The Bay Area Beyond Wonderland lineup has been released for the single day show on September 29, 2012. Check it out below. Tickets: This show is 18+ and costs $79 plus fees. The venue is the O.CO Colisuem. Born during a backstage Bonnaroo downpour, Vito's mission in life is to dance, write, and travel to all the great festivals that this wide. August 20, 2014 Insomniac’s Beyond Wonderland returns to the Shoreline Amphitheater and Grounds in the Bay Area on September 20th and 21st. For the anxious fans waiting for the lineup, wait no. Sep 16, 2014 Beyond Wonderland Bay Area 2014 Announces Set Times. J Leo - September 16, 2014. This weekend will mark the third edition of Beyond Wonderland in the Bay Area and its second return to the.

Beyond Wonderland is an electronicdance festival organized by Insomniac Events. The event has been held in various locations across the west coast including Seattle, San Bernardino, and Mountain View spanning either one or two days.^[1] As the festival continued to grow from its earlier roots, it branched into two festivals: Beyond Socal and Beyond Norcal / Bay Area to cater to the growing audience. ^[2] However, this expansion of the Beyond series lasted for only four years before founder Pasquale Rotella announced that he would no longer continue having both Beyond Socal and Norcal to pursue expanding and creating other festivals of the Insomniac brand. ^[3]

In 2017, the international debut of Beyond Wonderland took place in Mexico and in 2019 it also has its debut in Colombia.

History[edit]

The history of Beyond Wonderland extends back before its inaugural 2010 date. The first festival was held at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, California. Insomniac Events announced the conception of Beyond Wonderland to be considered as the sister festival of Nocturnal Wonderland (formerly known as Nocturnal Festival).^{[4][according to whom?]} Fans of Insomniac Events called for a return to the past vibrant environment that the Nocturnal Festival once hailed. Insomniac believed Beyond Wonderland could provide this environment. With the success of Nocturnal Festival, Insomniac introduced the Wonderland series with Beyond Wonderland as its first expansion from the Nocturnal Festival, promising to 'return to the amazing hues and vibrance of our original Wonderland event.'^[5]

The festival features multiple stages of electronic dance music artists with such genres as: House, Trance, Dubstep, Drum and Bass, and ambient. The festival has also been known for features such as a light maze, many modern art sculptures, and poi dancers. As the festival continues to grow, new interactive additions are added each year to help enhance the experience, such as various dancing characters and aesthetic decorations.

As Insomniac Events continued to grow, new art installations, characters, and themes that focused more into the Alice in Wonderland motif became the aesthetic for Beyond Wonderland. When Insomniac expanded Beyond Wonderland to include camping in 2015, ^[6] Beyond seemed to be a second wind for festival-goers who had experienced the Nocturnal Series in the Fall prior. However, when Beyond was moved from the San Manuel Amphitheater back to the NOS Center, it no longer offered camping.

Beyond Wonderland Socal 2021

Past events[edit]

San Bernardino, CA - March 20, 2010[edit]

The inaugural Beyond Wonderland was held at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA on March 20, 2010 to a sold-out crowd.

Notable artists on the lineup included Sander van Doorn, Paul van Dyk, Groove Armada, Robbie Rivera, Caspa, Pendulum, and Wippenberg.

San Bernardino, CA - March 19, 2011[edit]

The second annual Beyond Wonderland was a great success, with another completely sold-out show at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA.

Beyond Wonderland 2021 News

Notable artists on the lineup included Calvin Harris, Dirty South, Dirtyphonics, Datsik, Infected Mushroom, Kaskade, Cosmic Gate, Noisia, and Showtek.

Seattle, WA - May 14, 2011[edit]

The first Beyond Wonderland to be held in the state of Washington took place at the WAMU Theatre.

Notable artists on the lineup included David Guetta, LMFAO, A-Trak, Datsik, Porter Robinson, and Gareth Emery. Beyond Wonderland marked Guetta's first appearance in Seattle.

San Bernardino, CA - March 17, 2012[edit]

The third annual Beyond Wonderland was a great success, with another completely sold-out show at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA with a special showing of A State Of Trance 550 with notable artists such as Armin van Buuren, Gareth Emery, Aly & Fila, Arty, Shogun, John O'Callaghan, Sied van Riel, and Fei Fei.

Other notable artists on the lineup throughout the festival included Dirty South, Hardwell, ATB, Magnetic Man, John Digweed, Netsky, Sidney Samson, and Steve Aoki.

This year marked the first year of Beyond Wonderland being expanded to Beyond Socal and Beyond Bay Area.

Oakland, CA - September 29, 2012[edit]

The first Beyond Wonderland to be held in Northern California was located at the O.co Coliseum parking lot in Oakland, CA. The lineup included artists such as Alesso, Sander Van Doorn, ATB, and Thomas Gold, amongst others.^[8]

San Bernardino, CA - March 16, 2013[edit]

The fourth annual Beyond Wonderland Socal saw a change of scenery, moving from the NOS Events Center to the San Manuel Amphitheater.

Notable artists on the lineup throughout the festival included Afrojack, Arty, Dash Berlin, David Guetta, Markus Schulz, and Steve Angello.

Mountain View, CA - September 28 & 29, 2013[edit]

The second Beyond Wonderland Bay Area was held in Northern California, this edition of Beyond Wonderland was held in Mountain View at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and was the first Beyond event to span two days. Roughly 40,000 fans attended the event for two days. Over 100 people were arrested, with people being charged with drug possession, drunkenness, illegal drug use, and furnishing.^[9]

Notable artists on the lineup included David Guetta, Avicii, Zeds Dead, Gareth Emery, Hardwell, Dash Berlin, Tiesto, Calvin Harris, Benny Benassi, Carnage, and Datsik.^[10]

Mountain View, CA - September 20 & 21, 2014[edit]

The third Beyond Wonderland Bay Area to be held in Northern California, this edition of Beyond Wonderland was again held in Mountain View at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and again spanned two days. More than sixty people were arrested due to noise complaints and drug possession.^[11]

San Bernardino, CA - March 20, 2015[edit]

Over 60 acts were performing on this two-day festival at the San Manuel Amphitheater, which was visited by an estimated 70,000 fans.^[12] The lineup featured artists such as [Benny Benassi], [John Digweed], and foreign acts as such as hardstyle duo D-Block and S-Te-Fan, or DBSTF. At this festival there were reports of a 22 year old man that died from a seizure.^[13] Additionally, 300 people were arrested and 32 people were hospitalized.^[14]

This 5th anniversary of Beyond Wonderland Socal was the first year the festival offered camping options for the festival.^[15] With the success of camping options at Nocturnal Wonderland the year prior, Insomniac expanded the camping experience to Beyond Wonderland as well. The campground offered a new layer of festival-going that included day time activities before the festival began. Yoga, arts and crafts, and a silent disco were all different options for campers in this year of Beyond Wonderland.^[16]

Mountain View, CA - September 26 & 27, 2015[edit]

The fourth Beyond Wonderland Bay Area to be held in Northern California, this edition of Beyond Wonderland was again held in Mountain View at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and again spanned two days. The lineup included Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Loadstar, Knife Party, and Yellow Claw.^[17]

San Bernardino, CA - March 18 & 19, 2016[edit]

The sixth Beyond Wonderland Socal was held at the Glen Helen Amphitheater-- at the time the San Manuel Amphiteater. ^[18] This year of Beyond Wonderland Socal offered a new type of format for music festivals, expanding into the various music label brands of Insomniac Events, specifically the Bassrush and Dreamstate brands. In this year of Beyond Socal, Insomniac created curated stages by the two brands to feature the various artists under each label. ^[19] This year featured an expansion of the campgrounds that were introduced in the year prior, and featured interactive art and activities in a whole new light to expand on the Beyond experience.

The Beyond Wonderland Bay Area series was cancelled this year along with EDC Puerto Rico, in an effort to 'focus on exploring new cities and enhancing the experience at some of our other festivals,' as stated by founder Pasquale Rotella. This marked the last year of a Beyond Wonderland Socal and Bay Area.

San Bernardino, CA - March 24 & 25 2017[edit]

The seventh Beyond Wonderland was again held at the Glen Helen Amphitheater. In this year of the Beyond series, Insomniac Events created the 'Endless Sea,' featuring an aquatic aesthetic throughout the festival. ^[20] Expanding from the typical Alice in Wonderland aesthetic that had been seen in years prior, this year of Beyond showed an expansion of immersive experiences and interaction from performers and art pieces.

San Bernardino, CA - March 16 & 17 2018[edit]

The eighth Beyond Wonderland saw a change of venue to one of its former venues, the NOS (National Orange Show) in San Bernardino. This year of Beyond featured acts such as Tiesto, Kayzo, and Chris Lake. ^[21]Because of the venue change, Beyond Wonderland no longer offered camping starting in 2018.

San Bernardino, CA - March 22 & 23 2019[edit]

The ninth Beyond Socal was at the NOS Events Center. ^[22] This year marked a good year in ticket sales for Beyond, with the first day selling out in less than 24 hours. ^[23] This year featured a good amount of music surprises, such as Deadmau5, REZZ, and ZHU. ^[24] as well as a return to the classic Alice in Wonderland aesthetic that characterized the Beyond series.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

1. ^'Beyond Wonderland SoCal March 22 & 23, 2019'.
2. ^'Insomniac Unveils Incredible Lineup For 2015 Beyond Wonderland, Southern California'. January 30, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
3. ^'EDC PUERTO RICO & BEYOND WONDERLAND BAY AREA NOT HAPPENING THIS YEAR'. March 30, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
4. ^'How It All Began – Insomniac'. www.insomniac.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
5. ^Events, Insomniac (March 1, 2010). 'Beyond Wonderland 2010 Official Trailer'. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
6. ^'Don't Miss Out: Why You Need To Experience Camping at Beyond Wonderland 2015'. February 26, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
7. ^'Beyond Bay Area Announce Trailer 2012'. August 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
8. ^(PDF)https://s3.amazonaws.com/beyondBA2012/beyond-ba-2012-schedule.pdf?v=1.Missing or empty title= (help)
9. ^'More Than 100 Arrested At Mountain View Rave'. September 30, 2013.
10. ^(PDF)https://web.archive.org/web/20131007213719/http://beyondwonderland.com/docs/beyond-bay-2013-schedule.pdf. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2013-10-07.Missing or empty title= (help)
11. ^'More Than 60 People Arrested at Beyond Wonderland Rave Concert in Mountain View'. September 21, 2014.
12. ^Woods, Wes (March 22, 2015). 'Best and worst of Beyond Wonderland 2015'. The Sun. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
13. ^Cuniff, Meghann M. (March 28, 2015). 'UC Irvine student, 22, dies at music festival'. The Orange County Register. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
14. ^Nelson, Joe (September 5, 2015). '32 hospitalized, 300 arrested at Nocturnal Wonderland in Devore'. San Bernardino Sun. The Sun. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
15. ^'Insomniac Reveals Lineup for Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2015!'. EDM Sauce. February 26, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
16. ^'5 Reasons to Camp at Beyond Wonderland 2015'. Insomniac Events. February 13, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
17. ^'Lineup'. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
18. ^'BEYOND WONDERLAND'S 2016 LINEUP HAS FINALLY ARRIVED'. Jan 19, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
19. ^'Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2016 Lineup Announced'. Jan 19, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
20. ^Petriw, Nicole (April 14, 2017). 'Beyond Wonderland 2017: The Endless Sea Recap'. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
21. ^Gilmore, Grant (March 12, 2018). 'BEYOND WONDERLAND SOCAL 2018 SET TIMES, FESTIVAL MAP, & MORE!'. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
22. ^'Hours and Info'. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
23. ^'BEYOND WONDERLAND 2019 BREAKS ALL-TIME TICKET SALES RECORDS'. February 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
24. ^Otto, kent (January 7, 2019). 'Lineup announced for SoCal's Beyond Wonderland 2019 festival'. Retrieved May 12, 2019.

External links[edit]

Beyond Wonderland 2021 Location

Another year, another few hundred menus tasted and perused around the globe. Though my 2014 wasn’t quite the travel schedule 2013 was (25 cities and 10 countries!) with my job as Zagat SF/Bay Area Editor, it was still a nonstop year that took me from places like Tokyo to New Orleans, NYC to Hong Kong.

Here are my 2014 best bars lists (more for best in food/dining here) covering the Best New Bars in San Francisco (opened December 2013 to November 2014), my 6 Best Bar Experiences USA and my 10 Best Bar Experiences Global, which are not necessarily new but those in which I tasted the best drinks and had the best service of the year.

Click on each bar name for my original articles – some I will be reviewing in the coming weeks. The San Francisco portion of the list was first published here at Zagat on December 29, 2014.

1. The Coachman

Robert Burns’ Hunting Flask at the Coachman

[Sadly, as of the beginning of 2015, The Coachman abruptly closed.] Thanks to bar manager John Codd and bar master Erik Adkins (Slanted Door, Hard Water), The Coachman is one of the great new bars in SF where each drink is expertly made, based off of obscure, historic recipes and the Scotch and rum selections are strong… as is the food from Charles Phan and team.

2. ABV

Todd Smith (founding bartender of Bourbon & Branch, currently also The Hideout), Ryan Fitzgerald (formerly Beretta and brand ambassador for Del Maguey Mezcal) and Erik Reichborn-Kjennerud (Dalva/The Hideout owner) have opened what is easily the new drink (and food) industry hangout, welcoming everyone with a smile, quality cocktails across a range of spirits and creative bar food from one of our Zagat 30 Under 30 chefs this year, Kevin Cimino.

3. Trou Normand

Trou Normand feels like Paris meets NY in SoMa with house charcuterie that makes all others seem lackluster. The elegant, high ceiling bar — from Bar Agricole owner Thad Vogler and crew — is all about house selected barrels of Armagnac, Cognac and Calvados and refined cocktails made with these French spirits (and beyond).

4. The Interval at the Long Now Foundation’s Salon

The pioneering Long Now Salon has one of the coolest bars in this (or any) city, complete with salon talks and a library to restart civilization with. Thanks to Bar Manager Jennifer Colliau (the mastermind behind some of the best cocktail modifiers out there, Small Hand Foods), multiple menus-within-a-menu are pioneering, including a Drinking Around the World menu highlighting drinking customs from many countries.

5. Dirty Habit

Cocktails from Danny Louie at Chino in the Mission

Upscale Fifth Floor transformed to Dirty Habit as of May 1st, thankfully with the same team in effect: chef David Bazirgan, pastry chef Francis Ang, master sommelier Emily Wines, sommelier Jose Maria Aguirre and lead bartender Brian Means. The space was completely remodeled and the sleek outdoor patio with rectangular rock fireplace is one of the coolest downtown hangout/gathering spots. But most importantly, besides memorable food, Means’ cocktails — and an extensive selection of whiskies and rarities — still make it a strong bar.

6. Chino

Danny Louie (formerly of the Alembic) has long been one of SF’s great bartenders and now he has a menu to showcase his talent and playful use of Asian spirits like baijiu, Asian teas, boba (think boba slushie cocktails) and all manner of spirits and ingredients in his creative, fun cocktail menu that is the draw at the new Chino.

7. Lolo

A new location and first time bar for longtime Mission creative-Mexican gem, Loló (also with a new sister Peruvian-Mexican restaurant, Loló​ Cevicheria), resulted in a solid initial cocktail menu. But at the end of summer, bartenders David Gallardo and Leon Vasquez stepped up the game with Trick Dog-esque artistry: a cocktail menu lineup of playing cards from Tablero Loteria, a Mexican card game reminiscent of bingo. Call it most improved within a couple months of opening.

8. Arguello

Alongside gratifying Mexican dishes from none other than Traci Des Jardins, Arguello opened in the historic (and just remodeled) Officers’ Club in the Presidio this October with an agave spirits list (tequila- and mezcal-heavy, as well as less common agave spirits sotol and bacanora) and excellent cocktails from Enrique Sanchez (formerly of Puerto 27, La Mar Cebicheria). His ever-balanced, delicious cocktails are even better invigorated by fresh air within the white walls of the restaurant’s outdoor patio surrounded by majestic cypress and eucalyptus trees.

9. Smokestack

Urchin Bistrot cocktails

Opened in May in the Dogpatch, Smokestack is an ever-bustling source for BBQ and Magnolia beers (since the owner is Dave McLean of Magnolia). But bar manager Eric Quilty’s cocktails are a real draw, adding an elegant-yet-approachable touch to beer and ‘cue in the wood-lined, hip space.

10. Urchin Bistrot

One of the new bars I most want to hang out at is Urchin Bistrot. The restaurant serves excellent modern French bistro fare at reasonable prices and the France-and-beyond wine list is sophisticated yet approachable. But cocktails from former Comal bartender Rafael Jimenez Rivera are also a draw, sometimes highlighting French aperitif liqueurs and Italian amaro. There often seems to be a seat at the bar and a warm welcome, making the space feel like the best neighborhood bars/restaurants of Europe.

Longitude, Oakland

Longitude opened this summer in downtown Oakland, an oasis of tropical design with elegant Tiki and rum cocktails partnered with pupu platters. Behind covered windows wrapped in vintage maps lies an otherworldly space that feels like Africa-meets-Polynesia circa 1930s, with plenty of green, bamboo, palms, mounted wall masks and artwork — much of it collected personally by owner Suzanne Long — from Indonesia to Africa. A fantastic exotica soundtrack transports in Polynesian-Tiki style with refined, rum-centric cocktails.

La Taberna, Napa

Though The Farmer & the Fox and Archetype are both Napa Valley newcomers doing quality cocktails, La Taberna, in downtown Napa, feels like what was missing from all of Wine Country. With a chalkboard of changing tapas in a sleek downtown Napa space, most tapas are merely $4-7 — and absolutely delicious. Craft beer, wine — both local and international — a sherry by-the-glass list seals the deal with a few transporting (takes me back to Spain) low proof cocktails utilizing sherry, port and the like. The quality is high and the price is right.

Honorable Mentions: Hapa Ramen, Kin Khao, The European, Gaspar Brasserie, Charles Phan’s South,Pathos in Berkeley
Beer Bars: Hopwater Distribution, Smokestack, Brewcade, Liquid Gold, Lost & Found in Oakland
Wine Bars: While there were a number of notable newcomers this year, like these three, this year, it was all about Les Clos.

Faith & Flower

After my recent mind-blowing travels around Japan, I more than appreciate the concept and inspiration behind Bar Jackalope, opened in January, hidden in the back of Seven Grand. Though there are so many ways it doesn’t (and couldn’t) compare to Japan, including the rarity and affordability of the whisk(e)y selection, it is still a blessedly unpretentious, mellow, intimate spot despite the speakeasy nature — with a broad whisk(e)y selection and a cigar porch to boot.

Bestia cocktails

Bestia has been at the top of every kind of restaurant list since it opened in 2012 and is still one of the hardest reservations to secure in town. Despite almost deafening noise when the place is full, I found the bar (first come, first served, though I recommend getting there before they open) not overwhelmingly loud, with full food menu available and the bar staff knowledgeable, in line with the best restaurants here at home or around the world. The white wine and Riesling-heavy (yes!) wine list is impeccable (thanks to wine director Maxwell Leer) and the well-executed cocktails were created by LA bar great Julian Cox.

Michael Lay’s (former bar manager at Restaurant 1833 in Monterey) refined cocktails are one of the key strengths of Faith & Flower, open in downtown LA this Spring. It’s one of the more striking dining rooms and bars in LA (a city with plenty of notable spaces): lush with greens, leather booths, velvet, crystal chandeliers, feather fans and, as at 1833, featuring absinthe and amaro carts, historic drinks with modern focus and a robust spirits collection.

Square Root, New Orleans

Square Root

Square Root is easily the most exciting newcomer to New Orleans on the dining side — and the same holds true for its upstairs bar/lounge. The lovely space in a historic building boasts a balcony and a wrap-around bar from which bartenders turn out impeccable cocktails, dishes and bites akin to the creative quality I love at their parent restaurant, Root.

Barnacle, Seattle

Easily the most consistent quartet of restaurants in Seattle are those from Renee Erickson that have been consistently amazing, three of them taking up my top Seattle dining recommends. Alongside daily changing seafood small plates blissfully heavy on sardines, oysters and the like, sitting at one long counter in an intimate space hidden upstairs across the hall from the Walrus and the Carpenter, Barnacle is even more a pleasure because of its Italian amaro selection in simple but well-executed cocktails, like a bracingly bitter-refreshing Chinato cocktail, mixing the ultra-bitter Amaro Sibilla with Italian Chinotto soda. More on my top Seattle bar recommends here.

Saxon + Parole has been one of my favorite NY bars for years since Naren Young used to oversee the program. It remains a favorite in its current days and the best visit of all the many bars I hit during yet another return to my teenage years home of the suburbs of NYC. Under the able hands of Masa Urushido, a gracious bar manager who came from some of Tokyo’s top bars in 2008, seasonal cocktails in particular are stunners, deftly utilizing produce, herbs and spices.

Gen Yamamoto’s unforgettable bar

1. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan

Bar Benfiddich is utterly transporting, feeling like a colonial tavern from the 1700s hidden upstairs in an office building, all rustic wood and brick, dim with a Colonial-era painting illuminated behind the bar. Best of all, bar master Benfiddich is a wizard with cocktails and making his own spirits, steeping botanicals on the spot from an ancient book of distilling with recipes he’ll point out to you. Alongside an impressive absinthe collection, he also makes his own absinthe — and if you ask for his house root beer, be prepared to be wowed.

2. Gen Yamamoto, Tokyo, Japan

Gen Yamamoto behind his austere bar

Another “wow” experience is the intimate Gen Yamamoto, run by the masterful Gen Yamamoto himself. Gen keeps an austere yet approachable bar of a mere few, rare bottles in a minimalist room marked by a wide, hand-carved, knotty bar from which one watches Gen work. Cocktails can be ordered individually or as 4-6 course tasting menus, featuring rare spirits from gin to sake and the impressive array of Japanese produce in season at its peak, thoughtfully matched with each spirit. Think luscious, massive Hokkaido Niagara grapes with sparkling Nigiri Sake Dassai 50.

3. Zoetrope, Tokyo, Japan

Zoetrope’s unreal selection of Ichiro malts back to the 1980s

One of the most uniquely brilliant bar experiences — and whisky collections — in the world, is Zoetrope. The emphasis is on Japanese whiskies, including all those impossible-to-find Chichibu card series bottlings from the ‘80s, shockingly available by the pour or half pour — and at reasonable prices (no more than $20 a pour). But you’ll also find a number of Scotches and American whiskies. The owner is a huge movie buff so films play on a back screen while his 3000+ film score soundtracks loop. It’s one of the most wonderfully unique bar experiences in the world.

4. Calvador, Kyoto, Japan

Japan offers one “best in the world” bar experience after another and Bar Calvador is truly one of the greats in the world. For Calvados (French apple brandy) lovers, it’s unreal. The biggest Calvados collection in the world, over 300 bottles and counting, is housed in a tiny, 2^nd floor bar with no more than the symbol an apple as any indication it exists from the street. Bar manager Hiroyuki Takayama is a global Calvados ambassador and offers pours from 50, even 80 year old Calvados… or stunning rarities like an 1869 Calvados. It’s an incredible way to get “schooled” on the great brandy of Normandy.

5. Y & M Kisling, Tokyo, Japan

My first night in Tokyo was sheer magic, thanks to legendary Y & M Kisling (pictured top). Hidden on a 7th floor in Ginza, the dark wood-lined bar glows with a 1930s elegance, jazz softly playing in the background, bartenders in cream-colored jackets and the ever-impeccable collection of Japanese barware and glassware, perfectly stirred or shaken cocktails and the house drink, Kaikan Fizz (created by head bartender Mitsugi Yoshida, who has bartended for over 55 years). Served in a highball glass, it’s frothy and bright, mixing gin, whole milk, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, shaken and topped off with soda water. The experience is so transporting you feel as if you’re both in another world and another time.

6. The Envoy, Hong Kong, China

Adorable yinyuang owl mug at The Envoy

The Envoy may be the most exciting of Hong Kong’s newcomers, thanks to bar manager Amanda Wan and star Hong Kong barman Antonio Lai (also behind the bars Origin and Quinary). Soft opening this summer in the gorgeous Pottinger hotel up a cobblestone Central street, The Envoy is tucked upstairs on the third floor, a chic wonderland of elegant wallpaper, alcoves, a long bar — including a corner reservations-only bar within full view of a centrifuge and other house equipment — and a white light-strewn patio. The magic of the space translates to the playful drinks (think a blood bag beet and genever cocktail — delicious despite how it sounds) and tea cocktails embracing the all-important British-Chinese afternoon tea ritual, celebrated here with creative bites.

7. Yoram Sake, Kyoto, Japan

In the US, there are those rare, incredible sake tastings, like an experience of pairings with sushi from sake sommelier Stuart Morris at Pabu in SF, where you can taste sakes ranging funky and mushroom-y, to pine-y and aromatic. And then there’s Yoram Sake, a once-in-a-lifetime sake bar run by Yoram Ofer, an Israeli sake master who also exports sake to the US and beyond. The quiet, intimate bar is merely a few seats (are you seeing a common theme here in Japan?) and the rarities run from elegant, young sakes to 20-30 year aged sakes that invoke stewed onions and beef jus. It’s an almost sacred experience immediately elevating love of sake to another level.

8. Campbelltoun Loch, Tokyo, Japan

Campbeltoun Loch

Harder to find and without a website (yes, the spelling of the name is correct), this tiny bar is not much bigger than a closet but equipped with many rare Japanese whisky and Scotch bottles behind (and lined across) the bar. The kindly owner walks you through treasures like old bottles of now-defunct Karuizawa Japanese whisky and 1980’s Mars Single Malt from the Shinsyu Distillery.

9. Cafe De Dokter, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam boasts a number of unforgettable dive bars: intimate, historic spots bursting with character, and in the case of Cafe de Dokter, dust. The dust has never been cleaned on bric-a-brac lining the walls of this dim haven enhanced by mellow jazz tunes and a laid back bartender. The bar was founded by a surgeon in 1798, has been run by the same family for generations, and is wonderfully creepy with old clocks, birdcages, ventriloquist doll, a hanging doctor’s bag. It’s about all the atmosphere, not the drinks (hence the “dive” label), so a good pour of whisky is the ideal way to go. You won’t find the like of it anywhere else in the world.

Beyond Wonderland Gorge Lineup

10. Duddell’s, Hong Kong, China

Marek Vojcarcik creations at Duddell’s

In a town rife with cool outdoor patios, Duddell’s may be one of the coolest. The expansive, open air lounge upstairs from the two Michelin-starred restaurant opens out onto a large patio lined with tropical foliage, vintage lawn furniture and tables, surrounded by skyscrapers. The artful, British-influenced menu from salon manager Marek Vojcarcik highlights cocktail classics (like a twist on a Gibson with Tanqueray gin, dry vermouth and a garnish of baby pickles) and creative house drinks like Opium, a Scotch-based drink laced with peach, lime and poppy seed milk.