The list represents the ultimate guide to the top bars and drinking destinations around the globe, with restaurant bars, speakeasies and hotel bars all contributing to the eclectic list. This year’s ranking includes bars from 24 cities in 19 countries, and boasts a total of 7 new entries and 4 re-entries.
Highlights include:
- Countries: US cocktail culture is booming with 13 bars featured, including 7 from New York
- Regions: Asia boasts a total of 12 bars with entries from Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai and, for the first time, Taiwan.
- The American Bar at The Savoy in London is crowned The World’s Best Bar and Best Bar in Europe, sponsored by Tanqueray.
- Singapore’s Manhattan (No.7) takes home the Best Bar in Asia title, sponsored by Michter’s, for the second time
- Atlas in Singapore debuts at No.15 and takes the Highest New Entry award, sponsored by Ketel One Vodka
- Black Pearl of Melbourne takes home two awards as it is Best Bar in Australasia, sponsored by Seedlip, for the second time and is also named Legend of the List, sponsored by Suze
- Mexico City bar Licorería Limantour (No.14) is awarded Best Bar in Latin America, sponsored by Heering Cherry Liqueur, for the third consecutive year
- The Best Bar in the Middle East & Africa award, sponsored by Asahi, goes to Tel Aviv’s Imperial Craft
- Florería Atlántico from Buenos Aires takes the Highest Climber award, sponsored by Torres Brandy, jumping an impressive 26 places to No.23.
- The Best New Opening, sponsored by Thomas Henry, is awarded to BlackTail in New York, from the team behind 2016 winner The Dead Rabbit.
- The new award for Bartenders’ Bartender, sponsored by Olmeca Altos, goes to Iain Griffiths of Dandelyan and Trash Tiki fame.
- Julio Bermejo of Tommy’s in San Francisco receives the first ever Industry Icon award, sponsored by Botran Rum.
- Barcelona bar Paradiso is named One To Watch, sponsored by Bols Genever, after entering the 51-100 list at No.67.
Cities
London its retains crown as the cocktail capital of the world with 8 bars in The World’s 50 Best Bars and 4 in the top 10 – The NoMad, New York, ranked at No.3, is crowned Best Bar in North America, sponsored by Nikka Whisky.
London claims the top spot with American Bar, located within The Savoy, one of the world’s most recognised hotels. Winning the accolade for the first time, American Bar takes the title from the 2016 No.1, The Dead Rabbit in New York.
Since its first appearance in The World’s 50 Best Bars six years ago, American Bar has featured four times in the top 10. In 2010, following an extensive three-year refurbishment, the bar reopened under head bartender Erik Lorincz and bar manager Declan McGurk, who continue to lead the team today. American Bar boasts over 125 years of cocktail history and stories and has seen industry legends, including Ada Coleman, Harry Craddock and Peter Dorrelli, mix drinks behind its bar. The current team continues this fine tradition of leading the bar industry, with both iconic and modern serves on the menu.
While London leads the city rankings, US is home to the most bars on the list, led by The NoMad at NoMad Hotel taking home the award for Best Bar in North America. Showcasing an extensive cocktail heritage and buoyant contemporary cocktail scene, 13 North American bars are included, seven of which hail from New York, and two of which are in the top ten. Other US cities on the list are San Francisco, Miami, and Chicago.
Other US highlights include:
- New York bar Attaboy joins the top ten at No.8
- New York bars also on the list include Dante (No.16), Employees Only (No.37) and Mace (No.42) as well as last year’s champion The Dead Rabbit (No.5) and its sister bar BlackTail, a new entry for 2017 at No.32.
- San Francisco stalwart Trick Dog (No.26) is joined by ABV (No.46) as well as an exciting re-entry from Tommy’s (No.48), with its owner-operator Julio Bermejo winning the first ever Industry Icon award, sponsored by Botran Rum.
- Miami adds another bar to its portfolio as Sweet Liberty (No.27) joins Broken Shaker (No.18) in the ranks.
- Europe contains 19 bars included within the ranking. Once again, London boasts more entries in The World’s 50 Best Bars ranking than any other city with eight, and an impressive four in the top 10. Dandelyan from the Mondrian London takes second place with Connaught Bar at the eponymous hotel at No.4 and Bar Termini climbing 21 places to No.9.Further UK highlights include:
- Dandelyan (No.2) continues to climb the rankings after winning Highest New Entry in 2016, with bartender Iain Griffiths being awarded the Bartenders’ Bartender prize, sponsored by Olmeca Altos
- Nightjar (No.43) is again joined by sister venue Oriole (No.17) in the 50 Best
- East London hotspots Happiness Forgets (No.12) and The Gibson (No.21) continue their regular appearances in The World’s 50 Best Bars.
Other European highlights include:
- Greece leads the way for the rest of Europe with Athens bars The Clumsies at No.6 and Baba Au Rum (No.30), both making the list for a second year. They are joined by Lost & Found (No.29) in Cyprus
- Little Red Door (No.11) climbs 13 places, making it the highest ranked bar in France with other Parisian destinations Candelaria (No.19) and Le Syndicat (No.34) also making the list
- For the second year, Sweden and Norway have bars featured, with entries from Stockholm’s Linje Tio (No.44) and Oslo’s Himkok (No.20)
- Tales & Spirits in Amsterdam represents The Netherlands at No.35
- Jerry Thomas Speakeasy in Rome retains its position as the best bar in Italy at No.33
- Schumann’s in Munich re-enters the list and is the highest ranked bar in Germany at No.38Asia saw an additional four bars join the elite list this year to bring the region’s total to 12, more than ever before. Manhattan (No.7) in Singapore takes the title of Best Bar in Asia and is joined by six other Singaporean bars to double its representation on the list since 2016, demonstrating the increase in quality drinking destinations from a city steeped in cocktail history.
Other Asia highlights include:
- Speak Low (No.10) in Shanghai joins Manhattan in the top 10
- Atlas, Singapore, takes the award for Highest New Entry, sponsored by Ketel One Vodka in the list at No.15.
- Hong Kong bars continue to perform well with Quinary (No.40) and Lobster Bar (No.49) making the rankings once again.
- Indulge Experimental Bistro (No.28) marks Taiwan’s debut in the list as the Taipei bar is the first ever to be ranked in the 50 Best.Latin America continues to rise as a drinking destination with Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires, taking the award for Highest Climber, sponsored by Torres Brandy, rising an incredible 26 spots to No.23. Mexico City’s Licorería Limantour, number 14, retains the title of Best Bar in Latin America, sponsored by Heering Cherry Liqueur, for the third year in a row.
Representatives from the world’s leading bars flew into London to attend the awards, along with internationally renowned industry figures, media and celebrity supporters. The list and event are now fully owned and organised by William Reed Business Media, the company behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.