12 Cities With the Best Bars in the World According to Latest Ranking—Because Who Doesn’t Need a World-Class Drink?
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These cities have the swankiest, prettiest, and most outlandish places to grab a drink. If you want to try the cocktail of your life in a place made to impress, visit one of the cities with the best bars in the world.
The team at The World’s 50 Best assembled a brand new list of the 50 best bars in the world based on the opinion of their 1,000-plus expert gourmands. Some cities put extra effort into their drink scene.
We noticed that a few cities have more than the rest. Below are the 12 cities with the best bars in the world. From expertly crafted cocktails to luxurious interior designs, you’re signing up for an experience when you grab a drink in these local watering holes.
Mexico City, Mexico
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Mexico City is Mexico’s cosmopolitan capital and one of the world’s great culinary capitals. Like its restaurant scene, its bar scene pushes boundaries and the limits of what’s possible in a drink.
It has the #1 bar on the list, the fabulous Handshake Speakeasy. This prohibition-era-inspired bar, run by head bartender Eric Van Beek, uses complex infusions and rare ingredients to create a flavor profile unlike anything you’ll ever try.
The city also has #20 Tlecān and #32 Licorería Limantour. Each of these bars takes cocktail-making to a new artistic level.
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Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong has a long history of creating amazing food and drink. Two of its standout bars are at the top of the list.
The Italian-inspired Bar Leone ranks #2 in the world. Led by cocktail artist Lorenzo Antinori, the team blends incredible cocktails with comfortable elegance to create a one-of-a-kind drinking experience.
At #18 is Coa, a Mexican-themed cocktail bar that introduces mezcal and tequila-based cocktails to the sophisticated city’s drinks scene. Each drink is made with fresh market ingredients and some of the best mezcals and tequilas on the market.
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Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a coastal Spanish city with a flare for everything delicious. It hosts two of the top bars in the world.
The renowned Sips is ranked #3 in the world. This futuristic bar is run by drinks experts Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez. Their creations are not only delicious but resemble works of art.
Coming in at #10 is Paradiso. This hidden bar takes you through a dream-like entrance into the belly of a whale. When the drinks menu arrives, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a fantasy novel.
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London, England
London has four incredible bars on this year’s list. As a global city and a hub of gourmet cuisine, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most award-winning bar-heavy cities on the planet.
At #4 in the world is Tayēr + Elementary, a classic establishment run by Monica Berg and Alex Kratena. This bar takes you through the elements of aesthetic beauty and perfectly curated drinks meant to inspire.
At #13 is Connaught Bar, which blends an art-deco interior with classic and modern cocktail making. Satan’s Whiskers at #29 and Scarfes Bar at #37 are two forward-thinking bars not to be missed.
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Singapore
Singapore is a small island nation with many top-listed bars. This comes as no surprise given the city’s international reputation as a foodie’s paradise.
At #5 is Jigger & Pony, a modern bar with elegant design and fresh takes on new classics. If you’re ready for the best Espresso Martini of your life or a fresh new take on the classic Singapore Sling, you’re in for a treat.
Singapore also has #28 Nutmeg & Clove, #43 Atlas, and #47 Analogue Initiative. Each of these bars will give you an experience to remember and a reason to stay in the city for a few extra days.
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Athens, Greece
Athens has two of the best bars in the world and continuously pushes the limits of food and drink. The city is a meeting place of cultures and history and has the perfect climate for growing the fresh ingredients the world’s best bartenders love.
At #6 in the world is Line. Built in a former art gallery, this renowned bar run by Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis feels like an evolving work of art made for you to experience again and again.
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Baba au Rum is #17 on the list and puts rum at the center of its cocktails. Inside, there is a swanky sitting area with great service and ambiance.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is one of South America’s food capitals. In the trending Palermo neighborhood or downtown’s Victorian estates, you’ll find some of the best bars on the planet.
At #7 in the world is Tres Monos in Palermo. This unique bar takes you through a neon-lit nightclub experience with Argentine-made spirits, wines, and infusions.
CoChinChina at #22 blends chic Parisian flare with Asian-inspired ingredients to create a unique drinking experience with an Argentine twist. At #46 is Florería Atlántico, a visionary bar that takes you through the stories of Buenos Aires’ immigrant communities through the flavors of its cocktails.
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New York, United States
New York is one of the and culture, so it makes sense that it has one of the highest numbers of top-rated bars on the list.
At #14 is Double Chicken Please, one of North America’s top bars. Through several layers of rooms, you’ll walk through the team’s vision of New York, from traditional soda taps to swanky lounges.
Coming in at #15 is Overstory, a glamorous bar serving some of the world’s best cocktails with a 65-story view. Martiny’s ranks as #24 and has some of the most renowned martinis in the world.
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Paris, France
Paris is France’s bustling capital and one of the world’s great stops for amazing food and drink. The city has three bars on the list, each with standout cocktails and amazing ambiance.
The Cambridge Public House comes in at #19. This classic establishment serves elegant cocktails in a modern cocktail lounge atmosphere. Here, you’ll find new adaptations of timeless classics, all with a Parisian twist.
Bar Nouveau at #39 takes you on an adventure through Art Nouveau architecture and cocktails inspired by the art form. At #49 is Danico, a bar that blends globally inspired cocktails with fresh, clean interior design.
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Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne has some of the world’s best bars on the list in innovative and beautiful spaces. The city is famous for its fresh, ingredient-focused cuisine, and its bars follow suit.
The unique Caretaker’s Cottage is #21 on the list. This stylish and unique bar is located in a little cottage surrounded by skyscrapers. Inside, you’ll find amazing cocktails and Guinness pints that are said to rival Dublin’s.
At #35 is Byrdi, a bar that focuses on local ingredients only. You’ll sample small-batch spirits made locally as well as infusions, juices, and flavors only found in the state of Victoria.
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Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is a mainstay on the World’s 50 Best lists, whether for bars or restaurants. The city takes flavors and spaces seriously, and it’s no surprise that its bars compete for the top honors year after year.
At the top of the list is BKK Social Club at #12, an elegant bar that features drinks inspired by Argentina and Mexico. You’ll be transported to a new realm of fusions, unlike anything you can imagine.
Bar Us comes in at #41, featuring swanky interior design and elegant cocktails. Its cocktails take you on a tour through Thailand. Have you ever wanted to try Thai food in a glass? If so, don’t miss the amazing Bar Us.
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Milan, Italy
Milan may not have any bars in the top ten, but its renowned cocktail lounges are not far off. You’ll experience a mixture of elegance and creativity in the city’s top drinking spaces.
At #38 is Moebius Milano, a cuisine and flavor-focused bar set in the middle of an old factory. Here, you’ll sample expertly crafted cocktails with live music, entertainment, and a hip atmosphere that only Milan can deliver.
1930 is a prohibition-style bar that’s extra difficult to get into. However, once you do, you’ll step into another time and world. The bar ranks #50 on the list and is a mainstay for people in the drinks industry looking to experience something new and amazing.
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