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The annual list of The 50 Best Bars was unveiled yesterday as part of a live awards ceremony in Milan, Italy.
In its 18th edition, the awards once again united the global bar community in recognition of the bartenders, bar owners and brands at the forefront of the international cocktail scene.The list of The 50 Best Bars 2026 features venues from an impressive 26 cities, with Hong Kong’s Bar Leone crowned The Best Bar in Asia and The World’s Best Bar. This is the second time the bar, which was the first ever No.1 from Asia in 2025, has taken the top spot.
For the first time ever, Paris has overtaken London to become Europe's most represented cocktail destination, and is tied globally for the city with the most bars, with four venues, accounting for almost a quarter of the continent's 18 entries: The Cambridge Public House (No.13), Bar Nouveau (No.15), new entry De Vie (No.23) and Danico (No.26).
Following closely behind, each with three bars on the list, are London and Athens. In the UK capital, Connaught Bar sits at No.8 and Satan’s Whisker’s at No.29, joined by new entrant Waltz at No.32, while Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons claimed the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. Athens is represented by Line (No.5) and The Bar in Front of the Bar (No.19), which climbed 28 places to secure the Nikka Highest Climber Award and newcomer Barro Negro (No.40).
The title of The Best Bar in Europe 2026 goes to Milan’s Moebius Milano, which ranks No.2. Elsewhere in Italy, Locale Firenze is No.33. In Spain, Barcelona’s Sips and Paradiso are at No.16 and No.17, respectively, while Paradiso was honoured with the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award. In Madrid, Angelita enters the ranking at No.50. Across the rest of Europe, Himkok in Oslo is No.24 while Bratislava’s Mirror Bar is No.34 and Tirana’s Nouvelle Vague is No.43.
With four bars on the list, New York once again demonstrates the depth of its cocktail scene, securing joint first place as the most represented city in the ranking. New entry and winner of the Three Cents Best New Opening Award, Schmuck debuts at No.11, alongside Sip & Guzzle (No.14), fellow newcomer Bar Snack (No.49) and Martiny’s (No.46). The city's influence was further recognised when Martiny’s co-founder and beverage director was named Altos Bartenders’ Bartender last month.
Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy claims the title of The Best Bar in North America at No.6. The city also boasts Bar Mauro at No.10, winner of the Highest New Entry Award and Tlecān at No.47. El Gallo Altanero in Guadalajara returns to the ranking at No.28.
In South America, Cartagena’s Alquímico is named The Best Bar in South America at No.3, following its recent recognition as the Art of Hospitality Award winner. In Medellín, Mamba Negra and Bar Carmen take No.22 and No.39, respectively. In Lima, Lady Bee continues its rise, moving up three places to No.9 and is joined by Sastrería Martinez (No.37). New entry Exímia debuts at No.20 alongside São Paulo neighbour Tan Tan at No.35. Buenos Aires favourite Tres Monos is at No.21 accompanied by new entry Victor Audio Bar at No.31.
Hong Kong has reclaimed its status as Asia's leading cocktail city, placing four bars in the ranking. Leading the charge is Bar Leone, ranked No.1 and retaining the titles of The World's Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier and The Best Bar in Asia. The city also welcomes back Argo at No.25 and celebrates two new entries: Montana at No.36 and Gokan at No.41. The latter’s founder, Shingo Gokan, was also honoured with the Industry Icon Award. Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou ranks No.12.
With three bars in the top 50, Bangkok remains close behind Hong Kong. Bar Us secures No.4, while new entry Dry Wave Cocktail Studio debuts at No.27 alongside BKK Social Club at No.30. Seoul’s Zest is at No.7.
Both Singapore and Tokyo place two bars in the ranking, represented by: Jigger & Pony (No.18), Nutmeg & Clove(No.38), Bar Benfiddich (No.44) and Virtù (No.48).
Retaining their titles for 2026 is Dubai’s Mimi Kakushi, The Best Bar in the Middle East, sponsored by Mancino Vermouth, at No.42 and Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage, The Best Bar in Australasia at No.45. The evening also saw Front/Back in Accra crowned The Best Bar in Africa. The venue, ranked at No.80, is one of two new entries from the city's capital to make the extended list, announced a fortnight ago, marking the Accra’s first-ever appearance in the ranking.
The ceremony celebrated Three Horses in Melbourne, ranked No.84 in the extended list announced two weeks ago and winner of the One to Watch Award. Saikindō in Abu Dhabi was bestowed with the Best Bar Design Award. Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons received the Best Cocktail Menu Award for Transcend. Shingo Gokan is named recipient of the Industry Icon Award.
Schmuck in New York is named Three Cents Best New Opening as the bar that enters the list in the highest position of any that have opened during the voting period, joining at No.11.
Athens’ The Bar in Front of the Bar secures the Highest Climber Award, rising 28 places to No.19. Paradiso in Barcelona is honoured with the Legend of the List Award, an award given to a bar that has performed most consistently in the list since its inception. Line in Athens has won the Sustainable Bar Award. Isa Mejia from Ecuador has been awarded The 50 Best Bars Scholarship and will complete two stages (internships) at Line in Athens (No.5) and Tres Monos (No.21) in Buenos Aires.
