Secret to the World’s top bar? Lorenzo Antinori’s humble “cocktails for the people” philosophy. At No 11-15 Bridges Street in Sheung Wan stands a warm-brown exterior, low-profile bar, as crowds begin gathering and peeking into the arched doorway on a typical weekday, even before its opening.

This is Bar Leone, the unassuming neighborhood spot that, in just over two years since its June 2023 debut, was crowned the World’s best bar last year – the first Asian venue ever to claim the top spot. The bar also debuted at No 1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2024 and retained that title in 2025.

Built on the philosophy of “cocktails for the people,” the bar pays tribute to the neighborhood bar culture of Rome with high-quality classic drinks, while all recipes and methods are shared openly to ensure accessibility for everyone.

“I think it was the right time for me to test myself and step out of my comfort zone,” said Lorenzo Antinori, the 37-year-old Roman co-founder of Bar Leone, recalling his reason for starting this business during the pandemic. 

Born and raised in Rome, Antinori moved to London in 2010 to join The American Bar at The Savoy. He then led Charles H under Four Seasons Hotel Seoul to help it earn acclaim as the Best Bar in Korea in 2019, followed by relocating to Hong Kong by the management in the same year. 

It was then that Antinori met the other co-founder of Bar Leone, Justin Shun Wah, who handles operations and the business side while Antinori fronts the creative vision. Shun Wah worked in the import distribution of alcohol in Hong Kong as his daytime job, which led to his introduction to Antinori as a customer at bars within the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong through a mutual friend.

Their partnership then clicked. During the planning of the bar, the duo explored several concepts before shortlisting to a few they felt deeply connected to.

“Both Justin and I love the idea of a bar that gathers the community together and that caters to the community,” Antinori explained of the championed chill neighborhood atmosphere at Bar Leone. At its core is simplicity, drawn from Antinori’s upbringing in Rome, where people revel in the uncomplicated pleasures of food and drink. 

The process from brainstorming to execution took more than a year, while the choice of the bar’s location was initially considered “crazy,” as most bars are gathered on crowded Hollywood Road, Staunton Street, Wyndham Street, and Pottinger Street. However, Antinori said the team chose to take over the space located on Bridges Street, formerly the restaurant Oolaa, to prioritize space and comfort over the cramped venues in those busier areas. “This is actually one of the things we’re most proud of, managing to inject new life into the street,” he said.

With the global accolade, Antinori believes Hong Kong remains one of the top destinations worldwide to open a bar. “It’s still regarded as one of the capitals for food and beverage,” he noted, highlighting the city’s cultural melting pot and post-pandemic influx of travelers fueling a dynamic scene.

“There’s always that saying, which used to refer to New York, ‘if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.’ I think it’s right to somehow apply that to Hong Kong,” Shun Wah added.

Bar Leone replicates ‘cocktails for people’ success in Shanghai

Hong Kong is not the only playground for Antinori and Shun Wah. Tucked into one of Shanghai’s trendiest districts, at 527 Fuxing Zhong Road in Huangpu, Bar Leone Shanghai opened its doors on November 9 last year. 

Antinori said the new bar’s backbone is Bar Leone Hong Kong, as about 90 percent of the menu remains the same, ensuring the same high quality and welcoming experience, while minor adjustments are included.

As early as 2024, the Bar Leone team began exploring other markets, including Jakarta, Bangkok, the Middle East, and even in the United States. Ultimately, the opportunity to land in Shanghai arose. Antinori explained that one reason for choosing Shanghai was its logistical advantages over more distant overseas locations, while the deep cultural connection between Hong Kong and the mainland was also a favorable factor. Antinori and Shun Wah also fell in love with the city and believed the concept of Bar Leone would be well digested by its highly internationalized audience.

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On the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, the topic “Bar Leone Shanghai” has gained over 802,900 views with more than 4,600 related notes.

Bar-hopping enthusiasts even wait one or two hours in line before the bar opens its doors. “Just seeing how people have reacted to the drinks during our opening has been quite positive for us, like seeing that energy again,” Shun Wah said.

The Shanghai location also expanded further in mid-December, opening its second floor with a dedicated section featuring seasonal drinks that highlight ingredients sourced from China. The initial lineup includes three cocktails – a Manhattan, a Martini, and an Old Fashioned – that have been infused for six months with fresh black truffles from Yunnan.

“We’re always trying to find ways to make sure we cater to everybody that has a good opportunity to come in,” Shun Wah said.

Beyond Bar Leone, several other Hong Kong bars have established a presence in Shanghai, including the sustainable standout Penicillin and COA.

Award-winning F&B scene raises the bar in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s food and beverage scene has dominated global F&B rankings in Asia and around the globe, with strong testimonials. Before Bar Leone rose to fame, multiple Hong Kong bars had been favored on the World’s and Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists. Mexican-inspired craft cocktail bar COA has been awarded the coveted No 1 position in Asia’s 50 Best Bars three times from 2021 to 2023, while The Old Man also claimed this honor back in 2019.

Yet beneath the glamor lie challenges, particularly expensive rents and –  what Antinori believes is a complex issue – the lack of manpower in the industry. He points out that fewer young professionals are entering hospitality due to its long-standing demanding hours and culture, and that high staff turnover impacts service quality, consistency, and operational costs.

As an influential figure in the business, Bar Leone aims to lead by example, prioritizing work-life balance and employee well-being to create a sustainable environment.​ “It’s always about being present, giving clear guidelines and goals, while planning a future path with them,” Antinori said.

A measure to tackle these challenges also lies in attracting more young overseas talents to Hong Kong’s F&B industry, which aligns with the city’s effort to establish itself as a global talent hub. Antinori said that easing visa policies for overseas talent could bring fresh energy to the industry. 

Looking ahead to 2026, Antinori and Shun Wah will continue to focus on perfecting Bar Leone’s details, while revealing that major updates will potentially be announced around the first or second quarter. 

Shun Wah reflected that after winning Asia’s top title for the first time, he reminded the team that the honor did not mean there was nothing left to perfect. “We’re always working on these things, improving certain things, touching up. It’s important to sort of keep those details up to date.”