The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019, revealed

An all-day New York bar serving aperitivos at the site of a legendary art deco-era Greenwich Village cafe was named the World’s Best Bar at an international drinks industry ceremony at the Roundhouse in London this evening.

Overall, London retained its position as the leading cocktail capital of the world, with a total of ten bars listed in the top 50. New York and Singapore followed behind, with six bars each featured in the top 50.

Two new London bars entered the ranking for the first time: Kwānt by Eric Lorincz (formerly of The Savoy’s American bar) on Mayfair’s Heddon Street, in the basement of restaurant Momo, and Lyaness at Sea Containers London by “cocktail king” Ryan Chetiyawardana.

But while the likes of glitzy hotel bar The Connaught (which also won both “Legend of the List” and "Best Bar in Europe") featured, many of the bars which made it onto the list are more casual than might be expected, such as the low-key Three Sheets in London’s Dalston.

Here, we present the world’s 50 best bars in entirety, in descending order (scroll down to the very end for the The World’s Best Bar Award...

50. Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Rome, Italy

This “secret” bar in Rome is an ode to the 1920’s; be sure to book in advance for the password to enter.

Vicolo Cellini, 30, 00186 Roma RM, Italy; thejerrythomasproject.it

49. Coa, Hong Kong, China

An intimate Mexican-inspired cocktail bar with a focus on agave-based spirits.

6-10 Shin Hing Street, Hong Kong; coa.com.hk

48. Artesian, London, UK

Experimental cocktails by bartender Remy Savage at The Langham hotel.

1C Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1JA; artesian-bar.co.uk

47. Kwānt, London, UK

Kwānt by Eric Lorincz (formerly of The Savoy’s American bar) on Mayfair’s Heddon Street, in the basement of restaurant Momo. Read the full Telegraph review here.

25 Heddon St, Mayfair, London W1B 4BH; momo.london

46. Electric Bing Sutt, Beirut, Lebanon

A funky, dazzling neon Asian and Middle Eastern all-day bar.

Beirut, electricbingsutt.com

45. Sober Company, Shanghai, China

An ironically named bar - drink the  the Take a Break (hoji-cha whiskey, hinoki syrup, lavender bitters, citrus, egg white) and the Godfather III.

99 Yandang Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200000

44.  1930, Milan,  Italy

A mysterious speakeasy, renowned as the most inaccessible bar of all Milan.

43. Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia

Inspired by Fifties glamour - order the mini martini or a vintage Manhattan or “Sinatra Serve”.

115 Harrington St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia; maybesammy.com

42. Trick Dog, San Francisco, USA

Head bartender Kim Roselle glides through service, assembling complex drinks for the thirsty throng, who sway to the Motown, funk, soul and mid-century American rock soundtrack.

3010 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110; trickdogbar.com

41. Swift, London, UK

The brainchild of husband and wife Bobby Hiddleston and Mia Johansson. Enjoy an aperitif-style sherry and tonic upstairs, or head downstairs for the whisky list.

12 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4TQ; barswift.com

40. Happiness Forgets, London, UK

A small, subterranean bar in Shoreditch, Happiness Forgets is an "unpretentious, simply furnished" bar focussed on serving exceptional cocktails. Head bartender Rhys Wilson’s favourites include the 'stirred and boozy' New Romantic cocktail with cognac and quince.

8-9 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NU; happinessforgets.com

39. Lyaness, London, UK

A plush bar decorated in shades of blue, formerly Dandelyan, this is a new concept from award-winning celebrity bartender Mr Lyan, overlooking the Thames.

Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD; lyaness.com

38. The Old Man, Singapore 

The Old Man Singapore along Keong Saik brings the finesse of the original Old Man bar in Hong Kong, inspired by Ernest Hemingway, to Singapore.

55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158

37. Linje Tio, Stockholm, Sweden

Pull up a stool at the steel bar and watch the bartenders at work, while sipping on the Linje Tio cocktail with beetroot, coconut, lemon, ginger and nutmeg.

Tjoget, 24 Hornsbruksgatan, Stockholm; linjetio.com

36. Little Red Door, Paris, France

Remy Savage is the brains behind this intimate Parisian cocktail spot.

60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France; lrdparis.com

35. Speak Low, Shanghai, China

A Japanese speakeasy in Shanghai's Huangpu, this discreet bar is known for serving sophisticated, classic cocktails.

579 Fuxing Middle Rd, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China, 200000

34. Schumann’s, Munich, Germany

Located just north of the old town on the famous Odeonsplatz, Schumann’s bar is a minimalist mix of brushed steel and wood.

Odeonsplatz 6-7, 80539 München, Germany; schumanns.de

32. La Factoría Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Both the Old San Juan tourist crowd and serious drinkers are drawn to the low-lit, artfully dilapidated space.

148 Calle San Sebastián, San Juan 00901; presidentebar.com.ar

31. Baba Au Rum, Athens, Greece

Thanos Prunarus is founder, owner, bar manager and bartender, and also runs the Athens Rum Festival. The magic comes from his use of the bar's very own organic, locally produced herbs and spices.

Klitiou 6, Athina 105 60, Greece; babaurum.com

30. Operation Dagger, Singapore

Dramatically finished with a lighting rig made up of thousands of overhanging bulbs, among the signature drinks is The Egg, made of salted egg yolk liqueur, vanilla and hay.

7 Ann Siang Hill, B1-01, Singapore 069791; operationdagger.com

29. Jigger & Pony

A cool hangout with a focus on whisky.

165 Tg Pagar Rd, Amara Hotel, Singapore 088539;​ chope.co

28. Scout, London, UK

With a focus on minimal waste. Scouts menu changes daily adapting to seasonal produce from foragers, farmers and growers alike.

224 Graham Street, London E8 1BP; scout.bar

27. El Copitas, St Petersburg, Russia

A small, hidden Mexican bar in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, with creative cocktails and a sense of escapism.

Kolokol'naya Ulitsa, 2, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 191025

26. Employees Only, New York, USA

Employees Only has been expanding around the globe, with locations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Panama City, Miami and more to follow, the West Village original remains an icon.

510 Hudson Street, New York 10014; employeesonlynyc.com

25. Dr. Stravinsky, Barcelona, Spain

A craft cocktail bar in the Born neighbourhood, with mysterious vintage-style lab equipment, serving works of alchemy.

Carrer dels Mirallers, 5, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; drstravinsky.cat

24. The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan

Named after its founder, legendary bartender Shingo Gokan, The SG Club is the place to go to experience Shibuya’s famed nightlife scene. The margarita-like “Flirtibird” is made with yuzu, shiso and plum salt.

1 Chome-7-8 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan; sg-management.jp

23. Coupette London UK

Coupette, which translates in French to "cheeky one", really does offer just that, says The Telegraph's Rachel Matthews in her review. 

Coupette, 423 Bethnal Green Road, E2; coupette.co.uk

22. The Dead Rabbit, New York, USA

The wonderfully-named Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York is inspired by the Irish drinking dens of the 1800’s. On the ground level there's a raucous whisky bar, where the floor is dusted with sawdust, while upstairs there's a more elegant saloon serving cocktails.

30 Water St, New York, NY 10004, USA; deadrabbitnyc.com

21. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan

Owner Aki Wang is at the forefront of Taipei's cocktail scene: the Mar-Tea-Ni incorporates vermouth infused with Taiwanese oolong tea, and mandarin orange peel.

Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei; indulgebistrotaipei.blogspot.com

20. Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain

The Catalan city of Barcelona is home to one of Europe’s most exciting cocktail scenes – leading the charge is Paradiso, a modern speakeasy housed in a pastrami bar.

Carrer de Rera Palau 4 08003 Barcelona; paradiso.cat

19. Salmón Gurú, Madrid, Spain

A quirky bar divided into three spaces; the Mezcal-based Chipotle Chillón comes with a choice of homemade mint and ginger lemonades on the side.

Calle de Echegaray, 21, 28014 Madrid, Spain; salmonguru.es

18. High Five Tokyo Japan

Dimly lit, understated and with a jazz soundtrack, High Five is a classic cocktail bar in the heart of Ginza. Head bartender Hidetsugo Ueno is celebrated as one of Asia's best mixologists.

Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chūō, Ginza, 5 Chome−4−15 Ginza5 Bldg, B1F, Efflore

17. Himkok, Oslo, Norway

Himkok micro distillery and bar celebrates the flavour of Norway. Expect aquavit, served alongside Norwegian folk art.

Storgata 27, 0184 Oslo, Norway; himkok.no

16. Three Sheets, London, UK

In trendy Dalston, brothers Noel and Max Venning are famed for their twist on a French 75, serve a weekly rotating seasonal menu in a compact, intimate bar.

510b Kingsland Road, Dalston, London E8 4AB; threesheets-bar.com

15. Guilhotina, São Paulo, Brazil

Guilhotina’s Márcio Silva is an iconic figure on the Brazilian bartending scene.

R. Costa Carvalho, 84 - Pinheiros, São Paulo - SP, 05429-000, Brazil

14. Katana Kitten, New York, USA

A two-floor West Village cocktail bar with Japanese movie posters on the walls and a soundtrack of ’60s rock music, Katana Kitten serves whimsical cocktails with both Japanese izakaya fare and traditional American bites.

531 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, United States; katanakitten.com

13. Carnaval, Lima,  Peru

The winner of the Highest New Entry Award. In the upscale district of San Isidro, this is one to watch: the signature cocktail, the Carnaval, contains Chartreuse, gin, beer and pineapple.

Av. Pardo y Aliaga 662, San Isidro 15073, Peru; carnavalbar.com

12. Native Singapore, Singapore

Native is renowned for a focus on foraging and for using regional Southeast Asian produce.

52a Amoy St, Singapore 069878; tribenative.com

11. Manhattan Singapore, Singapore

Once again named best bar in Asia, decorated in the hotel’s glossy, art deco style, complete with glass elevators and marble floors, and inspired by the 19th century speakeasies of its namesake New York borough.

Level 2, Regent, 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715; regenthotels.com

10. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico

Of the 30 drinks on offer, 10 are classics, 10 are best sellers and the remaining 10 change each season - so there's always something new to imbibe.

Av. Álvaro Obregón 106, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico; limantour.tv

9. The Old Man Hong Kong China

Named after Hemingway;s “The Old Man and The Sea,” head bartender Agung Prabowo has built a concise list of libations inspired by the author’s favourite drinks, spirits and flavours.

Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, China

8. Atlas Singapore, Singapore

"Arguably the most stunning-looking bar in the world, this vast Art Deco palace to all things gin (and champagne) will leave you utterly speechless when you arrive,” say bar experts The Thinking Drinkers.

600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778; atlasbar.sg

7. Attaboy, New York, USA

Manhattan's Attaboy is run by bartenders Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy, who don't provide a cocktail list but instead make bespoke cocktails.

134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, USA; punchdrink.com

6. The Clumsies, Athens, Greece

So-called because its owners have a tendency to act clumsily outside of work (although with complete professionalism behind the bar), The Clumsies' relaxed approach and excellent drinks make it one of the most exciting bars in Greece.

Praxitelous 30, Athina 105 61, Greece; theclumsies.gr

5. American Bar, London, UK

Maxim Schulte is now head bartender at The American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, which came top in both 2017 and 2018. The latest cocktail menu is based on a songbook, with each of the 20 cocktails inspired by  tunes played in the decadently-decorated bar.

The Savoy Hotel, 100 Strand, London WC2R 0EZ; fairmont.com

4. The NoMad, New York, USA

Bar director Leo Robitschek stresses balance, ingredients, and technique. The cocktails adhere to the same high standards as those of the chef Daniel Humm’s kitchen, served in a classic New York-style space with olive-green booth seats.

10 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, USA; thenomadhotel.com

3. Florería Atlántico Buenos Aires, Argentina

Inspired by the immigrant drinking dens of Buenos Aires in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Florería Atlántico is a speakeasy, Argentinian style. You’d never know it was there: access is through a florist and wine shop.

Arroyo 872, C1011 CABA, Argentina; floreriaatlantico.com.ar

2. Connaught Bar, London, UK

A classic hotel bar, with opulent interiors inspired by English Cubist movement and 1920s Irish art. Try the martinis or the house-distilled gin.

The Connaught, Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL; the-connaught.co.uk

1. Dante, New York USA

This year’s winner of The World’s Best Bar Award serves both timeless and experimental cocktails and aperitivos in the site of a legendary art deco-era Greenwich Village cafe, masterminded by bartender and mixologist Naren Young @forkandshaker. Order the classic Old Fashioned or a Negroni, or try the more unusual Clarified Milk Punch, or the "Unlikely Negroni" with cabeza blanco, Campari, banana, pineapple shrub. chilli and sesame.

79-81 Macdougal Street, New York, NY 10012, United States; dante-nyc.com