HOPE & SESAME

Written By Singapore Cocktail Crossover

Hope & Sesame

Hope & Sesame, also known as 庙前冰室, opened in March 2016 as the first speakeasy bar in Southern China. Located in Guangzhou’s historic Dongshankou district, it was founded by Andrew Ho and Bastien Ciocca. The bar is known for its warm hospitality and cocktail innovation, and it has been driven by a mission to explore new frontiers in collaborations, build a vibrant cocktail community, and pioneer trend-setting creations—consistently demonstrating the infinite creativity at its core. 

Since its opening, Hope & Sesame has received numerous awards. It has excelled on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 7 consecutive years since 2019 and climbed to the 7th in 2025, being the best bar in Mainland China from 2023 to 2025. In the same year, the bar made its debut on The World’s 50 Best Bars, ranked No. 29.

On the international stage, the bar has also earned significant recognition. It received the "Philanthropy Award" and was shortlisted in Top 10 of Asia-Pacific in Tales of the Cocktail's Spirited Awards. In 2024, it was further recognized with Top 10 nominations for "Best International Bar Team" and "Best International Cocktail Bar" in Asia-Pacific. It also earned acclaim in Top 10 "World’s Best Cocktail Menu" and "World’s Best Bar Team." In 2024 to 2025, Hope & Sesame was honoured to be included in Tatler Best Asia - 100 Best Bars List. 

COCKTAILS X LIFESTYLE FEATURE

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Bartenders

Andrew Ho

Andrew co-founded Guangzhou's first speakeasy bar Hope & Sesame in 2016. Since 2019, Hope & Sesame has excelled on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 7 consecutive years, ranked #7 in Asia and #29 in the world in 2025, being the Best Bar in Mainland China from 2023 to 2025. In recognition of his personal contributions to the industry, Andrew received the ALTOS Bartenders' Bartender Award in 2025. Beyond his own venues, he has led consulting projects with hospitality giants such as Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Notably, MO Bar in Shenzhen — one of his consultancy — ranked #21 on Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2025.

Andrew has hosted guest shifts in over 40 cities worldwide. In recent years, he launched Bar SanYou, Hope & Sesame Shenzhen, and DSK Cocktail Club — continue to push boundaries and reshape the landscape of hospitality and cocktail culture.

Co-founder of:

  • Hope & Sesame

  • Bar SanYou

  • DSK Cocktail Club

  • Spirits Architects

李焯彬 Kimi LI

吧台主管 Bar Supervisor

广州庙前冰室

Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou

hope & sesame

Singapore Cocktail Crossover
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