The latest edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars was unveiled at an awards ceremony in Singapore, marking the first time the event took place in Asia. The ceremony honoured the top bars and individuals shaping the international cocktail scene, recognizing the visionary bartenders, innovative bar owners, and pioneering brands within the industry.
Sips in Barcelona was crowned ‘The World’s Best Bar’, the second time in consecutive years a bar from Barcelona has taken out the title. Situated in Barcelona’s L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample district, Sips is a collaboration between Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, known for their combination of sophisticated design and inventive mixology that offers high-quality drinks at reasonable prices.
London continued its strong presence with five bars on the list, including Connaught Bar at No.5 and Tayēr + Elementary at No.8. The list also featured Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons and several bars from East London and Italy.
Barcelona demonstrated its bar scene prowess with two top-five entries: Sips at No.1 and Paradiso at No.4, while Madrid’s Salmon Guru secured the No.16 spot.
Australia also made its mark, with Maybe Sammy from Sydney rising to No.15 and Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage debuting at No.23. Rob Uldis Libecans, the Director of Caretaker’s Cottage, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the venue’s unique pub-like atmosphere and its welcoming community.
Stefano Catino, co-founder of Maybe Sammy, expressed pride in the team’s hard work and commitment to constantly improving all aspects of their business. Both bars highlighted their dedication to evolving menus, providing excellent customer experiences, and fostering an innovative atmosphere within their venues. They emphasized the importance of staying dynamic and continuously enhancing their offerings in the world of mixology and hospitality.
The 50 Best Bars list not only celebrates excellence and innovation within the drinks industry but also serves as a platform for these establishments to share their stories and inspire a global audience. The move of the event to Singapore underscored the global nature of the drinks industry and highlighted the diverse contributions made by bars and mixologists worldwide.