The Diplomat, Hong Kong’s award-winning speakeasy from Leading Nation Hospitality, enters its next chapter with an all-female bar leadership team. Bar Manager Michelle Ang and Assistant Bar Manager Ashley Moo now oversee the cocktail program and daily operations, carrying forward the drinks, food and warm hospitality that define The Diplomat. That same hospitality has made it one of the industry’s favorite bars, with The Diplomat placing No. 4 in The Bartender’s Edit Hong Kong 2026, a ranking based on recommendations from the city’s bartenders, and taking home Most Recommended Bartender and Most Recommended Bar Food.
“Michelle and Ashley have the skill, warmth and instinct for hospitality that The Diplomat was built on. I couldn’t be more excited to see them lead it into its next chapter.” — John Nugent, Co-Founder of The Diplomat and Bar Director at Leading Nation Hospitality
Regional Recognition & Global Perspective
Michelle Ang joined The Diplomat in July 2024, bringing nearly a decade of experience across Asia’s bar scene. She began her career in five-star hotels before becoming the first female apprentice at Employees Only Singapore, and went on to help shape cocktail programs at Barbary Coast Singapore (#29 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021), Cardinal Point Hong Kong (Cathay Members’ Choice Award 2025 for Hong Kong’s Hippest New Nightlife Spot), and KAEN Izakaya.
Alongside her work behind the bar, Ang has represented The Diplomat through international guest shifts at CMYK in Changsha, Sip in Ho Chi Minh City and Vesper in Bangkok. During her tenure, The Diplomat was awarded 1 Pin by The Pinnacle Guide in 2025 and named to Tatler’s Best 20 Bars in Hong Kong in both 2025 and 2026, as well as Tatler’s Best 100 Bars in Asia-Pacific 2026.
“To me, The Diplomat feels warm, cozy and unpretentious. The drinks are easy to love, the team feels like family, and the bar has this rare community of regulars and industry friends that makes you want to keep coming back. What drink would I recommend? The Irish Coffee will always be my favorite. I loved it before I started working here, and it was actually part of the reason why I fell in love with The Diplomat. It’s comforting, familiar and makes me happy, which is exactly what a great drink should do.” — Michelle Ang, Bar Manager
Homegrown Talent & Team Precision
Ashley Moo’s progression reflects The Diplomat’s commitment to developing talent from within. She joined as a Junior Bartender in May 2024, became Senior Bartender in February 2025 and was promoted to Assistant Bar Manager in August 2026.
With a strong understanding of floor operations and attentive guest service, Moo brings a practical, guest-focused approach to her role. She has also represented The Diplomat at The Public House in Taipei and at events including ComplexCon.
“The Diplomat feels like a home away from home, a welcoming place where everyone feels comfortable and included. What makes it stand out is the warm atmosphere and the sense of community it creates. My favorite drink on the menu is the Masa Punch. It brings together all the flavors I love (spicy, smoky, sweet, sour) and includes my favorite spirit, mezcal. It’s a combination I really enjoy.” — Ashley Moo, Assistant Bar Manager
Together, Ang and Moo lead the team across the main Tavern and private Social Club. Their approach pairs technical precision—from clarified cocktails to more advanced preparation techniques—with drinks that are as enjoyable to order as they are carefully made. The focus is straightforward: well-made cocktails, a warm welcome and a team that pays attention.
Integral to The Diplomat’s identity, the bar’s food program is deeply inspired by the historic speakeasy culture across the United States. Designed to complement the beverage menu with comforting American classics, the food offering is anchored by The Diplomat Burger, ranked No. 4 in the world and No. 1 in Asia on the World’s 101 Best Burger Places 2026 list.
Whether guests come for a classic cocktail, The Diplomat Burger or a late-night catch-up, Ang, Moo and the team are ready to welcome them.
