Hidden behind an unassuming Cantonese shop in Guangzhou’s historic Dongshankou neighbourhood is Hope & Sesame (庙前冰室)—officially named No. 1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and The Best Bar in Mainland China.

Established in 2016 by Bastien Ciocca and Andrew Ho, Hope & Sesame was one of Southern China’s pioneering speakeasies. Behind its discreet entrance lies an intimate cocktail destination where Cantonese heritage meets modern mixology.

The bar is celebrated for its innovative techniques, including rotary distillation, sous-vide infusions, centrifugal clarification and slow cooking. Its cocktails transform familiar Chinese ingredients and nostalgic flavours into imaginative drinking experiences.

Marking its 10th anniversary, Hope & Sesame’s latest menu, “Volume 17: Bittersweet,” explores the Cantonese philosophy of bitterness and sweetness. Inspirations include herbal tea, bitter melon, dried tangerine peel, ginseng, traditional tong sui, seasonal fruits and classic local desserts.

Its No. 1 ranking represents a historic achievement, making Hope & Sesame the first bar from Mainland China to be crowned The Best Bar in Asia.

📍 Address: No. 58 Miaoqian West Street, Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, China  
🕕 Opening hours: Daily, 6:00 PM–2:00 AM  
🚶 Walk-ins: 6:00 PM–1:30 AM, subject to availability  
📱 Reservations: Available through the bar’s official booking mini app  
📸 Instagram: @hopeandsesame

If you are visiting Guangzhou, step through the hidden entrance and discover one of Asia’s most exciting cocktail experiences.