It had to be Spain. In October 2023, Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Power Station hosted a defining moment: Barcelona’s Sips, led by Simone Caporale, claimed the World’s 50 Best Bars top spot from crosstown rival Paradiso. Now in 2024, the awards, announced on October 22nd, moved to Madrid, where elegant boulevards frame a flourishing cocktail culture.
For 16 years, The World’s 50 Best Bars, partnered with Perrier, has tracked global cocktail excellence, culminating in an annual celebration that unites the world’s most innovative bar teams.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 rankings
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 rankings emerge from over 700 global experts—an equal mix of bartenders, drinks writers, consultants, and industry specialists. And each anonymous vote is independently verified by Deloitte.
A Look Back To The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023
That Singapore ceremony—the first-ever in Asia—highlighted the region’s rising influence. Plus, Singapore’s Night Hawk, a compact space blending Blade Runner aesthetics with Edward Hopper’s vision, won the inaugural Bareksten Best Bar Design Award, collected by owner Peter Chua.
South America made waves too: Buenos Aires’ Tres Monos secured both the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and No.11 ranking, while Cartagena’s Alquímico reached No.9, with Jean Trinh’s team celebrating in spectacular style with their signature smoke show.
Lima’s Lady Bee—named after the White Lady and Bee’s Knees classics—earned the Campari One To Watch award and No.52 spot.
At No.26, Saigon’s CoChinChina confirmed its ascent, with Inés de los Santos and Lucas Rothschild celebrating the French-Vietnamese bar’s success. And Lima struck again with Carnaval at No.42. Buenos Aires continued its influence: Renato ‘Tato’ Giovannoni, whose Florería Atlántico (No.30) opened in 2013, claimed the Roku Industry Icon Award. It adds to his 2020 Altos Bartenders’ Bartender title.
Further north, Mexico City dominated the 2023 rankings with four standouts: Handshake Speakeasy (No.3) in Colonia Juarez led the pack, followed by Licorería Limantour (No.7). Walter Meyenberg’s Hanky Panky hit No.22—famous for its nightly queues—while Baltra Bar, from Limantour’s José Luis Leon, secured No.45.
Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage—a 1914 survivor among skyscrapers—earned acclaim for its unique DJ-bartender setup. Sydney’s Maybe Sammy celebrated at No.15, claiming Best Bar in Australasia. New Orleans joined the cottage trend with Jewel of the South (No.49), serving contemporary takes on classics from a historic Creole house.
Zest Seoul (No.18) took Highest New Entry, focusing on Korean ingredients and house-made elements. Stockholm’s Röda Huset earned the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, while Gleneagles’ American Bar claimed Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu for their ‘Book of Berries.’
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024’s 51-100 Extended List
Before the awards, hosted at the Madrid Arena, the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 51-100 list was announced.
In the extended list, Athens had three entries: The Bar In Front Of The Bar (No.51), The Clumsies (No.60), and Barra Negro (No.68).
Singapore lead Asia with Cat Bite Club (No.56), Native (No.67), and Night Hawk (No.74). Tokyo’s The SG Club (No.54) was the highest of the region’s entries, joined by The Bellwood (No.89). Hong Kong bars Argo (No.58) and The Savory Project (No.82) both fared well, while Malaysia debuted with Penrose (No.98)—the country’s first listing since 2021. Seoul (Bar Cham, No.71), Guangzhou (Hope & Sesame, No.63), and Bangkok (Vesper, No.85) complete Asia’s showing.
Overall, powerhouses London and New York dominated with four spots each, including Kwãnt Mayfair (No.52) and Dante (No.79). And Hiriketiya, Melbourne, Johannesburg, Paris, and Madrid each secured single entries.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024’s 51-100 Pre-Announced Awards
Also revealed in advance was the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award winner 2024 and the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.
Behind their unassuming brick facade, Caretaker’s Cottage have been contentedly mixing pub warmth with cocktail expertise. The 50-seat Melbourne venue, opened by industry veterans in 2022, centers on three pillars: Guinness, martinis, and vinyl. Their monthly menus and ‘see you tomorrow’ philosophy earned them 2024’s Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award—proving great hospitality isn’t about the space, but the spirit within.
And The Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, was awarded to Iain McPherson, owner of award-winning Edinburgh cocktail bars Panda & Sons, Hoot The Redeemer, and Nauticus, who has been pioneering techniques in what he calls the ‘freezing realm’ – using techniques like freeze drying to create drinks.
“You know when you see someone eating gelato and you see that look of joy on their faces? I see that same expression when people drink our cocktails,” Iain told us after the announcement.
“Everyone automatically associates cold with darkness and sadness, and warmth with positivity. But I think freezing techniques are bringing joy and warmth to people. That’s my magical power.”
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 Announced
And so, on the evening of 22 October, the Madrid Arena red carpet welcomed the world’s best bars, with a recap of the 51-100 list before getting down to announcing this year’s No.1 – officially The World’s Best Bar 2024, again sponsored by Perrier.
Who Won At The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024?
Besides the main countdown, the evening handed out region awards – for the number one bar in each continent. And other special awards included The Bareksten Best Bar Design Award 2024, given to Himkok, Oslo.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 gave the The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2024 to London’s Lyaness.
The Roku Industry Icon Award 2024, at The World’s 50 Best Bars went to Monica Berg, from Tayer + Elementary. The Disaronno Highest New Entry Award 2024 went to Hong Kong’s Bar Leone at No.2. The London Essence Best New Opening Award 2024 went to Super Bueno in New York City.
Then The Nikka Highest Climber Award 2024, went to the pub first opened in 2019, and at No.19, Cambridge Public House.
The Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award 2024 went to Floreria Atlantic at No. 46.
The Campari One To Watch Award 2024, from the 51-100 list, went to the feline-inspired Cat Bite Club from Singapore. The 50 Best Bar’s Roku Scholarship — a reminder of the 50 Best’s commitment to global excellent — from three finalists, went to Calliope Draper.
And The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2024 went to the bar at No.9 and independently adjudicated by the World’s 50 Best Bar’s sustainability partner, Zest, in Seoul, Korea.
The List Of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024
And finally here’s the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024:
50. 1930 Milan, Italy
49. Danico Paris, France (New Entry)
48. El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara (New Entry)
47. Analogue Initiative, Singapore (New Entry)
46. Floreria Atlantico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
45. Roda Huest, Stockholm, Sweden
44. La Sala De Laura, Bogota, Colombia (New Entry)
43. Atlas, Singapore
42. Virtu, Tokyo, Japan (New Entry)
41.Bar Us, Bangkok, Thailand (New Entry)
40. Mimi Kakushi (The Best Bar In The Middle East & Africa)
39. Bar Nouveau, Paris, France (New Entry)
38. Moebius Milano, Milan, Italy (New Entry)
37. Scarfes Bar, London, England
36. Locale Firenze, Florence, Italy
35. Byrdi, Melbourne, Australia
34. Jewel of the Sourh, New Orleans, USA
33. Drink Kong, Rome, Italy
32. Licoria Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico
31. Tan Tan, São Paulo, Brazil (New Entry)
30. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, Scotland
29. Satan’s Whiskers, London, England
28. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore (New Entry)
27. Super Bueno, New York, USA
26. Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia
25. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
24. Martiny’s New York, USA (New Entry)
23. Salmon Guru, Madrid, Spain
22. Cochichina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
21. Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, Australia (The Best Bar In Australasia)
20. Tlecan, Mexico Ciry, Mexico (New Entry)
19. Cambridge Public House, Paris, France
18. Coa, Hong Kong
17. Baba Au Rum, Athens, Greece
16. Lady Bee, Lima, Peru (New Entry)
15. Overstory, New York, USA
14. Double Chicken Please, New York, USA
13. Connaught Bar, London, England
12. BKK Social Club, Bangkok, Thailand
11. Himkok, Oslo, Norway
10. Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
9. Zest, Seoul, Korean
8. Alquimico, Cartagena, Colombia
7. Tres Monos, Buenos Aires, Argentina (The Best Bar In South America)
6. Line, Athens, Greece
5. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
4. Tayer + Elementary, London, England
3. Sips, Barcelona, Spain (The Best Bar In Europe)
2. Bar Leone, Hong Kong (New Entry & The Best Bar In Asia)
1. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico (The Best Bar In North America & The World’s Best Bar)