The Ultimate Guide to 50 Best Bars 2025: 9 Epic Guest Shifts in Hong Kong

Your complete schedule for a week of bar takeovers from Asia's most acclaimed and award-winning bars at Singular Concepts for 50 best bars guest shifts Hong Kong!

The energy in Hong Kong is electric as the city gears up to host the prestigious Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 awards. As the continent's best and brightest descend upon the city, we're transforming the week into a massive celebration of community, cocktails, and craftsmanship. We believe that hospitality is about family, so we're throwing open the doors at five of our award-winning Hong Kong bars to welcome some of our best friends from across Asia for a series of unforgettable guest shifts.

From July 12th to July 16th, get ready for an unparalleled lineup of bar takeovers at Barcode, The Daily Tot, Ella at The Trilogy, Kinsman, and Tell Camellia. Whether you're looking for the next big thing or a taste from an established icon, this is your ultimate guide to the best 50 Best Bars guest shifts in Hong Kong.

The Full Hong Kong Guest Shift Schedule: Award-Winning Bars, One Unforgettable Week

Plan your week with our day-by-day guide to these exclusive guest bartender events for 50 best bars guest shifts Hong Kong.

Tuesday, July 12th: Goa Comes to Central

• Venue: Barcode

• Visiting Bar: Hideaway Bar (Goa, India)

• The Vibe: We're kicking things off as Goa's best-kept secret comes to our own hideaway in Central. Discover the vibrant flavours of India's coast in this exclusive Hong Kong guest shift.

• Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Wednesday, July 13th: A Tale of Two Cities

• Venue: The Daily Tot

• Visiting Bar: Lavantha (Kuala Lumpur)

• The Vibe: From Jon Lee, the visionary co-founder of Penrose (Asia's 50 Best Bar #8 2024), comes the much-anticipated Lavantha. Experience their rich, layered cocktails for one night only at our rum sanctuary.

• Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  
  

• Venue: Barcode

• Visiting Bar: Hats Bar (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• The Vibe: Hats off to our friends from Jakarta! Tip your cap to an evening of stylish cocktails and great times as they take over our cafe-by-day, speakeasy-by-night.

• Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Thursday, July 14th: The Best of Japan and Singapore

• Venue: Kinsman

• Event: Kansai Takeover!

• The Vibe: A powerhouse double bill of Japanese cocktail mastery.

  • 7 PM - 9 PM: Lamp Bar (Nara, #23 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2023), led by former world's best bartender Michito Kaneko.

  • 9 PM - 11 PM: Bee's Knees (Kyoto, #75 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024), bringing their playful prohibition-era hospitality.

• Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• Venue: Ella at The Trilogy

• Visiting Bar: Baia (Singapore)

• The Vibe: Adonis E. Reyes is bringing the magic of Baia’s gorgeous rooftop bar to our soulful jazz lounge. This is the perfect match for lovers of delicious cocktails and stunning vibes.

• Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday, July 16th: The Grand Finale

• Venue: Tell Camellia

• Visiting Bar: Backdoor Bodega (Penang, Malaysia, #52 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024)

• The Vibe: Find the backdoor entrance to a world of flavour. The best of Penang's award-winning bar scene meets the tea-infused cocktails of our subterranean hangout.

• Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  
  

• Venue: Barcode

• Visiting Bar: Bar Bud (Shanghai, China)

• The Vibe: Come meet your new best bud from Shanghai! Experience the Korean-inspired creativity of Seoulite “Bud” and his dog “Weiser” at this can't-miss event.

• Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

  
  

• Venue: Kinsman

• Visiting Bar: Stay Gold Flamingo (Singapore, #63 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024)

• The Vibe: Two of Singapore's top talents, Jerrod Khoo and Cyrus Wang, are bringing their high-energy cocktails and incredible vibes to our Cantonese-inspired bar, Kinsman.

• Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Singular on Tour: Catch Our Crew in Macau!

While we’re hosting these incredible guest shifts in Hong Kong, our own award-winning bartenders are representing the family in Macau for the 50 Best Bars celebrations.

• July 11: Gagan Gurung and the Tell Camellia team take over the Wing Lei Bar at Wynn Palace (8:00 PM onwards).

• July 13: Gavin Yeung of Kinsman serves up Cantonese greatness at Drunken Fish, Wynn Macau (9:00 PM onwards).

• July 15: Makail Gurung, the rum godfather from The Daily Tot, will be at the Matusalem Booth during the 50 Best Awards (6:00 PM onwards).

  
  

As our CEO, David Sit, says, "This week is like a massive family reunion for us. Forget 'guest shifts'; we're just having friends over to share some drinks and stories. We're so excited to have these amazing people in our spaces... It’s what our community is all about."

We can't wait to welcome you to our venues to share a drink and celebrate the amazing talent that makes our industry so special. See you at the bar!