The SG Club ranks 23rd in "Asia's 50 Best Bars"! SG Group achieves a record 50 awards in 50 BEST.

Jul 19, 2024

SG Management Inc. July 18, 2024, 16:17

Through THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS and ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS, SG Group updates the world record for the most awards by a single bar company.

The prestigious "ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS 2024" awards, which recognize the top 50 bars across Asia, were announced on July 16, 2024, during a ceremony in Hong Kong and online. SG Group (SG Management Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo), which operates bars both domestically and internationally, has been ranked for the ninth consecutive year. The group’s total number of awards from THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS and ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS has reached 50, a unique record worldwide.

"The SG Club" (Shibuya, Tokyo) has been selected every year since 2019 and ranked 23rd this year. Additionally, in the list of bars ranked 51st to 100th, announced on July 9, "Sober Company" (Shanghai, China), which reopened on October 31, 2023, was ranked 92nd.

In the WORLD’S / ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS, SG Group's first bar "Speak Low" (Shanghai) was selected in 2016, followed by "Sober Company," "The SG Club," "The Odd Couple," and "El Lequio." They have set numerous unprecedented records, including four bars winning simultaneously and Shingo Gokan receiving individual awards twice. This year, they finally achieved their 50th award, the highest in the world.

The host city for the 9th edition of the event was Hong Kong, continuing from the previous year. The festivities included the Bartenders’ Feast at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong on July 15, the awards ceremony at Rosewood Hong Kong on July 16, and the closing party at Aqua Hutong on July 17. Top bartenders and industry professionals from across Asia gathered to participate in the events. Once again, Hong Kong was enveloped in a festive mood, making for three days that further energized the Asian bar scene.

About ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS

Established in 2016 as the bar counterpart to "ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS," this award comprehensively covers the rapidly developing bar scene in Asia. The award's judging panel consists of over 250 experts, including renowned bartenders, cocktail specialists, writers, and educators. They rank the bars they believe are the best in Asia based on their visits during the judging period.

The judges explore a diverse range of bars across East and South Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and India. This diversity ensures that the awards reflect the wide-ranging drink culture across Asia.

For more information, visit ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS.

The SG Club

The SG Club spans three floors: "Guzzle" on the ground floor for casual cocktail enjoyment, "Sip" on the basement level for a leisurely tasting experience, and the members-only lounge "Savor" on the second floor for relaxing with cigar and cocktail pairings. Inspired by the story of the Japanese delegation sent to the U.S. in 1860 by the shogunate, the bar features an interior design that fuses Edo and New York styles and a cocktail menu based on the delegation's journey.

(23rd in ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS 2024 / 10th in THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS 2020)

Address: Toyosan Building, 1-7-8 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_sg_club/

Left: 1F "Guzzle" | Center: B1F "Sip" | Right: 2F "Savor"

Shingo Gokan

Representative of SG Group and one of the most renowned bartenders in the world today.

Gokan began his career as a bartender in 2001. After moving to the U.S. alone in 2006, he honed his skills at prestigious bars in New York. In 2012, he represented the United States at the world's largest cocktail competition, Bacardi Legacy, and won the global championship. In 2014, he opened Speak Low in Shanghai. Since then, he has launched several new concept bars and currently operates nine establishments domestically and internationally. SG Group has received the most awards globally in the World's / Asia's 50 Best Bars, totaling 50.

In 2017, he was awarded "International Bartender of the Year" at Tales of the Cocktail. At Asia’s 50 Best Bars, he received the "Altos Bartenders’ Bartender" award in 2019 and the "Roku Industry Icon Award" in 2021, given to the person who best represents the bar industry that year. Gokan is currently active in Tokyo, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Okinawa.

SG Group

A bar company led by founder Shingo Gokan. The group features many accomplished bartenders who have won awards in international and domestic competitions. SG Group develops and operates innovative bars that transcend traditional boundaries, both in Japan and abroad. They hold the record for the most awards in The World’s 50 Best Bars.