The world’s finest bars for 2024 have been revealed

A two-story speakeasy in Mexico City's trendy Colonia Juarez district has earned the title of the world's best bar. Handshake Speakeasy claimed the honor during an extravagant awards event in Madrid, hosted by the World’s 50 Best organization.

This remarkable feat is particularly impressive for a bar that only opened its downstairs doors in 2023. Handshake Speakeasy had ranked third last year.

A newcomer also took second place: Bar Leone in Hong Kong, an Italian-inspired venue dedicated to spreading the concept of 'cocktail populari,' or 'cocktail for the people,' was named the best bar in Asia.

In third place was Barcelona’s Sips, last year’s No. 1. Although relatively new, opening in 2021, Sips ascended to the top of the global rankings within two years, thanks to the star power behind it. One of its owners has an extensive background at the celebrated Spanish restaurant El Bulli, while the other honed his craft at London’s award-winning Artesian bar.

The remainder of the list featured bartenders and bar owners from cities as diverse as Athens, Tokyo, Sydney, and Lima.

Voters for the World’s 50 Best Bars include a blend of industry experts, such as bartenders and drinks journalists.

The organization characterizes its yearly ranking as 'a snapshot of the views and experiences of 700 global bar industry professionals,' emphasizing that judges are guided solely by their personal perspectives, without any specific criteria.

The seasoned pros

While fresh contenders made their mark in several top spots, well-established bars also proved they still have what it takes to remain at the forefront of the scene.

Singapore's Jigger & Pony has been a constant presence on the 50 Best list since its opening in 2012. Named Asia's No. 1 bar in 2020, the cocktail destination successfully weathered the challenges of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich, a beloved small bar in trendy Shinjuku, has been attracting long lines of patrons since 2013. This year, it claimed the No. 25 spot.

Hotel hotspots

Great news for travelers: some of this year’s most impressive cocktail bars are located within hotels, making them more accessible. Two of London’s most celebrated bars are based in hotels: Scarfes Bar, found on the ground floor of the luxurious Rosewood hotel, and Connaught Bar, situated in the chic Mayfair hotel that shares its name.

Mimi Kakushi, the only bar from Dubai on the list, is nestled within the opulent Four Seasons on Jumeirah Road. Inspired by a traditional Japanese hairstyle, it was crowned the Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa this year. In contrast, Singapore's Jigger & Pony is located in the understated Amara Hotel.

Travelers eager to visit as many award-winning bars as possible may want to explore London or New York City, each home to four bars in the top 50. Buenos Aires and Mexico City both boast three bars on the list.

Awards at the bar

The prestigious 'bartender's bartender' award, given each year to a mixologist by their peers, was presented to Iain McPherson of Edinburgh's Panda & Sons, which ranked 30th.

McPherson, a native of Scotland and the creator of a boozy ice cream line called Senor Scoops, was celebrated by his colleagues for his innovative and humorous style behind the bar.

'Thank you to everyone who voted for me and ranked me at this position. A big thanks to the incredible teams I collaborate with, who bring my ideas to life even better than I ever could,' he shared in an Instagram statement.

'Congratulations to everyone else on the list. I also understand it's impossible to include everyone who deserves a spot, so keep up the great work!'

The 50 Best Bars in the World for 2024