Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2024: Asia’s top young bartender

Welcome to the Cathay Members’ Choice Awards: our flagship awards which celebrate everything that makes the world so amazing – as voted for by you, our global community of members. Discover the winner that captured your hearts – and your votes – as well as the contenders that made it to the shortlist. 

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Winner: Evan Mak, Argo, Hong Kong SAR

After refining his skills at The Upper House, Evan Mak joined Argo at the Four Seasons Hong Kong in 2021 and became a senior bartender just two years later. Mak has diverse expertise, armed with a deep knowledge of whisky and rum, but his greatest strength is his imagination. His penchant for turning local ingredients like Lantau wormwood into innovative drinks helped Argo secure No. 34 on the World’s Best Bars list.

Ezra Star, Mostly Harmless, Hong Kong SAR

A biochemist turned bar luminary, Ezra Star opened Mostly Harmless in Hong Kong in 2022. Guided by Japanese kaiseki principles, Star serves four “farm-to-glass” cocktails that rotate almost daily.

Sweet, savoury, funky – the flavours are unexpected, exciting and one-of-a-kind. It’s little wonder her latest project has been a smash hit, ranking No. 33 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2023.

Ivin Hui, Bar De Luxe, Hong Kong SAR

A protégé of mixology legend Hidetsugu Ueno, founder of Tokyo’s Bar High Five, Ivin Hui is a star in the making. He got his start at cosy Butler cocktail bar in Tsim Sha Tsui, then trained extensively under Ueno in Tokyo before being tapped to head up Ginza-inspired cocktail bar Bar De Luxe in Central.  Whether folding Japanese ingredients like shikuwasa (calamansi) and sweet potato into his meticulous drinks or interacting with guests, Hui holds himself to the highest standards. 

Attapon De-Silva, Teens of Thailand, Bangkok

One of Bangkok’s most influential bartenders, Attapon De-Silva established his credentials at the award-winning Q&A Bar, which he led for seven years. Now bar director of the Teens of Thailand group, he oversees five of Bangkok’s most progressive, envelope-pushing cocktail bars – including Teens of Thailand, Asia Today and recently opened G.O.D. – and continues to build on Bangkok’s reputation as one of Asia’s hottest nightlife destinations.

Oh Chong Hau, The Nest Cocktail Bar, Penang

When he opened The Nest in 2022, Oh Chong Hau added more momentum to Penang’s evolving nightlife scene. Oh’s Georgetown-based bar explores seasonal and local flavours in a lovingly refurbished heritage building. Mango sticky rice shots, a mala-infused Bloody Mary made with Sichuan peppercorns, or highballs with pandan and sesame – Oh and his team deliver exquisite Asia-inspired craft cocktails with authentic personalised service.