After many a late-night declaration of a local pub being 'the best in the world', an official ranking has finally settled the debate. The data from Top 500 Bars, an online ranking website, has used a complex algorithm analysing thousands of data points across more than 20 languages to calculate the definitive list of the planet's finest drinking establishments.
The top spot was claimed by a UK bar, with six of the top ten venues located in Europe, showcasing the continent's dominance in global cocktail culture. From Hollywood glamour to Korean minimalism, the list offers a spectacular tour of international drinking destinations.
The World's Top Five Bars Revealed
1. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, Scotland: Securing the number one position is this Scottish cocktail bar, boasting an impressive average rating of 4.6 stars from over 2,400 Google reviews. The brainchild of famed bartender Iain McPherson, Panda & Sons is celebrated for its friendly Scottish service in intimate, cosy surroundings. Its innovative menu features a unique technique called 'Switching', which involves isolating water from spirits and replacing it with another non-alcoholic liquid.
2. Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain: In second place is this speakeasy-style bar, hidden behind a pastrami bar and entered through an old refrigerator. With nearly 7,000 Google reviews and a 4.3-star rating, Paradiso stuns with its design of wooden waves, white Carrara marble, and jungle-palmed walls. Its 25 signature drinks each come with unique glassware and garnishes designed to surprise guests.
3. Bar Leone, Hong Kong, China: An Italian-inspired spot in the heart of Hong Kong, Bar Leone pays homage to Roman neighbourhood bars. Founded by Roman bartender Lorenzo Antinori, this venue celebrates community and a love for classic cocktails.
4. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico: Completing the top five is this Mexican entry, which has long held a reputation as one of the city's best. With a 1920s art deco feel, low lighting, and elegant furnishings, Handshake Speakeasy has a 4.4-star average from over 1,700 reviews.
5. Jigger & Pony, Singapore City, Singapore: This Singaporean bar pays tribute to the 19th century, when cocktail recipes were listed in 'jiggers' and 'ponies'. It defines modern cocktail culture through convivial hospitality, craftsmanship, and inventive concepts.
London and European Bars Shine in Top 25
The UK capital made several notable appearances on the prestigious list. In seventh place was Tayēr + Elementary in London, near Bartholomew Square. Opened in June 2019 by renowned bartenders Monica Berg and Alex Kretana, the venue is split into two concepts: the casual Elementary at the front and the more experimental Tayēr at the back.
London's luxurious Connaught Bar in Mayfair took 12th place, famous for its martinis and time-honoured classics served in a sparkling, candlelit setting. Not far behind, Scarfes Bar, a stone's throw from Covent Garden, ranked 21st, offering creative cocktails with daily live jazz and a sophisticated gentleman's club atmosphere.
Completing the London contingent was the cool East London spot, Satan's Whiskers in Bethnal Green, at 22nd. Often described as 'London's bartender's bar', it offers a changing menu of classic cocktails with a hip-hop soundtrack.
European establishments dominated the list, with Barcelona securing a second top-ten entry with SIPS in tenth place. Owned by internationally recognised mixologists Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez, the bar is set to redefine Barcelona's scene. Other European highlights included HIMKOK in Oslo (6th), Moebius in Milan (9th), and three Parisian bars: The Cambridge Public House (14th), Danico (17th), and Bar Nouveau (18th).
A Global Tour of Drinking Excellence
The ranking showcased exceptional bars from every corner of the globe. From Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia (8th), spread over three floors with different concepts, to Maybe Sammy in Sydney, Australia (16th), which offers a theatrical 1950s-inspired experience complete with choreographed routines and bubble guns.
In Seoul, South Korea, Zest rounded out the top 25, embracing the philosophy of Korean minimalism, or 'the beauty of emptiness'. The bar offers 'sustainable fine drinking' with seasonal cocktails and an 'open lab' where guests can watch their drinks being prepared.
This definitive list, created 'by the people, for the people', offers a trusted guide for discerning drinkers seeking the world's most exceptional bar experiences, confirming that the quest for the perfect pint—or cocktail—has never had more tantalising destinations.
