Guangzhou’s celebrated cocktail culture is making its way to Bengaluru this October, as Hope & Sesame, one of Asia’s most acclaimed bars, takes over ZLB23 at The Leela Palace Bengaluru for a one-night-only showcase. Scheduled for Saturday, 31 October 2026, the evening will see bartenders Bastien Ciocca and Geumseong Liu bring the distinctive mixology philosophy of the Chinese speakeasy to one of the city’s most atmospheric cocktail destinations.
Founded in 2016 by Andrew Ho and Bastien Ciocca, Hope & Sesame occupies a place in the evolution of Southern China’s contemporary bar scene. Tucked into Guangzhou’s historic Dongshankou neighbourhood, the speakeasy has built its reputation around inventive interpretations of the cocktail, drawing on local ingredients, seasonal influences and experimental techniques. Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, the bar continues to shape conversations around modern Asian mixology. Its accolades speak to its standing on the international cocktail circuit. A fixture on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for eight consecutive years, Hope & Sesame claimed the No. 1 position in Asia in 2026. The bar was also named Best Bar in Mainland China for four consecutive years, from 2023 to 2026, and made its debut on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2025 at No. 29.
The collaboration finds a fitting setting at ZLB23, the Kyoto-inspired speakeasy concealed behind a discreet entrance in the gardens of The Leela Palace Bengaluru. Known for its considered approach to cocktail craftsmanship and international bar collaborations, ZLB23 has steadily established itself as a destination for discerning drinkers and celebrated names from the global mixology circuit. For one evening, Ciocca and Liu will bring the flavours, techniques and hospitality of Guangzhou to Bengaluru, offering a glimpse into the creative sensibilities that have defined Hope & Sesame over the past decade. It is a meeting of two distinct cocktail cultures, united by a shared appreciation for experimentation, precision and the evolving language of the modern bar.
Images: The Leela Palace Bengaluru
