The bar gods have spoken.
Outstanding bars across the globe have been honored in the 2021 World’s 50 Best Bars competition. This year’s list includes 17 countries and 8 new establishments, including Sidecar from New Dehli, the first Indian bar to make the list since 2010. The top 5 honors went to London’s Tay?r + Elementary, Paradiso in Barcelona, The Clumsies in Athens, and Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires. New York City’s Katana Kitten was the highest-ranked bar in the U.S., coming in at number ten. But the highest accolade this year was once again bestowed upon London’s Connaught Bar, led by famed mixologists Agostino Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani, and Maura Milia. What does it take for a bar on this level to achieve the title of World’s Best? Connaught’s director of mixology, Agostino Perrone, explains the process in which their cocktail program develops.
“The Cocktail program is not something we think about; it’s something we just do. We have an 8-hour mise en place (prep) in the morning, akin to a three Michelin star restaurant. Each cocktail integrated into the Connaught Bar experience needs to balance innovation, classic flavors, and technicality in terms of mixology. We want our drinks to remind you of something you can’t describe, but you know it’s there. But we are about more than the drinks; it’s an overall experience. When you walk into this bar, you forget about your day and become present. I believe this is what sets us apart. “
So when in London, treat yourself to what’s widely considered the world’s finest martini at The Connaught, and here is the rest of the list.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2021
1. Connaught Bar, London
2. Tay?r + Elementary, London
3. Paradiso, Barcelona
4. The Clumsies, Athens
5. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
6. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City (Best Bar in North America)
7. Coa, Hong Kong (Best Bar in Asia)
8. El Copitas, St Petersburg
9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
10. Katana Kitten, New York
10. Katana Kitten, New York
11. Two Schmucks, Barcelona
12. Hanky Panky, Mexico City (Highest New Entry)
13. Insider Bar, Moscow
14. Baba au Rum, Athens
15. Manhattan, Singapore
16. Atlas, Singapore
17. Zuma, Dubai
18. The SG Club, Tokyo
19. Drink Kong, Rome
20. 1930, Milan
21. Presidente, Buenos Aires (Highest Climber)
22. Maybe Sammy, Sydney (Best Bar in Australasia)
23. Cantina OK!, Sydney
24. Salmon Guru, Madrid
25. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
26. No Sleep Club, Singapore
27. Camparino in Galleria, Milan
28. Café La Trova, Miami
29. Little Red Door, Paris
30. Dante, New York
31. Kwant, London
32. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
33. Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
34. Attaboy, New York
34. Attaboy, New York
35. Lucy’s Flower Shop, Stockholm
36. MO Bar, Singapore
37. Sips, Barcelona
38. Baltra Bar, Mexico City
39. Sober Company, Shanghai
40. Tjoget, Stockholm
41. Epic, Shanghai
42. Charles H, Seoul
43. Tippling Club, Singapore
44. Above Board, Melbourne
45. Galaxy Bar, Dubai
46. Re, Sydney
47. Sidecar, New Delhi
48. Union Trading Company, Shanghai
49. Darkside, Hong Kong
50. Quinary, Hong Kong
Spirits writers, marketers and designers are among the most influential forces in the spirits industry. Their opinions, ideas and creative talents inform and influence consumer perceptions and buying decisions. The John Barleycorn Society was started by a group of spirits journalists seeking to honor excellence in all facets of the industry. The journalists spent several years creating a comprehensive competition that became the John Barleycorn Awards. An elite team of authoritative and influential spirits journalists was selected to administer the flagship component of the Awards, a blind tasting competition destined to become the preeminent arbitrator of spirits taste, quality and character.
