Hong Kong’s Bar Leone heading to Shanghai

Hong Kong’s much-loved Bar Leone is packing up its Roman hospitality, football jerseys and aperitivo snacks and heading north – announcing a brand-new Shanghai outpost opening this Autumn.

The multi-award-winning cocktail bar, founded by Justin Shun Wah and Lorenzo Antinori, has built its reputation on ‘Cocktails Popolari’ – or ‘cocktails for the people’ – a simple but stylish approach that’s seen it win fans across Asia. The Shanghai venue will pour the same signature serves and snacks over two floors in the busy Huangpu district.

It’s another bold move for the bar that’s been rewriting the rulebook since it first opened in Hong Kong’s Central in 2023. In just two years, Bar Leone debuted at number one on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, held the top spot again in 2025, and landed at number two on The World’s 50 Best Bars. Not bad for a place where vintage football kits and retro posters line the walls.

Lorenzo Antinori said Shanghai’s nightlife makes the perfect next step for the team. “As Shanghai’s nightlife continues to flourish, I am excited to bring Bar Leone to a city with a vibrant bar scene, where cosmopolitan energy, cutting-edge cocktail culture, and diverse local flavours create the perfect stage for the bar’s signature mix of innovation and Italian flair.”

Expect the new spot to lean into Bar Leone’s Roman roots – think Trastevere-inspired warmth, classic cocktails served with consistency and speed, and that signature blend of Italian charm with just the right amount of cheek.