About the List

About The 50 Best Bars

The 50 Best Bars (formerly The World's 50 Best Bars) has reflected and celebrated the best of the international drinks industry since 2009. The list represents the ultimate guide to the world's top bars and drinking destinations.

Thanks to its panel of more than 800 drinks experts, as well as its structured and audited voting system, the annual list of the world's finest bars provides a snapshot of the best destinations for unique drinking experiences, inspiring people to travel, unveiling up-and-coming bartenders and industry trends, and showcasing the subtlety and complexity of various cultures – with many more still to discover and celebrate.

Incorporating grand hotel bars, secret speakeasies, neighbourhood hangouts and classic drinking dens, The 50 Best Bars list is a celebration of the diversity and universality of drinks culture and a reflection of new bar scenes developing all over the world.

The 50 Best Bars awards ceremony is the drinks industry's most anticipated night of the year, bringing together the best bartending talent from around the globe, with a live countdown of the list, culminating in the announcement of The World's Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier.

The history of The 50 Best Bars

The first list was announced in 2009, with annual awards ceremonies held in London since the inaugural event in 2012 until 2022, when the celebration and live awards ceremony was held in Barcelona.

In 2023, the awards took place in Singapore; in 2024, the event returned to Spain for celebrations in Madrid; in 2025, The World's 50 Best Bars list was announced in Hong Kong and in 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Global expansion of The 50 Best Bars:

2016: Launch of Asia's 50 Best Bars

2022: Launch of North America's 50 Best Bars

2026: Launch of Europe's 50 Best Bars

In 2026, The World's 50 Best Bars evolved into The 50 Best Bars.

The strength of the ranking lies in the relevance of its geographical network and the level of expertise of its voters, who together comprise The 50 Best Bars Academy. We are dedicated to transparently sharing our voting mechanics and methodology, and to continuing to evolve it, with structural improvements being made every year. You can read more about the voting process and the Academy and consult our FAQs.

Each year, the celebration creates a unique opportunity to connect an incredible community, recognising the very best and inspiring more people to come together through the shared experience of extraordinary hospitality.

But The 50 Best Bars is more than just the rankings and awards, with our extensive editorial, social content and consumer experiences, we are passionate about uncovering the stories behind the places and people shaping global hospitality.

The 50 Best Bars is part of The 50 family.