Antonio Lai : Asia’s leading lights in the bar industry
- Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 “Heering Legend of The List”
- Co-owner of Quinary, The Opposites, Draft Land HK
- Beverage Director of VEA Restaurant HK
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Antonio Lai is recognised as one of Asia’s leading lights in the bar industry. With over 20 years of experience, the decorated mixologist has revolutionised the cocktail scene and pioneered the comprehensive Multisensory Mixology (MM) concept in Hong Kong – a drinking experience that engages all five senses. In 2012, Antonio started his own bar business with the opening of Quinary (2012, www.quinary.hk ) the group’s award-winning flagship and the city’s first multisensory cocktail bar, followed by Ori-Gin (2013) the fi rst bar to specialise in gin, The Envoy (2014) well-loved for its breezy terrace and tea-focused cocktails, VEA Restaurant (2015, www.vea.hk ) a Chinese x French fine dining destination where he takes charge of the cocktail pairing experience, Draft Land HK (2019, www.draftland.tw/hk ) in partnership with Taiwanese drink maestro Angus Zou that serves Cocktails On Tap and made an expansion to three locations in Hong Kong in 2014, and CHAKO (2022, www.cantocans.com ), the canned sparkling tea cocktail project with Alex Ko, striving to make good quality cocktails more accessible. In 2024, together with Diageo World Class Hong Kong champion Samuel Kwok, opened The Opposites (2024, www.theopposites.hk) a bar that showcases two contrasting approaches of mixology, yet creates unity with the opposites. While early ventures explored sensory boundaries, Antonio’s style now reflects an extra mature artistic sensibility with subtly sophisticated touches.
It is difficult to keep up with Antonio’s ceaselessly imaginative mind. On any given day, you might spot him zipping between his bars in Central Hong Kong or jetting off as a guest mixologist on the other side of the world. Try to catch him if you can.
Personal Achievements
1. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 “Heering Legend of The List”
2. Diageo Reserve World Class 2015 Global Finals; Hong Kong & Macau Champion &
3. Best Bartender of The Year
4. Bols Around The World Bartending Championship 2014, Amsterdam – 1st Runner-up Grand Final and quoted as the “Best Tasting Cocktail” by the jury panel; Regional Champion
5. Bols Around The World Bartending Championship 2013 – National Champion
6. G’Vine Gin Connoisseur Program Global Finalist 2013
7. The Foodie Folks Award, Most Lethal Mixologist (Editor’s Choice) 2013 – Antonio Lai of Quinary
8. The Foodie Forks Awards 2024 – Bartender of the Year
9. Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012 – “Addicted to Multisensory Mixology” by Antonio Lai
10. Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2011 – “Multisensory Mixology, FINDS” by Antonio Lai
11. International Bartender Association World Competition, Warsaw 2011 – Silver Medal
12. De Kuyper Cocktail Competition by HKBA, Hong Kong – Champion 2011
13. Ketel One Global Ritual Competition 2010 – Hong Kong Region Champion & World Final Champion
14. China Hotelex Bartenders Competition Creative Classic, Shanghai – Champion 2010
Quinary
1. World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 – No. 56
2. World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 – No. 50
3. World’s 50 Best Bars 2017 – No. 40
4. World’s 50 Best Bars 2016 – No. 41
5. World’s 50 Best Bars 2015 – No. 39
6. World’s 50 Best Bars 2014 – No. 42
7. World’s 50 Best Bars 2013 – No. 38
8. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 – No. 26
9. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 – No. 31
10. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 – No. 16
11. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 – No. 25; “Legend of The List” Award
12. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 – No. 16
13. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019 – No. 10
14. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018 – No. 15
15. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2017 – No. 7
16. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2016 – No. 6
17. SCMP “100 Top Tables” 2024
18. Tatler Best 100 Bars in Asia 2024
19. The Foodie Forks Awards 2024 – Bartender of the Year
20. Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards 2024 – Timeless Bar Award
The Opposites
1. Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, 51-100 list – No. 50
