Revealed: The world’s 50 best bars, from unbeatable martini lounges to booze found

Forget nursing a pint in a sticky-floored establishment. There is, undoubtedly, no better way to enjoy a drink than in an elegant cocktail bar – or within the walls of a top-secret speakeasy. 

Fortunately, if you’re hunting for your next boozy spot to visit, we’ve got you covered.

From chic cocktail venues in Hong Kong and Singapore to dimly lit, romantic nooks in Paris and Milan, the best bars around the world have been revealed for this year. 

Compiled by the prestigious 50 Best ranking, the list of the top bars across the globe is topped by an Asian spot that has scooped up awards in the past.

Overall, the UK has three bars in the top 50, all of which are situated in London. Other cities that feature prominently include Mexico City, New York, Paris and Barcelona.

Here’s a rundown of the winning bars across the globe for you to peruse – cheers! 

Led by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, Hong Kong’s Bar Leone tops the global list with its Roman-inspired cocktail culture.

It takes the winning spot for a second year in a row, having only been founded back in 2023, and is best known for its vibrant atmosphere and classic, perfectly prepared drinks.

With such celebrity comes long queues, as there are no reservations here – but it’s worth waiting it out or arriving early to put your name down and hang around in the area for a chance to savour one of the Italian snacks or refined cocktails on the menu. 

2. Moebius Milano, Milan 

Moebius Milano is not just a bar, but also a culinary hotspot, with tapas on offer as well as its highly coveted cocktail list.

There is also live jazz and music on certain nights, adding to the convivial atmosphere.

The cocktail menu is, it’s fair to say, slightly wacky: why not try a Pesto martini, a tzatziki highball made with coconut water, cucumber and tequila, or winter melon negroni with a hint of feta cheese?

One Google review said: ‘Just stopped in for a drink and was blown away. Cool place and great drinks. The architecture and layout is a must-see.’

3. Alquímico, Cartagena 

Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia is dubbed a ‘coliseum of carnival’ by 50 best.

The all-female bartending crew curate some of the best drinks in the country, with choreographed routines and dancing not an uncommon sight.

Behind the glitz and glam is a moving story rooted in the local area – the bar has a partnership with disadvantaged farmers who grow rare, regional ingredients in the previously war-torn Montes de Maria mountains.

4. Bar Us, Bangkok 

Located in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit neighbourhood, Bar Us is a dimly lit drinking room with a sultry vibe.

Beverages take inspiration from Thai cuisine: you can opt for a Thai tea punch, mango skin and turmeric root cocktail or a jackfruit and sticky rice drink, among other delightful treats.

It comes after Bangkok took this year’s top spot as the world’s best city for nightlife thanks to its extraordinary variety, with rooftop bars, legendary clubs, late-night street food and buzzing neighbourhood cocktail spots all on offer to its visitors. 

5. Line, Athens 

A short ride from Athens’ city centre is a former art gallery that seems unassuming – but top-notch Line recently won the title of Europe’s best bar.

The bar ferments its own fruit wines, beer and sourdough – and the wine is the true crown jewel. If it’s a cocktail you’re after though, don’t fret.

Highlights include a ‘leftover spritz’ made with tomato, cardamom and elderflower, as well as all the classics.

One visitor raved: ‘Line Athens is an essential stop for anyone serious about cocktails! The drinks are truly wonderful and highly inventive, focusing on unique flavours and house-made ferments.’

6. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City 

Handshake Speakeasy has a reputation as one of the best bars in Mexico City, having featured in the 50 Best rankings in previous years.

It has a 1920s feel with an Art Deco style, including low lighting and elegant furnishings. 

‘Handshake Speakeasy is one of those places where the experience starts the moment you walk in,’ one guest wrote, adding: ‘The cocktails are creative, unique, and absolutely worth trying. The service was impeccable, and everything felt thoughtfully curated.’

7. Zest, Seoul 

Zest, located in Seoul, opened in 2020 and offers a Korean twist on the modern cocktail bar.

As implied by the bar’s name, citrus is the dominant flavour here, and the menu makes use of fresh, zero-waste ingredients including fruit peels and vegetable trimmings.

Expect a blend of traditional ingredients (think soju, yakju and Korean fruit) with typical cocktails and international spirits.

Perhaps one of the world’s best hotel bars, the Connaught Bar opened in 2008 with its Cubist decor, Mayfair address and classic style. 

The bar’s signature dry martini has made headlines, arriving by trolley and stirred directly at your table.

One customer said: ‘Beautiful bar with lively atmosphere. Cocktail menu is gorgeous. Lots of drinks to choose from. If you love martinis, we highly recommend ordering one. The martini cart experience is quite special. My husband is very particular with his martinis and enjoyed his.’

9. Lady Bee, Lima 

‘One of the buzziest bars in Latin America, Lady Bee takes drinkers on seasonal liquid tours of Peru through its fruits, spirits and even vegetables,’ says The 50.

The bar is smart and classy, with modern interiors punctuated by comfortable armchairs. 

Try the Queen Bee with gin, lemon, lavender and butterfly pea honey syrup, or opt for the bar’s Three Sips Martini topped with trout caviar.

10. Bar Mauro, Mexico City 

Another Mexico City spot to join the list is Bar Mauro, a retro Italian-style establishment that pays homage to aperitivo culture: all olives, cheese and cocktails.

‘From the moment you walk in, the place hums with an infectious energy that instantly pulls you in,’ one visitor wrote. ‘The staff bring a genuine enthusiasm that’s hard to fake and even harder to forget. 

‘Every cocktail feels intentionally crafted, not just mixed, with layered flavours, balanced profiles, and thoughtful presentation that shows real care behind the bar. It’s the kind of spot where you come for a drink and stay for the vibe.’

11. Schmuck, New York 

Designed to make you feel like you’re at the trendiest house party in town, there’s something undeniably cool about Schmuck.

Drinks are equally modern but perhaps not quite what you expect.

Sip on Fika, reminiscent of the Swedish coffee-and-pastry tradition, a bread-and-tomatoes vodka cocktail or a caramelized apple punch.

12. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou 

You need to know what you’re looking for if you want to have a drink at Hope & Sesame.

Upon entering an unassuming snack bar in the Dongshankou neighbourhood of Guangzhou, hunt for the refrigerator door at the back – it will lead you through the secret passage to the bar.

One visitor said: ‘Inside a nostalgic storefront with a general store style, it opens up once you go in, a feeling of pleasure after a successful rendezvous. 

‘The staff are neat and proper, and the music is also gentle, like the wine on the table. Sitting alone is very natural, capturing the relaxed vibe of Guangzhou.’ 

13. The Cambridge Public House, Paris

Inspired by the great British pub, this Paris hotspot blends the simple interior and relaxed vibe you’d expect from a UK drinking hole with a refined drinks selection.

Of course, there are British bar snacks to complement your beverage – think meat pies, roast pork platters and sausage rolls.

‘If you like your cocktails this place is a must – very innovative menu,’ one visitor wrote, with another adding: ‘Fab fab bar. Great atmosphere, super attentive service without being in your space. And the cocktails – outstanding. And unique. Deserves all the accolades it gets.’

14. Sip & Guzzle, New York

Japanese and American cultures unite at Sip & Guzzle in New York, a bar with two levels – and two vibes.

Upstairs is Guzzle, an exposed-brick saloon with a lively crowd, while downstairs you’ll discover a more refined ambience with premium drinks and food on offer.

The best thing to order? The Royale with Cheese Meal, a Japanese wagyu sandwich that comes in a gold container.

15. Bar Nouveau, Paris

In Paris’ Marais district, you’ll find Bar Nouveau, which boasts a curated menu of six cocktails – and no reservations.

Guests here are transported to a bygone era, with antique glasses and custom lighting fixtures.

The ground floor evokes an Art Nouveau feel, while the darker, more intimate downstairs area with its exposed brick adds a modern edge.

16. Sips, Barcelona

Barcelona doesn’t exactly have a shortage of bars, so for Sips to rank so highly speaks volumes about the quality of the drinks and atmosphere here.

Drinks aren’t just about the alcohol: the focus is on taste, texture, scent and the whole experience.

There’s always a line outside, and you will need a reservation to get in.

One customer said: ‘What a unique experience! After being led through a beaded wall we emerged into a small seating area for 12 guests and were treated to the most delightful array of creative cocktails. Fun thing to do with friends if you are looking for something new and different!’

17. Paradiso, Barcelona 

A discreet entrance – a fridge door inside a pastrami shop – leads through to a theatrical bar like no other.

Having been named the world’s best bar in 2022, it’s a top spot in Barcelona among locals and tourists alike.

One guest wrote: ‘I’m a real bar nerd and I love discovering special bars around the world – and Paradiso is definitely one of my highlights in Barcelona.

‘If you’re looking for creative cocktails, a bit of entertainment and an experience beyond just having a drink, this is the place to go. The cocktails are not only excellent in taste, but also presented with incredible attention to detail.’

18. Jigger & Pony, Singapore 

Jigger & Pony – a jigger being the hourglass-shaped measuring device used by bartenders – ranks 18th overall this year. 

When it launched in 2012 it was based on Amoy Street in Singapore’s Chinatown, but as business boomed, it relocated to the Amara Singapore hotel, where it now resides. 

‘One of the best spots in Singapore for a laid-back yet vibrant bar experience,’ one visitor said. ‘The ambience is inviting and effortlessly chic, perfect for relaxing with friends or enjoying a night out.’

19. The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens

The Bar in Front of the Bar started out as a pop-up but morphed into a street bar.

It focuses on eight daily signature drinks made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

‘One of the coolest cocktail experiences we had in Athens’, one customer wrote. ‘The Bar in Front of the Bar is exactly what its name suggests – a tiny street-side cocktail bar that feels like an extension of the city itself.

‘The atmosphere is relaxed, lively, and full of energy, with locals and visitors mingling together over excellent drinks.

‘The cocktail menu changes every single day, so no two visits are exactly the same. The bar is also known for its creative, sustainability-focused approach and its ever-changing humorous signs that have become part of its identity.’

20. Exímia, São Paulo

‘Exímia is a multi-sensory tribute to Brazilian identity and anthropology as well as indigenous and regional biodiversity – yet still manages to be fun,’ the ranking said of the bar.

It even has an in-house lab, which you can visit, as the bar blends food science with Brazilian native flora.

What to order? Try the whisky-forward Eróica made with uvaia fruit, mango, chamomile and coconut water, or a negroni with whisky and chocolate.

21. Tres Monos, Buenos Aires

For a punky vibe, head to Tres Monos in Buenos Aires, a dive bar with an intimate space for drinking.

It’s lit up by neon lights, and the walls are covered in graffiti – and there’s often a live DJ in situ.

‘Awesome kitschy dive bar’, is how one visitor described it, adding: ‘Vibe is fun, high energy, grunge-y dark room neon lights, loud (pretty good) music.’

22. Mamba Negra, Medellín

Perched high up in Medellín is Mamba Negra, with stunning panoramic views of the city, a live salsa band or DJ and a circular bar that draws your eye in.

The theme is undoubtedly Colombian, and you can book ahead for the eight-cocktail tasting menu paired with small bites.

‘Put this on your list!’ one visitor suggests three-quarters of the way up the mountain overlooking Medellin.’

23. De Vie, Paris 

Rye bread molasses, charred pepper spirit and beetroot feature as flavours and ingredients on the drinks menu at this stunning, minimalist French bar.

You can order a la carte or opt for an immersive tasting menu, and there’s also a fine-dining counter if you fancy a bite to eat. 

One guest said: ‘Incredible experience! This was such a well done tasting! The vibe was super cool and relaxed. The food and cocktail pairings were excellent!’

24. Himkok, Oslo 

The only Oslo establishment to make the cut is Himkok, easy to miss from the outside – but worth looking out for.

A bar, distillery and even a barbershop, this Scandi pick features low lighting, dark leather and moody furnishings, and the drinks truly shine.

Try Softis, a cocktail based on soft-serve ice cream cones, while you’re there.

Visitors have praised its Nordic-forward design and flavours, as well as the dark, cosy ambience and beer.

25. Argo, Hong Kong 

‘Taking its name from the ship that sailed Jason and the Argonauts to the Golden Fleece in the tales of ancient Greece, Argo’s drinks are just as legendary as its namesake,’ The 50 says, placing it 25th.

Located in Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel, it’s a luxury spot with a focus on the future.

Expect AI-produced gin and molecular-aged whiskey, among other peculiar inventions.