The 50 Best Bars in the World, 2017 Edition

What’s the secret behind crafting the world’s top bar? In 2017, it’s a mix of luxurious hotel vibes, timeless Art Deco style, and a century-plus of dedication.

This formula clearly worked for London's iconic American Bar at the Savoy, which was crowned the world’s best cocktail destination at a star-studded awards ceremony in the UK capital.

The excitement was palpable, with cheers ringing out and drinks spilling as the number one spot on the 2017 World’s 50 Best Bars list was awarded to a local London favorite.

GALLERY: Explore images of the world’s top bars

The Savoy's victory marked a comeback for London. After relinquishing the top spot to New York City's Dead Rabbit Irish Bar the previous year, London now boasts an unmatched eight bars in the 2017 Top 50.

"We truly didn’t expect this," said Dominic Whisson, senior bartender at the Savoy, wiping away tears of joy. "This win is for all of us, for the countless late nights, early mornings, and long hours."

Pure excitement.

The Savoy, making its first appearance at number one, was joined in the top three by two more hotel bars: Dandelyan at the Mondrian Hotel on the London riverside, and the opulent NoMad in New York City.

With the Connaught Bar, another iconic London hotel venue, landing at number four, last year’s winner slipped to fifth place.

The top 10 list was completed by Athens' cozy The Clumsies at number six, Singapore’s Manhattan at the Regent Hotel at seven, New York’s Attaboy at eight, London’s Bar Termini at nine, and Shanghai’s discreet Speak Low at ten.

Chosen by a panel of 500 global judges, the Savoy earned accolades for its perfect blend of tradition and modern flair – praise that bartender Whisson feels is well-deserved.

"There are several bars with the same flair as the Savoy," Whisson notes. "But I believe ours is truly unique. We bear the weight of the bar’s rich history, something you can’t find anywhere else."

Other notable London bars on the list include Happiness Forgets at number 12, Oriole at 17, The Gibson at 21, and Nightjar at 43.

New York followed with the second-highest number of bars – seven, with highlights including the vibrant Dante at 16, the sequel to Dead Rabbit, BlackTail at 32, the iconic Employees Only at 37, and the bold Mace in the East Village at 42. Meanwhile, Singapore emerged as a new hotspot for top bars.

(Click through the gallery above to view images of the top 25 bars on this year’s list.)

A thriving scene.

Singapore now boasts six bars in the top 50. Along with Manhattan at number five, the list includes gin-focused Atlas at 15, Operation Dagger at 24, 28 Hongkong Street at 25, the Tippling Club at 31, and Native at 47.

"It’s a fresh and very dynamic scene," says Roman Foltan, head bartender at Atlas, the highest new entry on the 50 Best Bars list. "People are eager to experiment, not only in Singapore, but also in other Asian cities like Hong Kong and Bangkok."

William Drew, group editor for The World’s 50 Best Bars, explains that while many bars go to great lengths to market themselves, particularly in the age of social media, true success still hinges on service quality, authentic atmosphere, and, above all, happy customers.

"There's a lot of focus on how bars generate buzz through social media," he tells Dinogo. "But if a bar is truly exceptional, even if it’s hidden away and not widely known, word will spread, and people will come."

And when guests arrive at the Savoy Bar, Whisson and his team of bartenders will be ready and waiting.

"It’s a victory to be proud of," he reflects on his venue’s win in the nine-year-old competition. "But tomorrow, we’ll be back behind the bar, doing what we do best."

The World’s 50 Best Bars

1. American Bar, London

2. Dandelyan, London

3. NoMad Bar, New York City

4. Connaught Bar, London

5. The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, New York City

6. The Clumsies, Athens

7. Manhattan, Singapore

8. Attaboy, New York

9. Bar Termini, London

10. Speak Low, Shanghai

11. Little Red Door, Paris

12. Happiness Forgets, London

13. High Five, Tokyo

14. Licoreria Limantour, Mexico City

15. Atlas, Singapore

16. Dante, New York City

17. Oriole, London

18. The Broken Shaker, Miami

19. Candelaria, Paris

20. Himkok, Oslo

21. The Gibson, London

22. Black Pearl, Melbourne, Australia

23. Floreria Atlantico, Buenos Aires

24. Operation Dagger, Singapore

25. 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore

26. Trick Dog, San Francisco

27. Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company, Miami

28. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei

29. Lost & Found, Nicosia

30. Baba Au Rum, Athens

31. Tippling Club, Singapore

32. BlackTail, New York City

33. The Jerry Thomas Project, Rome

34. Le Syndicat, Paris

35. Tales & Spirits, Amsterdam

36. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo

37. Employees Only, New York City

38. Schumann’s, Munich, Germany

39. La Factoria, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

40. Quinary, Hong Kong

41. Aviary, Chicago

42. Mace, New York City

43. Nightjar, London

44. Linje Tio, Stockholm

45. The Baxter Inn, Sydney

46. ABV, San Francisco

47. Native, Singapore

48. Tommy’s, San Francisco

49. Lobster Bar, Hong Kong

50. Imperial Craft, Tel Aviv