Barcelona Shakes Up the World’s 50 Best Bars List
After a decade since the inaugural ceremony in London, the World’s 50 Best Bars gather again—this time in Barcelona’s historic La Cúpula de las Arenas. The city’s vibe and thirst for cocktail heritage made it the perfect stage for last night’s celebration.
Three Bars, One City, A New Record
- Paradiso clinched the #1 spot—the first bar outside London or New York to claim the crown.
- SIPS rang in as the second runner‑up, securing a #3 position.
- Two Schmucks padded into the top #7 slot, adding another Spanish star.
Why Barcelona Matters
The capital’s cocktail scene has long been emerging, but this event gives it a spotlight that’s long overdue. With three bars in the top ten, the city has proven it can throw a cocktail party that outshines even the famed capitals of London and New York.
Cheers to a New Era
From midnight swirls in Paradiso to craft‑eating ale in SIPS, Barcelona’s bartenders have poured history into their glasses. After all, who needs a giant London pub when you’ve got a Spanish rooftop that can be the world’s best? Cheers—or should we say, ¡Salud!
Asian Bars Are Shining—But Not as Bright as Before
During last year’s voting period, travel restrictions in the Asian heartland (think Hong Kong, Japan, China, and Taiwan) cut the number of local bars on the global-hotlist in half: from 16 to just 8. It’s a predictable outcome—less travel means fewer bar‑struck eyeballs.
Singapore’s Crown Jewel
Jigger & Pony didn’t just survive; it thrived, taking the Best Bar in Asia trophy right out of the pocket at No. 12. Talk about flinging the crown in the Singaporean pond!
Only Two of Us Made the Top 50
- Manhattan — No. 33 (yes, that’s a literal address in the city of light).
New Faces on the 51‑100 List
- Republic — No. 90
- Analogue — No. 65
- Sago House — No. 51
- 28 HongKong Street — No. 55
In short, while the continent’s logistics hiccup shrank the bar count, Singapore manages to keep a few shining with a mix of “big‑name” vibes and fresh new spots. Cheers to that!
Asia’s Bar Breakthroughs 2022
Across the continent, BKK Social Club in Bangkok storms in at No. 14 as the Best New Opening, while Tropic City peeks onto the list at No. 24. In Hong Kong, the Four Seasons’ Argo makes a splash debuting at No. 28, and Agave Temple Coa secures a solid spot at No. 17.
London and New York still hold their power, contributing a hefty 20 % of the total. “Tayer + Elementary” keeps its position on the podium at No. 2, whereas last year’s top spot, the Connaught Bar, slipped back by eight places.
- New Delhi counters with Sidecar at No. 26.
- Tokyo offers Bar Benfiddich at No. 48.
Latin America’s Rising Stars
In 2022, Latin America toasts itself with a robust presence. Licorería Limantour in Mexico City rockets up two spots to No. 4, clinching the Best Bar in North America again. Down South, Alquímico in Cartagena ranks at No. 10 as the Best Bar in South America, bolstered by its co‑founder, Jean Trinh, stealing the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. Meanwhile, Hanky Panky at No. 13 becomes the first Latin‑American spot to earn the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.
Key Takeaways
- Bangkok and Hong Kong each host two of the most talked‑about bars.
- Four Seasons expands its influence with Argo in Hong Kong.
- New Delhi’s Sidecar and Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich round out Asia’s domestic talents.
- Mexico City and Cartagena claim Europe’s spotlight with top honors.
New York’s High‑Flying Spirits: A Cocktail Chronicle
Grab a pen, a glass, and let’s dive into the city that never sleeps—this time, with a bar‑tour that’s truly flying high. The latest edition of the World’s 50 Best Bars is bubbling with surprises, and New York’s own double‑chicken cocktail just strutted its way to the top spot.
The Big Apple’s Crown Jewel
- Double Chicken – “No. 6.” It’s the goose‑egg‑shaped cocktail everyone’s talking about. A drizzle of charcoal smoke, a squeeze of lime, a splash of bourbon, and a splash of something that eclipses the usual club scene. If you’re still on nothing that could be labeled “air.”
- OG Employees Only – “No. 47.” The OG of the bar scene — only for the insiders. Think secret handshake, a worn leather signboard, and a recipe that’s only available to the people that’ve been at the bar since day one. They’ve come back, reclaiming the status they never let go of.
European Liberation on the Championship Stage
To balance the American dynamism, the World’s 50 Best Bars proudly opened its door to three European gems that’ve just entered the ranking.
- Locale Firenze – “No. 39.” The Florentine bar treats you to the smell of espresso, the feel of Carthage mosaics, and cocktails that look like little stolen pieces of younger Tuscany.
- Red Frogs – “No. 40.” A Portuguese wonder from Lisbon that’s turning the notion of “naïve” into “stadium.” You’ll feel it as soon as the house lights flicker. The place is an undeniable cause for celebration.
- L’Antiquario – “No. 46.” From Naples, this bar offers you an old-fashioned taste of the city; the pizza is an excellent side dish, while the cocktails come from a more professional, organized tradition. It’s a solid “hide‑away” that might function just as a basement.
Why It Matters
Two reasons for why you can’t miss the current clustering of high‑ranking bars: First, the entire list is pre-rated to thrill, which means we’re spiritually looking for the navigational equivalent of what’s happening psychologically right now. Second, it acts as a prop and we have a highly conflicting lineup. We must anchor this together.
So, dive into this list as you feel up to that 50 punch‑through chime. You never know whether you will decide from this television source highly or not. Cheers!
The Insane, Boozy Parade of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2022
Grab your favorite drink, sit back and let the world’s coolest cocktail havens flash across your screen. Some are classics, some are new‑wave wonders, and all of them offer a punch of culture, creativity, and that irresistible “you’ll never ask for a refund” vibe.
- Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain – Best Bar in Europe
- Tayēr + Elementary, London, UK
- SIPS, Barcelona, Spain – Highest Climber
- Two Schmucks, Barcelona, Spain
- Connaught Bar, London, UK
- Katana Kitten, New York, USA
- Alquimico, Cartagena, Colombia – Best Bar in South America
- Salmon Guru, Madrid, Spain
- Drink Kong, Rome, Italy
- Swim, Athens, Greece – NEW
- The Clumsies, Athens, Greece
- Baba Au Rum, Athens, Greece
- Café La Trova, Miami, USA
- Attaboy, New York, USA
- Satan’s Whiskers, London, UK – NEW
- Line, Athens, Greece – NEW
- Manhattan, Singapore – Asian entry in Europe
- Overstory, New York, USA – NEW
- 1930, Milan, Italy
- Dante, New York, USA
- A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK – NEW
- Locale Firenze, Florence, Italy – NEW
- Red Frog, Lisbon, Portugal – NEW
- L’Antiquario, Naples, Italy – NEW
- Employees Only, New York – Re-entry
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
- Lucy’s Flower Shop, Stockholm, Sweden
- Bulgari Bar, Dubai, UAE
- Galaxy Bar, Dubai, UAE
- Zuma, Dubai, UAE – Best Bar in Middle East & Africa
Europe’s Pulse (77% of the world’s best)
- Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico – Best Bar in North America
- Little Red Door, Paris, France – Ketel One Sustainable Award
- Double Chicken Please, New York, USA – Highest New Entry
- Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico
- Hanky Panky, Mexico City, Mexico
- BKK Social Club, Bangkok, Thailand – Best New Opening
- Tropic City, Bangkok, Thailand – NEW
- Kumiko, Chicago, USA – NEW
- Sidecar, New Delhi, India
- Cochinchina, Buenos Aires, Argentina – NEW
- Himkok, Oslo, Norway – Re-entry
- Carnaval, Lima, Peru – Re-entry
North America – Where the Wild Ones Live
- Jigger & Pony, Singapore – Best Bar in Asia
- Coa, Hong Kong
- Argo, Hong Kong – NEW
- Manhattan, Singapore – Asian entry in Europe
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
- Bulgari Bar, Dubai, UAE
- Galaxy Bar, Dubai, UAE
- Zuma, Dubai, UAE – Best Bar in Middle East & Africa
Asia’s Marvels (Bolded Above)
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia – Best Bar in Australasia
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
- Employees Only, New York – Re-entry
Australasia & Other Gems
Each of these places pulls the floor with something unique – a cocktail that might just cure your bad day, or a vibe that makes you feel like you’re part of a secret society. Grab a friend, book a reservation, and start tasting the world, one bar at a time.
