By Natalie White

Manhattan Bar located in the Regent Hotel in  Singapore has bagged Asia's Best Bar for 2018, repeating its achievement from last year.

The Asian edition of the World's 50 Best Bars, organized by William Reed Business Media, is in its third year, with this year's edition the first time an awards ceremony was held. The inaugural proceedings took place at the Capitol Theatre.

Taipei's Indulge Experimental Bistro climbed up to No. 2, whilst Speak Low in Shanghai sits at No. 3 -- retaining its spot as best bar in China for the third year in a row.

Atlas in Singapore jumped up eight spots to No. 4, and The Old Man in Hong Kong, a tribute to Ernest Hemingway, made its debut at No. 5 -- making it this year's Highest New Entry award.

This year also includes eight new entries. These include the aforementioned The Old Man (No. 5), Smalls in Bangkok (No.29), Gen Yamamoto in Tokyo (No. 34), Junglebird in Kuala Lumpur (No. 38), Mixology Salon (No.40), Coley in Kuala Lumpur (No. 46), The Ritz Carlton Bar & Lounge in Macau (No. 48), and Ku Bar in Bangkok (No.49).

For 2018, Singapore and China are tied at a high of 12 bars each on the list.

Special Awards were given to Rabbit Hole in Bangkok, with the One To Watch award, explained as "a rising star bar selected by the organizers as having potential to break into the list in the future," and to Native's head bartender Vijay Mudaliar in Singapore with the Bartenders' Bartender award, for his impact and contribution to the sector over the previous year.

Asia's 50 Best Bars for 2018

1. Manhattan, Singapore
2. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
3. Speak Low, Shanghai
4. Atlas, Singapore
5. The Old Man, Hong Kong
6. High Five, Tokyo
7. Tippling Club, Singapore
8. Native, Singapore
9. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
10. Lobster Bar & Grill, Hong Kong
11. Stockton, Hong Kong
12. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
13. Backstage, Bangkok
14. Sober Company, Shanghai
15. Quinary, Hong Kong
16. Trench, Tokyo
17. Le Chamber, Seoul
18. Zuma, Hong Kong
19. Operation Dagger, Singapore
20. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
21. Charles H, Seoul
22. Gibson, Singapore
23. Employees Only, Singapore
24. 8 ½ Otto E Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
25. The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, Manila
26. Alice Cheongdam, Seoul
27. Vesper, Bangkok
28. Union Trading Company, Shanghai
29. Smalls, Bangkok
30. Janes & Hooch, Beijing
31. The Pontiac, Hong Kong
32. D.Bespoke, Singapore
33. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
34. Gen Yamamoto, Tokyo
35. TCRC, Tainan
36. Potato Head Beach Club, Bali
37. Bar Orchard Ginza, Tokyo
38. Junglebird, Kuala Lumpur
39. Loewy, Jakarta
40. Mixology Salon, Tokyo
41. Union Brasserie Bakery & Bar, Jakarta
42. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
43. Star Bar, Tokyo
44. Teens of Thailand, Bangkok
45. The Lamp Bar, Nara
46. Coley, Kuala Lumpur
47. Keepers, Seoul
48. The Ritz Carlton Bar & Lounge, Macau
49. Ku Bar, Bangkok
50. The Other Room, Singapore