THE HIDDEN BAR PUTTING
MAINLAND CHINA ON THE
GLOBAL COCKTAIL MAP
HOPE & SESAME, GUANGZHOU
From Features Desk
Founded in 2016, Hope & Sesame has
quietly been redefining cocktail culture in
southern China. Located in a traditional
Cantonese café in the Dongshankou
neighbourhood of Guangzhou, the bar’s
unassuming entrance belies what lies within:
a temple of mixology, innovation and Asian
hospitality. From the moment one steps
through the discreet refrigerator-door
speakeasy style facade, the surroundings
speak of craftsmanship, subtle luxury and a
focus on flavour that transcends the ordinary.
Technique Meets Tradition
What sets Hope & Sesame apart is its fearless blending of modern technique with regional ingredients and warm hospitality. Under the leadership of co-founders Andrew Ho and Bastien Ciocca, the bar has become a testing ground for cocktails that combine rotary distillation, sous-vide infusions, centrifugal clarification, and other advanced methods, while still delivering drinks that feel inviting instead of overly avant-garde. Local flavour is never an afterthought; expect creative riffs on Chinese ingredients like roasted sweet potato, clarified coconut milk, pandan, and gochujang, woven into a drink menu that evolves every few months. Key to the experience is that the technique supports flavour rather than overshadowing it.
What sets Hope & Sesame apart is its fearless blending of modern technique with regional ingredients and warm hospitality. Under the leadership of co-founders Andrew Ho and Bastien Ciocca, the bar has become a testing ground for cocktails that combine rotary distillation, sous-vide infusions, centrifugal clarification, and other advanced methods, while still delivering drinks that feel inviting instead of overly avant-garde. Local flavour is never an afterthought; expect creative riffs on Chinese ingredients like roasted sweet potato, clarified coconut milk, pandan, and gochujang, woven into a drink menu that evolves every few months. Key to the experience is that the technique supports flavour rather than overshadowing it.
The ambience also plays a powerful role in
the bar’s character. With exposed brick,
vintage timber panelling, gentle lighting and
jazz-inflected nights, Hope & Sesame invites
you to linger, to explore rather than rush.
There is a comfortable sophistication;
old-world bones beneath modern finesse.
Between the cocktails and the atmosphere, it
has established a loyal following in China and
gradually attracted global attention.
Recognition on the World Stage
Which brings us to its recent landmark achievement: Hope & Sesame has been ranked No. 29 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list. This milestone marks the bar’s arrival on the global stage, not just as a regional favourite but as a serious contender among the best bars in the world. The ranking is all the more significant because it recognises a mainland-China cocktail bar in a list historically dominated by Western venues and major Asian hubs like Hong Kong or Tokyo. In parallel, the bar also ranks No. 7 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list, which named it ‘The Best Bar in Mainland China’.
Which brings us to its recent landmark achievement: Hope & Sesame has been ranked No. 29 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list. This milestone marks the bar’s arrival on the global stage, not just as a regional favourite but as a serious contender among the best bars in the world. The ranking is all the more significant because it recognises a mainland-China cocktail bar in a list historically dominated by Western venues and major Asian hubs like Hong Kong or Tokyo. In parallel, the bar also ranks No. 7 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list, which named it ‘The Best Bar in Mainland China’.
For customers and cocktail enthusiasts, this
means visiting Hope & Sesame is more than
just ordering a drink; it’s stepping into a bar at
the cutting-edge of the craft. One will find
menus that shift thematically, the latest being
‘To the Flavours’, a focus on small-batch
distillations, local sourcing and a willingness
to surprise. But all of this is delivered with
warmth and accessibility. The team values
hospitality highly: staff are knowledgeable,
attentive and ground the experience in
genuine connection rather than gimmick.
Beacon for Chinese Cocktail Culture
Looking ahead, the bar’s inclusion on the global list raises interesting questions about Guangzhou’s growing role in the world of cocktails and the evolution of Chinese F&B culture. Hope & Sesame has become a flag-bearer for the region, showing that excellence in mixology is not confined to long-established global cities. With its global recognition, the bar continues to inspire younger talent, deepen local ingredient exploration, and expand the notion of what a world-class cocktail bar can be in China.
Looking ahead, the bar’s inclusion on the global list raises interesting questions about Guangzhou’s growing role in the world of cocktails and the evolution of Chinese F&B culture. Hope & Sesame has become a flag-bearer for the region, showing that excellence in mixology is not confined to long-established global cities. With its global recognition, the bar continues to inspire younger talent, deepen local ingredient exploration, and expand the notion of what a world-class cocktail bar can be in China.
In the end, it is a story about the craft and the
way it brings together tradition and
innovation into a glass. With its global
recognition, Hope & Sesame continues to
open new doors, not just for Guangzhou, but
for the future of Chinese cocktail culture.