World’s Top 50 Bars 2019

Every year, the William Reed Business Media ranks the top 50 bars in the world (note they’re from the UK, so the list tends to skew UK/Singapore). It’s a great excuse to travel. After digging more into the bars, we can say that all of the bars featured are exceptional – but there’s often a lot of politics (bartenders have told us off-the-record that they will scour the reservations to try to figure out when the reviewers arrive).

We try to review the bars from a layperson’s perspective. Keep in mind that we go in on a random night (and not often) so your mileage may vary quite a lot in regards to the experience at the bar.

Things we tend to like:

  1. Good and inventive cocktails
  2. Exceptional bartenders
  3. Great place to meet new friends

The below are the newly updated 2019 World’s Best 50 Bars. The asterisked ones are the ones we personally recommend of those, with 3 stars being the most recommended:

  1. Dante, New York*
  2. Connaught Bar, London
  3. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
  4. The NoMad, New York ** (recommend)
  5. American Bar, London
  6. The Clumsies, Athens
  7. Attaboy, New York
  8. Atlas, Singapore
  9. The Old Man, Hong Kong
  10. Licoreria Limantour, Mexico City***
  11. Manhattan, Singapore***
  12. Native, Singapore
  13. Carnaval, Lima
  14. Katana Kitten, New York
  15. Guilhotina, São Paulo- Brazil
  16. Three Sheets, London
  17. Himkok, Oslo
  18. High Five, Tokyo**
  19. Salmón Gurú, Madrid
  20. Paradiso, Barcelona
  21. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
  22. The Dead Rabbit, New York*** (highly recommend)
  23. Coupette, London
  24. The SG Club, Tokyo
  25. Dr. Stravinsky, Barcelona
  26. Employees Only, New York
  27. El Copitas, St Petersburg
  28. Scout, London
  29. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
  30. Operation Dagger, Singapore
  31. Baba Au Rum, Athens
  32. La Factoría, Old San Juan – Puerto Rico
  33. Presidente, Buenos Aires
  34. Schumann’s, Munich
  35. Speak Low, Shanghai*** (highly recommend)
  36. Little Red Door, Paris
  37. Linje Tio, Stockholm
  38. The Old Man, Singapore
  39. Lyaness, London
  40. Happiness Forgets, London
  41. Swift, London
  42. Trick Dog, San Francisco
  43. Maybe Sammy, Sydney
  44. 1930, Milan
  45. Sober Company, Shanghai
  46. Electric Bing Sutt, Beirut
  47. Kwānt, London
  48. Artesian, London
  49. Coa, Hong Kong
  50. Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Rome

What we think should have made it: Gibson, London. Hands down.

Top 50 Bar Reviews

NoMad was ranked* the top bar in the United States in 2018, and comprises separate bar areas, including the NoMad Read more
The Takeaway: The bartenders take the mainstage at this pharmacy-themed cocktail bar. Bottles of homemade tinctures and infusions line the walls, Read more
The Takeaway: Made for the 'gram (how the young whippersnappers say "instagram"). Thumping music, glowing cocktail menu, and an enthusiastic set Read more
Intro: This is part 3 of the 3-part series of Dead Rabbit, which has been extensively ahem, researched over the Read more
What to drink (and where to drink) at Dead Rabbit Read more
A meticulously researched review on one of the top bars in the world Read more
Glass filled with orange liquid next to book reading The Modern Life of Plants
Interesting plant-based menu. Good cocktails but a bit more like an upscale hotel bar than a destination. Read more
Several leather couches in front of beautiful, multi level bar with art on the walls and a painted cieling
Our take on Singapore's Top 5 Bars in 2019 Read more
Bar with two bartenders and hundreds of bottles with one couple sitting at the bar.
Steeped in tradition. A seat at the actual bar would be amazing, but we didn’t get one. Read more
Bartender in front of bar with many bottles
One of the best bars we have ever been to (and we’ve been to many) Read more