Last night, unperturbed by the threat of the now-dissipating Hurricane Lorenzo, drinks industry cognoscenti flocked to London’s iconic Roundhouse to celebrate the announcement of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2019. As in previous years, American venues made a strong showing on this year’s list, with New York City now home to the ‘World’s Best Bar’: Dante, beloved for its extensive Negroni menu and wholesome Italian fare. In a post-Dandelyan world, the Greenwich Village institution’s classic décor and refined, back-to-basics approach has garnered it a wide fanbase, culminating in the all-day restaurant-cum-bar’s ascent from 9th place in 2018 to the top spot in 2019.
As ever, classic hotel-style boltholes are well-represented in the top 10, with Connaught Bar (#2) coming in hot on Dante’s heels. This year, Ago Perrone’s elegant cubist watering hole traded places with perennial rival American Bar (#5), though Manhattan — another Singaporean institution of the hotel bar genre — made a hasty exit from the top 10, coming in at #11.
Despite the dominance of bars located in English-speaking countries, venues from further abroad continue to grow in diversity and number. Mexico City hotspot Licoreria Limantour broke bad at #10, whereas intriguing new up-and-comer Electric Bing Sutt (a Chinese-inspired bar in the heart of Beirut) made its very solid debut at #46.
Closer to home, the Asian drinks industry continues to enjoy robust representation, with venues in Singapore accounting for the lion’s share of award-winning bars in the region. (In total, Asian venues account for a total of 13 venues on the list.) Hong Kong’s very own The Old Man followed up its unprecedented debut in 2018 with an elevation to 9th best bar overall, while Coa — which has been enjoying massive acclaim on the back of this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars list — entered the World’s 50 Best Bars annals at #49.
You can view the full results of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 below (note: venues located in Asia are highlighted in boldface):
1. Dante (New York, USA)
2. Connaught Bar (London, UK)
3. Floreria Atlantico (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
4. The NoMad Bar (New York, USA)
5. American Bar (London, UK)
6. The Clumsies (Athens, Greece)
7. Atta Boy (New York, USA)
8. Atlas (Singapore)
9. The Old Man (Hong Kong)
10. Licoreria Limantour (Mexico City, Mexico)
11. Manhattan (Singapore)
12. Native (Singapore)
13. Carnaval (Lima, Peru)
14. Katana Kitten (New York, USA)
15. Guilhotina (São Paulo, Brazil)
16. Three Sheets (London, UK)
17. Himkok (Oslo, Norway)
18. Bar High Five (Tokyo, Japan)
19. Salmon Guru (Madrid, Spain)
20. Paradiso (Barcelona, Spain)
21. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei, Taiwan)
22. The Dead Rabbit (New York, USA)
23. Coupette (London, UK)
24. The SG Club (Tokyo, Japan)
25. Dr. Stravinsky (Barcelona, Spain)
26. Employees Only (New York, USA)
27. El Copitas (St. Petersburg, Russia)
28. Scout (London, UK)
29. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
30. Operation Dagger (Singapore)
31. Baba Au Rum (Athens, Greece)
32. La Factoría (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico)
33. Presidente (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
34. Schumann’s (Munich, Germany)
35. Speak Low (Shanghai, China)
36. Little Red Door (Paris, France)
37. Tjoget (Stockholm, Sweden)
38. The Old Man (Singapore)
39. Lyaness (London, UK)
40. Happiness Forgets (London, UK)
41. Swift (London, UK)
42. Trick Dog (San Francisco, USA)
43. Maybe Sammy (Sydney, Australia)
44. 1930 (Milan, Italy)
45. Sober Company (Shanghai, China)
46. Electric Bing Sutt (Beirut, Lebanon)
47. Kwānt (London, UK)
48. Artesian (London, UK)
49. Coa (Hong Kong)
50. Jerry Thomas Speakeasy (Rome, Italy)
Keen to explore even more exciting drinks destinations around the globe? Then continue browsing rankings 51-100 of the World’s Best Bars 2019 below:
51. Subastor (São Paulo, Brazil)
52. Tayer + Elementary (London, UK)
53. Lost & Found (Nicosia, Cyprus)
54. The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental (Bangkok, Thailand)
55. Scarfes Bar (London, UK)
56. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo, Japan)
57. Two Schmucks (Barcelona, Spain)
58. Candelaria (Paris, France)
59. Tales & Spirits (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
60. Tommy’s (San Francisco, USA)
61. 28 Hong Kong Street (Singapore)
62. Zuma (Dubai, UAE)
63. Buck and Breck (Berlin, Germany)
64. Oriole (London, UK)
65. Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
66. Bulletin Place (Sydney, Australia)
67. Sweet Liberty (Miami, USA)
68. Danico (Paris, France)
69. Siete Negronis (Santiago, Chile)
70. Baccano (Rome, Italy)
71. Quinary (Hong Kong)
72. Blacktail (New York, USA)
73. Central Station (Beirut, Lebanon)
74. Dry Martini (Barcelona, Spain)
75. Lobster Bar (Hong Kong)
76. Long Island Bar (New York, USA)
77. Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, UK)
78. Satan’s Whiskers (London, UK)
79. The Baxter Inn (Sydney, Australia)
80. Black Pearl (Melbourne, Australia)
81. ABV (San Franciso, USA)
82. Drink Kong (Rome, Italy)
83. Charles H (Seoul, South Korea)
84. Le Syndicat (Paris, France)
85. Bar Trench (Tokyo, Japan)
86. Nottingham Forest (Milan, Italy)
87. Donovan Bar (London, UK)
88. Sin+Tax (Johannesburg, South Africa)
89. Bar Orchard Ginza (Tokyo, Ginza)
90. Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
91. Lost Lake (Chicago, USA)
92. Tropic City (Bangkok, Thailand)
93. The Pontiac (Hong Kong)
94. Amor Y Amargo (New York, USA)
95. PS40 (Sydney, Australia)
96. Frank Bar (São Paulo, Brazil)
97. The Gibson (London, UK)
98. Mabel (Paris, France)
99. Aviary (Chicago, USA)
100. Clover Club (New York, USA)
Randy Lai
Editor
Having worked in the Australian digital media landscape for over 5 years, Randy has extensive experience in men's specialist categories such as classic clothing, watches and spirits. He is partial to mid-century chronographs and a nice chianti.
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