Rather fittingly for 2026 The 50 Best Bars which took place in Milan last week, featured bars from 26 countries. Which is not only neat as far as numbers go but also makes us think just how global this whole cocktail malarkey has become. We remember when the list was dominated by bars from two cities: namely London and New York. These days it’s exciting to see representation from all kinds of venues – from fancy five-star hotels to unapologetic dive bars – from all corners of the globe – we’re talking from Buenos Aires to Bratislava and Sao Paulo to Seoul as well as Tirana, Lima, Guangzhou and Medellin. So on to the meat and potatoes of this year’s newly branded, The 50… In total, there were 14 new entries on this year’s list, all of which deserve a huge shout out Angelia from Madrid at number 50 Bar Snack from New York at no 49 Gokan, Hong Kong at 41 Barro Negro, Athens 40 Bar Carmen, Medellin, no 39 Montana, no 36 Waltz, London 32 Victor Audio Bar, Buenos Aires, no 31 Schmuck, New York, no. 11 Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok, no 27 De Vie, Paris 23 Mamba Negra, Medellin, 22 Eximia, Sao Paulo, no 20 schmuck, New York, 11 Bar Mauro, Mexico City, 10 And just as worthy of a mention are the re-entries: Martiny’s at no 46 Argo, Hong Kong 25 We also have to highlight this year’s Special awards which went to some of our favourite people in some of our favourite bars. Congratulations to Shingo Gokan, Roku Industry Icon Takuma Watanabe, Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Panda & Sons, EdinburghSiete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Alquimico, Cartegna, Michter’s Art of Hospitality Line, Athens, Ketel One Sustainable Bar Seven rooms Best Bar Design, Saikindo, Abu Dhabi Three Horse, Melbourne Campari One to Watch The 50 Best Bars Scholarship, Isa Mejia Paradiso, Remy Martin Legend of the list award For the full list, see thecocktaillovers.com but if you haven’t already heard who made the top 10 the rundown goes as follows: 10. Bar Mauro, Mexico City 9. Lady Bee, Lima 8, Connaught Bar, London 7. Zest, Seoul 6. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City 5. Line, Athens 4. Bar US, Bangkok 3 Alquimico, Cartegna 2. Moebius Milano 1.Bar Leone, Hong Kong We caught up with the winners, good friends Lorenzo Antinori and Paola Mariotti from Bar Leone Hong Kong; brothers Ricardo and Eduardo Nava, and their proud mum, of Bar Mauro, winners of the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, and husband and wife team Giacomo Gianotti and wife Margarita Sader, owners of Paradiso, Barcelona, recipients of the Remy Martin Legend of the List award. Which goes to prove: work with people you know, love and trust, and ideally For more, see The 50 Best Bars 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
