Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Bang in the middle of Itaewon's red-light district, this honky-tonk dive bar is a throwback GI hang-out and something straight out of a movie. The…
Must-see nightlife in Asia
The Bund & People's Square
Set back in People’s Park alongside a pond, Barbarossa is all about escapism. Forget Shanghai: this is Morocco channelled by Hollywood set designers. The…
French Concession
Tiny Café del Volcán offers a refuge from the bustle of Yongkang Rd. The minimalist cafe has just a few wooden box tables sharing the space with the…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Arai-san established Lonely 50 years ago because he wanted his friends to always have a place to go. Some of those friends, like the creator of classic…
Hakone
Sup on a Gora IPA or a Black Belt stout, among other ales from this stylish brewery venue, run by the folk behind Itoh Dining by Nobu. Grill treats…
Matsu
For NT$150, you get not only a coffee but also the chance to explore a 'secret' tunnel, then relax in an artistic mishmash of paintings, fresh flowers,…
Hokkaidō
Filling the halls of a wooden building from 1885 (actually the old Hakodate Quarantine Office) is this magical teahouse overlooking the water. It's lit…
Nanjing
Hermit offers two playfully sophisticated bars in one. Start downstairs at the science-themed beer bar, before heading up the candlelit stairway to an…
Western Taiwan
Stylish, LGBTQ-friendly Fang Kofi comprises an airy, industrial-style cafe connected by a spiral staircase to a shabby-chic 2nd-floor space where the…
Yangon
A pioneer of Yangon's blossoming third-wave coffee-shop scene, Cafe Salween goes all out for hipster status, making drinks in a variety of methods with an…
Malaysia
Coffee making is approached with scientific precision by Cheau See and Chun Hoong, who serve hand-brewed drip coffee from a counter laden with beakers and…
Kowloon
What's that sound? No, it's not the chink of cup and saucer, it's your jaw hitting the marble floor as you gaze, enraptured, at Hong Kong's most fabulous…
Panaji
The decor is a dark cosy English pub, the clientele young and up for a late party, and the novelty is the e-beer system. Each table has its own beer tap…
Pasteur Street Brewing Company
Ho Chi Minh City
Pasteur Street Brewing turns out a fine selection of craft beer. Brews utilise local ingredients including lemongrass, rambutan and jasmine, and up to six…
Shanghai
Originally a modest convenience store opened by a local woman (Mrs Zhang), this 24-hour drinking hole stocks around 200 varieties of craft beer. The…
Jakarta
Hidden in a renovated building near Taman Fatahillah, Acaraki is the coolest cafe in the area. It's decorated with exposed brickwork and an enormous…
Ubud
An idyllic location in the midst of a rice field a short walk from the centre of town makes this a wonderful spot for a drink or simple meal. You'll be…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai's best speciality coffee is served in this tiny Third Wave coffeehouse in atmospheric Chium Village. Single-origin Indian estate coffee is roasted…
Jalan Jaksa Area
Set on the top floor of Kosenda Hotel, this lovely rooftop garden bar manages to be both understated and dramatic. There's a vertical garden, ample tree…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Four hanok were creatively combined to create this chic designer cafe-bar that blends old and new Seoul. Clay-tile walls, Soviet-era propaganda posters,…
West Java
This old favourite has upped sticks and moved further along the beach (alongside a number of other warungs), but the beach-bum vibe and sunset sea views…
Northern Taiwan
This delightfully antique Hakka home has stood here for well over a century, and makes for an atmospheric setting to sample the local staple of léi chá …
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
A must-visit for whisky fans, Zoetrope has over a hundred varieties of Japanese whisky behind its small counter, including many hard-to-find bottles and…
Riau
Escape Pekanbaru's grind and head up to the top of Sumatra's tallest building to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail with 360-degree city views. Its outdoor bar…
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar's best spot for coffee, the stylish American-owned UBean specialises in pour-overs using single-origin beans sourced from farms from Ethiopia…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A California-trained Indian master brewer oversees the craft at this trendy new Andheri West taproom from Pune-based Independence Brewing Company. Nine of…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A highly sociable, down-to-earth local dive done up in a car-mechanic theme, where you can go in your dirty clothes, drink draught beer (₹200 a glass) and…
Haiphong
Picture an open-air German beer hall with a rowdier crowd, and you've got the vibe of this fun venue. Couple the surprisingly tasty draught brews (7000d…
French Concession
From the team behind Sichuan Citizen comes this classy 1920s Prohibition-style cocktail bar in a quiet spot on Wuyuan Rd. Slink into a dark-wood booth…
Semarang
This delightful cafe is one of several popping up in the old city area. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial terrace, with a pink awning and wrought…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
There are just 20 seats at this discrete gem of a bar overlooking the racecourse, which means Japanese owner and bartender Ichiro (it's a one-man…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Having outgrown their Texas-taco-truck roots, these artisanal cocktail makers set up shop in Itaewon. Behind a copper bar, a crew of amiable bartenders…
Lhasa
With authentic espresso coffee and smoothies, free wi-fi and melt-in-your-mouth cheesecakes, plus salads, paninis, pizza and American-style breakfast…
Kuching
This self-styled 'Modern Dayak' bar features a mash-up of modern and indigenous design, and there's occasional live music – including metal and local hip…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Hanging baskets and lush potted plants framing the bar set the leafy, botanical tone for the superior cocktails made by the mixologists at this cocktail…
Jaipur
The latest coffee trends brew away in this showcase of Indian hipsterhood. Single-origin, espresso, French press, AeroPress, V60 pour over – you name it,…
Vientiane
Refurbished shipping containers in front of a spooky abandoned building, riverside breezes, and local rum distilled by a Japanese resident. Laodi is hard…
Banglamphu
A superb modern interpretation of a classic Bangkok teahouse, this tiny, atmospheric shophouse serves delectable blends of premium tea sourced from China…
Vang Vieng
This mega-chill riverside bar is a slice of the old Vang Vieng, before the buggies took over. Order a Beerlao (we don't recommend eating here) and swing…
Hangzhou
The craft-beer craze has certainly hit Hangzhou and the standout place to sample some top-notch craft beers is Midtown Brewery. Housed in the Shangri-la…
