FOR the first time since 2019, The World’s 50 Best Bars were awarded in a live ceremony in London this week with the ceremony taking place at the Roundhouse (and on Facebook Live).
This year’s winner was the same as last year’s: London’s Connaught Bar, at the Connaught Hotel. “The hotel has actually been open for over a century. Since the tenure of Agostino Perrone, it has been growing in stature for the past decade, helping to reinvent the martini cocktail and show the world precisely how good, intuitive, and interactive service can be,” said Mark Sansom, Content Editor for The World’s 50 Best Bars, during the awards ceremony.
Upon accepting his award, Director of Mixology at the Connaught Mr. Perrone said, “The sky is very dark out there. Only one star can shine… if it’s all of us: we are all the stars in this room tonight. We’re going to shine. We’re going to make a beautiful sky for the people who are lost out there.
The awards are organized annually by William Reed Business Media, the same company behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The awards are chosen by 600 voters, with the world divided into 28 regions, headed by the same number of Chairs.
“Voters are simply asked to name the seven bars in which they have enjoyed the best experience over the previous 18 months. There are no pre-determined criteria, though there are strict voting rules. Voters must have visited the bars they vote for during the voting period, and they cannot self-nominate or nominate a bar in which they have any financial interest. Guest bar shifts and pop-ups do not qualify for votes,” says their website.
Singapore had the most number of bars on the list with five, followed by Mexico City with four. London, New York, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Buenos Aires, and Sydney all had three bars each on the list.
“We salute you for your ongoing work in supporting the promotion of the hospitality sector, and indeed for helping us push 50 Best forward with the right values to the fore,” said Mr. Sansom at the awarding ceremony.
“There’s little I can say about the last 20-odd months that has not been said already. But I will tell you that it is good to be back.” — JLG
The World’s 50 Best Bars list follows:
1.) Connaught Bar: London, UK
2.) Tayer + Elementary: London, UK
3.) Paradiso: Barcelona,Spain
4.) The Clumsies: Athens, Greece
5.) Floreria Atlantico: Buenos Aires, Argentina
6.) Licoreria Limantour: Mexico City, Mexico
7.) Coa: Hong Kong, China
8.) El Copitas: St Petersburg, Russia
9.) Jigger & Pony: Singapore
10.) Katana Kitten: New York, USA
11.) Two Schmucks: Barcelona, Spain
12.) Hanky Panky: Mexico City, Mexico
13.) Insider Bar: Moscow, Russia
14.) Baba Au Rum: Athens, Greece
15.) Manhattan: Singapore
16.) Atlas: Singapore
17.) Zuma: Dubai, UAE
18.) The SG Club: Tokyo, Japan
19.) Drink Kong: Rome, Italy
20.) 1930: Milan, Italy
21.) Presidente: Buenos Aires, Argentina
22.) Maybe Sammy: Sydney, Australia
23.) Cantina OK!: Sydney, Australia
24.) Salmon Guru: Madrid, Spain
25.) Handshake Speakeasy: Mexico City, Mexico
26.) No Sleep Club: Singapore
27.) Camparino in Galleria: Milan, Italy
28.) Cafe La Trova: Miami, USA
29.) Little Red Door: Paris, France
30.) Dante: New York, USA
31.) Kwant: London, UK
32.) Bar Benfiddich: Tokyo, Japan
33.) Tres Monos: Buenos Aires, Argentina
34.) Attaboy: New York, USA
35.) Lucy’s Flower Shop: Stockholm, Sweden
36.) MO Bar: Singapore
37.) Sips: Barcelona, Spain
38.) Baltra Bar: Mexico City, Mexico
39.) Sober Company: Shanghai, China
40.) Tjoget: Stockholm, Sweden
41.) Epic: Shanghai, China
42.) Charles H: Seoul, South Korea
43.) Tippling Club: Singapore
44.) Above Board: Melbourne, Australia
45.) Galaxy Bar: Dubai, UAE
46.) Re: Sydney: Australia
47.) Sidecar: New Delhi, India
48.) Union Trading Company: Shanghai, China
49.) Darkside: Hong Kong, China
50.) Quinary: Hong Kong, China