Multi-award-winning Hong Kong cocktail bar Bar Leone has announced it will open a second venue in Shanghai, China this autumn. Co-founders Justin Shun Wah and Lorenzo Antinori will bring their celebrated philosophy of Cocktail Popolari — “cocktails for the people” — to the city’s buzzing Huangpu District, introducing their signature drinks, aperitivo-style service, and bar snacks across two floors of Roman-inspired hospitality.
From Hong Kong to Shanghai: A Rising Force in Cocktail Culture
Since opening in Hong Kong’s Central district in 2023, Bar Leone has become one of the most influential bars in Asia. In 2024, it made history as the first bar ever to debut at No.1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, a title it retained in 2025, while also placing No.2 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list. These accolades cemented its reputation not just as a neighborhood favorite but as a global leader in mixology.
The Shanghai expansion represents the next chapter in Bar Leone’s meteoric rise. “Bar Leone was created with the idea of bringing Italian warmth and simplicity to cocktail culture,” says Antinori. “We are thrilled to share that same philosophy with Shanghai, a city whose energy and sophistication make it one of the most exciting cocktail capitals in the world.”
The Ethos of Cocktail Popolari
Bar Leone’s concept is rooted in Cocktail Popolari, a philosophy inspired by the social and democratic nature of Italian drinking culture. At its core, it is about stripping cocktails down to their essentials: well-balanced classics served with consistency, speed, and hospitality. Guests are welcomed into an environment that feels lived-in and authentic — vintage football jerseys, retro posters, and warm Roman aesthetics that turn the space into something between a trattoria and a corner bar in Trastevere.
The drinks list favors timelessness over trend, featuring perfected versions of Negronis, Spritzes, and Martinis, all served with the unpretentious charm that has made Bar Leone a household name among cocktail lovers. Aperitivo-style snacks complete the picture, reinforcing the bar’s ethos of quality without pretense.
Shanghai’s Flourishing Nightlife
For Antinori and Shun Wah, Shanghai felt like a natural choice for Bar Leone’s second home. The city’s bar scene has evolved into one of the most dynamic in Asia, where traditional Chinese ingredients meet cutting-edge techniques, and where cocktail culture is no longer a niche interest but a full-fledged part of urban life.
“Shanghai is at a crossroads of tradition and modernity,” Antinori adds. “It’s a place where we can celebrate the spirit of Cocktail Popolari while embracing the diversity and creativity of local culture. The goal is to create something that feels both familiar and entirely new.”
With its Shanghai launch, Bar Leone promises to be more than an import from Hong Kong. It aims to become a part of Shanghai’s own cocktail narrative — a place where Italian flair, Roman hospitality, and local energy converge in a setting built for the people.
For more information, head over to the bar’s official Instagram.
