairs, or befriend a member to access the exclusive top-floor whiskey lounge. It’s speakeasy perfection, three times over. 

Zest, Seoul, South Korea

At this sleek, sustainably minded cocktail lounge, waste is out and creativity is in. Zest is known for clever, low-impact cocktails made with upcycled ingredients like leftover citrus peels. With a locally sourced menu and stripped-back design, it proves that less waste doesn’t have to mean less flavour – or less fun.