Tales Spirited Awards 2026: Best International Bar Team – APAC Top 10 Honorees

Book Bar Bellamy when you want a flexible Carlton bar-bistro rather than a formal restaurant or high-volume cocktail room. It works well for couples and small groups who want seasonal drinks, food, a sociable neighbourhood feel in one stop; larger groups need more planning because the format becomes more structured.

Prioritise Origin Bar when the brief is a serious hotel-bar drink in Singapore, especially later in the evening when comfort and a strong spirits program matter. Awards from Asia's Best Bars, Top 500 Bars, Pinnacle Guide, Tatler, Tales give it real weight; large groups and view-first plans may be better served elsewhere.

Alice Cheongdam is the Seoul bar to prioritize for a polished Gangnam date night, especially if cocktail credibility matters more than a food-led evening. Its awards record makes it a safer special-occasion pick than a casual neighborhood stop, but plan ahead and go earlier if conversation is the point.

Caretaker's Cottage is the Melbourne CBD bar to prioritise when the night is cocktail-led and likely to run late. Its awards profile makes the booking effort easier to justify, but it is a better fit for small groups and date-night drinking than for loose, food-first plans.

Old Love’s is worth prioritising if rum is the point of the night, not just an after-dinner drink. Expect an intimate basement setting, casual dress, around $40 per person, a drinks program with serious sugarcane-spirit depth, backed by Best International Bar Team – APAC Regional Top 10 Honoree recognition for 2026.

Bar Us is the Bangkok pick for a cocktail-focused date night when the drinks are the main event. Its recent international recognition makes it harder to treat casually, so plan it as an anchor stop rather than a quick walk-in. Skip it for happy-hour hunting or group-heavy plans.

Book BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok when the night calls for a polished, drinks-first experience rather than a casual round. The premium price tier is easier to justify if you value a glamorous room, attentive hospitality, a cocktail menu with a clear Latin American point of view.

Jigger & Pony is worth prioritizing when the brief is a serious Singapore cocktail night with a lively room and strong awards credibility. It is less useful for rooftop views, outdoor space, or an easy last-minute plan, so book early and use it as the anchor rather than a backup stop.

Bar Cham is the Seoul pick for a focused cocktail night in Jongno, especially for two people who care more about drink credibility than a big-room scene. It is a stronger fit for a planned after-dinner stop than a loose group hang, with regional bar recognition giving it a clear quality signal.