Hot on the heels of an impressive triumph at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony earlier last month, where Bar Leone was once again crowned number one bar in Asia – holding its enviable position at the top of the list for the second year running – co-founder Lorenzo Antinori has yet another shiny accolade to add to his growing collection.
At the 19th annual Spirited Awards held in New Orleans on July 24, and hosted by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF), Hong Kong’s Bar Leone was named the Best International Cocktail Bar of 2025. Not one to do things by halves, mixologist extraordinaire Antinori made the occasion a double victory by also securing the International Bartender of the Year award, cementing Bar Leone’s already mighty reputation in the competitive drinks industry.
Building on the 2025 theme of the Tales of the Cocktail conference, ‘Evolve’, the Spirited Awards recognises game changers who pioneer innovation, transformation, and evolution in the cocktail community through remarkable creativity and bold vision.
Bar Leone’s continued success on a global stage further elevates Hong Kong’s prestigious position in the world of mixology, firmly placing the city as a leading player in the international spirits and hospitality scene. From Bar Leone debuting at a coveted number two spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 rankings, to unveiling a dynamic new concept with the Cuban-inspired Montana, Antinori has plenty more surprises and ambitions up his sleeves. We’ll raise a glass – or many – to that!
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox
Recommended reading:
Typhoon Podul brings T1 signal by August 13, with heavy rain again this week
The most interesting things to do in Hong Kong this week (August 11-17)
Hong Kong is the fourth richest territory in the world by median wealth