Bar Leone joins the world’s most elite bars, placing an incredible No. 2 at the World Best Bars Awards in Madrid, Spain. The bar also took home the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award and the trophy for The Best Bar in Asia 2024, sponsored by Tia Maria. This recognition marks Bar Leone’s debut on the global bar scene after winning a trio of awards at Asia’s 50 Best Bars in July 2024.

Lorenzo Antinori reflects on the accolades before the year ends: “What an incredible achievement to be recognised as No.2 at the World’s 50 Best Bars! It is truly surreal and an achievement I have only dreamt about. I’m incredibly proud of the team and this remarkable accomplishment and grateful to our guests for their support. This recognition inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and elevating the bar experience for everyone who walks through our doors.”

The World’s 50 Best Bars Awards, held annually, celebrates the finest bars from around the globe, shining a spotlight on those that push the boundaries in terms of creativity and service. The recognition of Bar Leone as the Highest New Entry breaks records in the history of the World Best Bars and reflects its exceptional debut in the industry.

Bar Leone is Lorenzo’s first business venture, opened in June 2023. It has quickly become one of Hong Kong's most popular bars, featuring a neighbourhood vibe and a nod to his Roman heritage. The character of Bar Leone is inspired by the spirit of traditional Roman bars that form the cornerstone of the city’s 21 neighbourhoods. Leone—the strong, sovereign lion—was Rome's symbol until the Renaissance and remains the symbol of Trastevere today.

Bar Leone’s beverage program focuses on reviving classic cocktails with a ‘low-intervention’ approach, emphasising craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and seasonality. There’s no distillation or machinery involved; we take a step back from current trends and proudly keep it simple, allowing guests to fully appreciate the ingredients that go into each cocktail without the need for gimmicks. Our hope is that guests will come back for the drinks but stay for the great service and the neighbourhood vibe we’ve created.