The World's 50 Best Bars

The World's 50 Best Bars was first published in 2009 by William Reed, a British media company known for its hospitality and food industry events. The ranking was created to mirror the success of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, which had been running since 2002. The inaugural list was dominated by London and New York venues, with the London cocktail bar Nightjar taking the top spot.¹

The voting process involves an academy of over 600 members, each of whom casts votes for their personal favorite bars. The academy is divided into regional panels, and voters are selected for their expertise in the cocktail and spirits industry. The results are audited by the professional services firm Deloitte to ensure integrity. The methodology has evolved over the years, with a focus on promoting diversity and recognizing bars from a wider range of countries.

The ranking has had a profound impact on the global cocktail scene, turning previously obscure bars into international destinations. Being named to the list often leads to a surge in tourism, with cocktail enthusiasts traveling to visit the top-ranked venues. For example, when the Connaught Bar in London was named the world's best in 2020 and 2021, it saw a significant increase in international visitors.

The list has also influenced bartending trends, as bars strive to innovate to secure a place. The emphasis on sustainability, local ingredients, and unique storytelling in cocktails has been partly driven by the competition. Additionally, the awards have helped professionalize the bartending trade, with many bartenders gaining celebrity status and moving on to open their own acclaimed venues.²

Several bars have achieved multiple top rankings. The Connaught Bar in London has been named the world's best three times (2020, 2021, and 2022), a record for the list. Other repeat winners include the American Bar at The Savoy in London, which won in 2017, and the Dead Rabbit in New York, which won in 2016. The first winner, Nightjar, remains a prominent name in the industry.

The list has also seen a growing number of bars from Asia and Latin America. In 2023, the top spot went to Sips in Barcelona, marking the first time a Spanish bar topped the list. The ranking has been criticized for its focus on Western cities, but recent editions have included bars from Singapore, Tokyo, and Mexico City, reflecting a more global perspective.

Beyond the main list, The World's 50 Best Bars also publishes several special awards, including the 'Art of Hospitality' award, the 'Sustainable Bar Award', and the 'Michter's Sazarac Award' for bartender of the year. These sub-categories highlight aspects of bar culture that are not solely about cocktail quality, such as service, sustainability, and individual craft.³

The voting academy is not static; members are re-selected annually, and there is a deliberate effort to include a balance of genders and regions. The list also includes a '50-100' extension, which ranks bars from 51 to 100, providing broader recognition. However, the methodology has faced scrutiny, with some critics arguing that the voting system favors well-known bars and that the results are not always representative of the best bars in the world. Despite this, the list remains a key reference for industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts.

William Reed

British media company that publishes The World's 50 Best Bars and The World's 50 Best Restaurants.

Academy

A group of over 600 industry experts who vote to determine the ranking.

Connaught Bar

A bar in London that has been named the world's best three times.