Best 50 bars in the world have been revealed – and 18 are in Europe

The annual ranking of the 50 Best Bars in the world has been revealed, and 18 are in Europe.

Following its unveiling of positions 51-100 in September, the prestigious ranking body revealed that Hong Kong’s Bar Leone held on to the top spot for a second year running.

The results were announced at a ceremony in Milan on Wednesday, and two European bars – Moebius Milano in Milan and Line in Athens – featured in the top 10.

Europe was far and away the most represented continent in the ranking with its 18 spots. It also achieved a further 18 wins in the 51-100 extended list, meaning it takes up more than a third of the positions overall.

Italy had plenty to celebrate, with Moebius Milano taking second place and the top spot in Europe, while Italy’s other entry, Locale Firenze in Florence, was at number 33.

Paris has overtaken London as the most represented European city on the list for the first time, with four bars making the cut. The Cambridge Public House is number 13, followed by Bar Nouveau at 15, newcomer De Vie at 23 and Danico at 26. That puts Paris level with Hong Kong and New York as the cities with the most bars in the global top 50.

London still has a strong showing, led by Connaught Bar at number eight. Satan’s Whiskers is 29, while new entry Waltz comes in at 32.

Athens also has three bars on the list. Line leads the way at number five, while The Bar in Front of the Bar climbed 28 places to 19, earning the Nikka Highest Climber Award. Barro Negro rounds out the city’s entries at 40.

Spain has three bars in total, with Barcelona’s Sips at 16 and Paradiso at 17, while Madrid’s Angelita makes its debut at 50. Paradiso also picked up the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award.

The top five are very varied, geographically and style-wise, and are all well worth adding to any bar lover’s bucket list.

The top five best bars in the world

Bar Leone, Hong Kong

Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori opened this Hong Kong venue in 2023, bringing the atmosphere of a traditional Roman neighbourhood bar to the city.

The focus is on classic Italian aperitivo, with simple, well-made cocktails and a relaxed setting. Although it’s relatively new to the scene, Bar Leone has already cemented itself as something of an institution in the Asian city.

Moebius Milano, Milan

Milan’s Moebius Milano has made a significant leap up the ranking, climbing from seventh place last year to number two in 2026.

The bar is part of a much larger venue housed in a former textile factory, combining cocktails, food, music and design under one roof.

Its cocktail offering ranges from classic serves to more experimental creations, while the industrial setting gives it a distinctly contemporary Milanese feel.

Alquímico, Cartagena

Alquímico in Cartagena has taken third place, making it the highest-ranked bar outside Europe and Asia.

Set inside a restored colonial mansion in the heart of the Colombian city, the bar stretches across three floors, each with its own atmosphere and cocktail menu.

Drinks draw heavily on Colombian ingredients and landscapes, with the team using local produce and traditional techniques to create a menu that changes with the country’s seasons.

Bar Us, Bangkok

Bangkok’s Bar Us has secured fourth place, making it the Thai capital’s highest-ranked bar this year.

The intimate venue takes a tasting-menu approach to cocktails, with drinks designed around seasonal ingredients and carefully balanced flavour combinations.

Rather than simply ordering from a conventional drinks list, guests are taken through a series of serves that explore different ingredients and techniques. It’s part of Bangkok’s growing reputation as one of Asia’s major cocktail destinations.

Line, Athens

Athens’ Line has climbed to fifth place, making it the second highest-ranked European bar on this year’s list.

Housed in one of the Greek city’s most significant former art galleries, it offers cocktails with a strong focus on fermentation.

Many of its ingredients are made in-house, including fermented fruit, syrups and other preparations used in the drinks.

The result is a menu that puts Greek produce and flavours at the centre of the experience, while the industrial-inspired setting keeps things relaxed and contemporary.