The world’s top bar of 2018 is shutting down permanently

Want to sample the cocktails at the bar ranked number one on the World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2018? You’d better hurry up.

Dandelyan, an upscale hotel bar on London’s South Bank along the Thames, was crowned the best bar on the planet at an October ceremony in London.

Just two days before, it had announced its permanent closure.

“I’m in shock,” said a stunned Ryan Chetiyawardana, the head mixologist, shortly after accepting the prestigious award and sheepishly confessing to the crowd that he was ‘shutting down’ his celebrated bar.

“In many ways, this is the most fitting outcome,” he said. “We’ve put in so much effort and passion, and now we’ve reached the peak of the industry.”

The closing of Dandelyan in early 2019, located on the ground floor of the ultra-stylish, yet oddly named Mondrian London Hotel at Sea Containers, will surely disappoint countless fans who flock to the dimly lit, if somewhat bold, space to savor its signature botanical cocktails.

‘Push boundaries and innovate’

However, Chetiyawardana, also known as Mr. Lyan, revealed that his 32-person team would open a new bar in Dandelyan’s place – a fresh venture he hopes will inspire others to ‘innovate and challenge’ the drinks industry.

Or perhaps, it might send patrons back to the welcoming embrace of the American Bar at the Savoy, which won the best bar title in 2017 and claimed this year’s runner-up position.

Unlike Dandelyan’s relatively short existence, the American Bar, with its art deco charm, has been mixing iconic cocktails for over 125 years.

Despite the upcoming closure of its top-rated luxury cocktail venue, London’s dominance in the global drinks scene remains unmatched, according to the 2018 rankings. The UK capital boasts 10 bars in the top 50, while its closest rival, New York, has six.

However, this transatlantic supremacy could soon be challenged. Singapore’s elegant and upscale Manhattan bar, which claimed third place this year, signals a growing cocktail scene that could one day rival the world’s best.

Singapore had five bars featured in the top 50, with gin and champagne-focused Atlas at number eight, the biggest riser Native at 13, perennial favorite Operation Dagger at 23, and 28 Hong Kong Street at 34.

London’s representation included the decade-old Connaught Bar (also named 'Legend of the List') at number five, Bar Termini in Soho at six, tropical hotspot The Oriole at 17, apple-centric Coupette at 18, wild ingredient specialists Scout at 28, minimalist Three Sheets at 29, the cozy Happiness Forgets at 35, and the two-year-old Swift at 46.

Elite list

Ranked fourth, New York’s highest-rated bar – and North America’s – is The NoMad, an upscale cocktail lounge located within a hotel of the same name. Close behind at number nine is the iconic Greenwich Village staple Dante, followed by Attaboy at 15, past winner The Dead Rabbit at 16, long-time favorite Employees Only at 26, and BlackTail at 41.

Asia’s growing influence on the Best Bars list was bolstered by Hong Kong’s Hemingway-inspired Old Man at number 10, the highest new entry. Other notable spots from the region included Tokyo’s High Five at 12 and Shanghai’s classic speakeasy Speak Low at 20.

Melbourne’s beloved Black Pearl claimed the title of best bar in Australasia at number 30, while Buenos Aires’ Floreria Atlantico secured 14th place and the title of best bar in South America. Beirut’s Central Station, a railway-themed venue, was named the best in the Middle East and Africa.

Can’t find your favorite local dive on the full list below? William Drew, group editor of the UK-based 50 Best Bars, explains that while global drinking standards are rising, impressing the 510 anonymous judges of the awards takes considerable effort.

“By its very nature, it’s a highly exclusive list,” he told Dinogo. “If your local dive bar became a global destination, it might make the list. But it has to be more than just a local favorite. It needs to gain a reputation that transcends borders.”

Additionally, this year’s winner, Chetiyawardana, notes that being situated in the UK capital doesn’t hurt either.

“London is unquestionably the best city in the world for food and drink,” he added.

The World’s 50 Best Bars

1. Dandelyan (London)

2. American Bar at the Savoy (London)

3. Manhattan (Singapore)

4. The NoMad (New York City)

5. Connaught Bar (London)

6. Bar Termini (London)

7. The Clumsies (Greece)

8. Atlas (Singapore)

9. Dante (New York City)

10. The Old Man (Hong Kong)

11. Licoreria Limantour (Mexico City)

12. High Five (Tokyo)

13. Native (Singapore)

14. Floreria Atlantico (Buenos Aires)

15. Attaboy (New York City)

16. The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog (New York City)

17. Oriole (London)

18. Coupette (London)

19. Himkok (Oslo)

20. Speak Low (Shanghai)

21. Sweet Liberty (Miami)

22. Baba Au Rum (Athens)

23. Operation Dagger (Singapore)

24. Le Syndicat (Paris)

25. Lost & Found (Nicosia)

26. Employees Only (New York City)

27. Central Station (Beirut)

28. Scout (London)

29. Three Sheets (London)

30. Black Pearl (Melbourne)

31. Tales & Spirits (Amsterdam)

32. Linje Tio (Stockholm)

33. Little Red Door (Paris)

34. 28 Hongkong Street (Singapore)

35. Happiness Forgets (London)

36. La Factoria (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico)

37. Pardiso (Barcelona)

38. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei)

39. El Copitas (St. Petersburg)

40. Tommy’s (San Francisco)

41. BlackTail (New York)

42. Candelaria (Paris)

43. Schumann’s (Munich)

44. Trick Dog (San Francisco)

45. Fifty Mils (Mexico City)

46. Swift (London)

47. Salmon Guru (Madrid)

48. Buck and Breck (Berlin)

49. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)

50. Lost Lake (Chicago)