More than 800 professionals from the bar and beverage industry take part in selecting The World's 50 Best Bars, one of the industry's most prominent international rankings. Unlike rankings based on a fixed scoring system, this one has no uniform set of criteria. Instead, voters are asked to choose the establishments where they have enjoyed their best drinking experiences.
The list is compiled by British company William Reed, which also produces The World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking. For voting purposes, the world is divided into 29 regions, each with a panel of bartenders, bar owners, drinks writers, industry professionals and cocktail experts. The academy's membership is updated annually, with some members replaced to maintain geographic and professional diversity.
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More than 800 industry professionals determine the rankings
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Each voter is asked to select eight bars they have visited during the 18 months preceding the vote. Voting is confidential, and participants are prohibited from selecting any bar in which they have a financial interest. The process is independently audited.
Because there are no separate scores for service, design, price or cocktail quality, there are also no official judges' explanations for each bar's placement. Instead, the results reflect the collective preferences of hundreds of voters, offering an annual snapshot of the world's leading bars, from long-established institutions to relatively new venues that have already risen to the top.
1. Bar Leone, Hong Kong
Bar Leone was named the world's best bar for the second consecutive year. Opened in 2023 by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, the establishment focuses on classic Italian cocktails and a relatively straightforward approach to mixology. Its consistency, service and precision in preparation are particularly noteworthy.
2. Moebius Milano, Milan
Moebius Milano took second place and was named the best bar in Europe. The venue brings together a cocktail bar, dining, live performances and music under one roof. Its cocktails often incorporate techniques and ingredients more commonly associated with the culinary world.
Moebius Milano in Milan, Italy, was named Europe's best bar
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3. Alquímico, Cartagena
Colombia's Alquímico ranked third and was named the best bar in South America. The venue spans three floors, each with its own distinct character, and incorporates ingredients sourced from local agricultural projects. It also received this year's hospitality award.
4. Bar Us, Bangkok
Bangkok's Bar Us came in fourth. Its menu translates flavors and techniques from Thai cuisine into cocktails, including fermentation, pickling and distillation. Drinks are served in a sequence resembling a meal, from the opening course to the finale.
5. Line, Athens
Athens' Line ranked fifth and also received the ranking's sustainability award. The establishment produces some of its own beverages and ingredients, while leftovers from the preparation process are repurposed in other drinks and dishes.
6. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
Handshake Speakeasy ranked sixth, making it the highest-ranked bar in North America. The bar is known for its technically sophisticated preparation methods, including clarification, infusion and other processes carried out behind the scenes. Much of its menu centers on tequila, mezcal and Mexican ingredients.
7. Zest, Seoul
Seoul's Zest placed seventh. The bar emphasizes Korean ingredients and waste reduction, partly by reusing peels, vegetables and leftovers from the preparation process. It also produces its own soda and tonic water.
8. Connaught Bar, London
London's Connaught Bar came in eighth, maintaining its position as one of the most established and consistently highly ranked bars on the list. It is particularly known for its martinis, prepared tableside for guests. Unlike many of the concept-driven bars on the list, Connaught Bar relies primarily on classic cocktails and meticulous service.
9. Lady Bee, Lima
Lima's Lady Bee ranked ninth. Its menu draws heavily on Peruvian ingredients, including pisco, Amazonian fruits and produce from the Andes. The establishment works directly with local farmers and producers, combining cocktails with food.
10. Bar Mauro, Mexico City
Mexico City's Bar Mauro rounds out the top 10. Opened in late 2024, the venue combines Italian aperitivo culture with Mexican ingredients and flavors. This year, it also received the award for the highest new entry in the ranking.
And what about the rest of the list? Positions 11 through 50 also reflect broad geographic diversity, with a strong showing from cities that have become international cocktail hubs.
New York, Paris, Hong Kong, London, Bangkok and Athens each have multiple representatives on the list, alongside bars from Barcelona, Tokyo, Singapore, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Dubai, Madrid and other cities.
New York's Schmuck ranks 11th, followed by Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou and The Cambridge Public House in Paris. Madrid's Angelita closes out the list in 50th place.