High above the city that never sleeps, BARSTARS GLOBAL presented by The Orientalist Spirits, took over The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong during World’s 50 Best Bars week, and delivered what many are calling the night of the year.
This wasn’t just another guest shift. It was the one everyone wanted to be at, a collision of talent, energy and charisma from across the globe. BARSTARS GLOBAL is about more than cocktails or technique; it’s about the people, or the stars behind the bar. The personalities who shape scenes, set trends, and bring the world together one drink at a time.
For one unforgettable night, the best in the business shared a single stage, and reminded us all why bars matter: not just for what’s in the glass, but for the stars who make it worth raising.
#BarstarsGlobal #Worlds50BestBars #TheOrientalistSpirit #TasteTheOrient #ExploreHongKong @barstarsglobal@theaubreyhk@mo_hkg
The Orientalist Spirits presented BRIDGING WORLDS during World’s 50 Best Restaurants in Turin — a culinary journey high above the city at Piano35, where continents converged, bold spirits flowed, and creativity took centre stage.
The evening featured an exclusive cross-cultural menu by:
🇳🇴 Chef Mathew Leong (Norway)
🇮🇹 Chef Christian Balzo (Italy)
🇨🇳 Beverage pairing by Lola Lau (China)
With special thanks to our partners:
@piano35torino@coqtailmilano@koppertcress
📸 @k_nrick
#OrientalistSpirits #BridgingWorlds #Piano35 #Worlds50Best #Worlds50BestRestaurants #Worlds50BestBars
Back in Hong Kong for a little soirée at the gorgeous Peridot at The Henderson, followed by an epic threesome with The Orientalist Spirits, Altamura and Argo at the Four Seasons Hong Kong.
SALIRA, Senopati.
I’ve not been back in Jakarta for a while, so this felt like a rather lovely discovery — familiar in spirit, but refreshingly current.
The room is open, breezy, quietly confident. Somewhere you can ease into without much effort, whether for a proper meal or something more incidental.
The menu leans into Indonesian classics with a fuller, more assertive flavour profile. Plates are on the smaller side — which works well given how punchy the flavours are — making it easy to try a wider cross-section of the menu. What we had was thoughtfully executed; bold, but never overworked.
I found myself glancing rather enviously at neighbouring tables — there’s clearly more to explore than two people can reasonably manage in one sitting. Didn’t get to the satay this time either, which feels like unfinished business.
Drinks move comfortably alongside the food, making it just as suited for coffee as it is for a longer evening. A standout was the lovely nutmeg highball.
With thanks to the incomparable Kiki Moka @mokakiki for hosting.
📍 Jl. Senopati, Jakarta
Tried Daun Muda Soulfood by Peresthu (Menteng) in Jakarta today on a friend’s recommendation — and overall, a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
I came in looking forward to their “lamb rib fried rice”, which turned out to be more of a kambing bakar (lamb shank) situation. The flavour was excellent — deeply savoury with a lovely smokiness — but the shank itself was “a touch” tough and slightly dry on this visit. That said, it was redeemed somewhat by the sambal kecap — savoury, gently sweet, with just a hint of spice, as it should be.
The Sop Buntut and Kare Kambing, however, were superb. Both dishes were rich, comforting, and full of depth — easily the highlights of the meal.
The space is a charming, sunlit spot that feels relaxed yet thoughtfully put together. It noticeably filled up before I left, which speaks well of its popularity.
All in all, a positive visit with just a minor misstep on the lamb. I’d happily return — and would order the soups and curry again without hesitation.
SHORTLISTED!
“We’ve not come across anything quite like The Orientalist, Dragon 12 Year Old before and this whisky will be an intriguing purchase for anyone more inclined towards Asian spirits. The Dragon is made from a blend of whiskies from Japan, Taiwan and India. Yes, you read that right, not a thistle or highland cow in sight.
Each has been aged for 12 years before being finished in oloroso sherry casks. The Japanese whisky takes centre stage, making up most of the blend and this bottle comes in at a surprisingly good value price considering the age.”
5 March 2026
The Aubrey • Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park • London
Low light. Full room.
Unrestrained. By a thread.
Something shifted.
London, introduced.
Six legends behind the bar.
Millie Tang (TW/AU) · Holly Graham (JP) · Niks Anuman (TH) · Terry Kim (KR) · Kelly D’Cruz (SG) · Tai Yong (MY)
One on sound.
Norsicaa
No repeats.
No recreations.
You were either there —
or you weren’t.
#orientyourself #tastetheorient #theorientalistspirits #londonafterdark
BREAKING.
BARSTARS GLOBAL returns — bigger than ever.
Presented by The Orientalist Spirits
Amsterdam
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Belly of the Beast × Flying Dutchmen
20 world-class bartenders.
Four continents.
One ignition point.
Asia. Europe. Middle East. The Americas.
If Europe’s 50 Best Bars is the spotlight, this is the firestarter.
One epic night that sets the tone for the entire week.
#barstars #theorientalistspirits #amsterdam #orientyourself #tastetheorient
11 YEARS ON
MORE FIRE
MORE FLAVOUR
The Ultimate Cheeseburger.
Five cheeses engineered for melt, stretch, funk and flow.
GRUYÈRE
DOUBLE CREAM BRIE
GORGONZOLA DOLCE
AMERICAN
MONTEREY JACK
Charred over real fire.
Built for texture.
Built for balance.
Built for those who know.
This is what 11 years of obsession tastes like.
Exclusively at WILD/FIRE.
📸 @k_nrick
#ultimatecheeseburger #wildfireburgers #burgerporn #burgers #cheeseburgers
From Kyoto to Dubai.
Honoured to present Keisuke Yamamoto, co-founder of Bee’s Knees Kyoto — consistently recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars — for a remarkable night at Sushi Samba Dubai with The Orientalist Spirits.
Inventive cocktails.�Impeccable technique.�Unmatched atmosphere.
A true celebration of craft without borders.
#asiancraft #theorientalistspirits #asiabars
