2009 World's 50 Best Bars: Complete Rankings and Analysis

The legendary Milk & Honey London pioneered the modern speakeasy movement from its unmarked Soho location, where Sasha Petraske's exacting cocktail methodology and strict house rules created London's most exclusive drinking sanctuary. This members-only institution trained a generation of world-class bartenders while perfecting classic cocktails in an atmosphere of refined intimacy.

Sasha Petraske's legendary Milk & Honey NY sparked the global speakeasy renaissance in 1999, pioneering reservation-only service and bespoke cocktails without menus. This influential Lower East Side establishment, birthplace of the iconic Penicillin cocktail, continues defining craft cocktail culture through intimate atmosphere and uncompromising dedication to classic mixology techniques.

Once ranked third among the World's 50 Best Bars, Buddha Bar occupies a grand 8th arrondissement address on Rue Boissy d'Anglas with a scale and theatrical atmosphere that shaped a generation of Asian-influenced bar concepts across Europe. With over 5,700 Google reviews averaging four stars, it remains a reference point for large-format cocktail venues in Paris, drawing both international visitors and regulars to its cathedral-like interior.

Please Don't Tell (PDT) entered the New York cocktail conversation in 2007 through a phone booth hidden inside a hot dog counter on St. Marks Place, and it spent the next several years at the top of the World's 50 Best Bars rankings, reaching No. 1 in 2011. It holds a 4.3 Google rating across more than 2,300 reviews and remains Pearl Recommended in 2025, making it one of the few bars from that era still earning serious critical attention.

Audrey Saunders' legendary Pegu Club New York City ignited America's cocktail renaissance from 2005-2020, training a generation of master bartenders while serving impeccably crafted classics and innovations in an intimate colonial-inspired setting above West Houston Street.

Bayswater Brasserie Sydney defined Australia's cocktail renaissance from the 1990s to 2010, where innovative mixology met European brasserie elegance in the heart of Kings Cross. This legendary venue trained generations of bartenders while setting the gold standard for sophisticated late-night dining and drinking experiences.

Bramble has held a position in the World's 50 Best Bars since 2009, reaching number seven in the world in that same year and peaking at number ten in 2012. Located on Queen Street in Edinburgh's New Town, it operates as a benchmark for serious cocktail craft in Scotland, with a Google rating of 4.6 across nearly a thousand reviews. Its sustained recognition over more than fifteen years places it in a different tier from most Edinburgh bars.

Mathew Bax's Der Raum revolutionized Melbourne cocktail culture through innovative design featuring suspended bottles on bungee cords and a minimalist program of ten rotating classic cocktails. This sophisticated Eurocentric bar operated until 2012, establishing benchmarks for luxury cocktail experiences that continue influencing Melbourne's drinking scene today.

Death & Co at 433 E 6th St has shaped the East Village cocktail scene since 2006, building a track record that includes a top-ten ranking in the World's 50 Best Bars for four consecutive years between 2009 and 2013. With 2,003 Google reviews averaging 4.5 stars and a 2025 Pearl Recommended listing, it remains a reference point for serious cocktail programming in New York City.

Black Pearl on Brunswick Street has held a position in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings for over a decade, peaking at number seven globally in 2013. Open nightly until 3am, it functions as both a serious cocktail destination and a genuine Fitzroy local — the kind of bar that draws regulars as reliably as it draws out-of-towners. Rated 4.6 across 708 Google reviews, its longevity in a competitive field says more than any single award.

On Exhibition Street in Melbourne's CBD, 1806 has held a position in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings — reaching number 12 in 2009 — that places it among the bar programs that shaped Australia's serious cocktail era. The room rewards a patient read: dark enough for conversation, detailed enough to reward the curious. For a city that now produces some of the southern hemisphere's most technically precise drinks, this is where part of that reputation was built.

LAB London revolutionized Soho's cocktail scene from 1999-2016 as the legendary birthplace of the Porn Star Martini and training ground for industry legends. This pioneering mixology laboratory transformed London's bar culture through innovative cocktails, theatrical service, and boundary-pushing experimentation that continues to influence the city's luxury cocktail establishments today.

The Ivy is a multi-level bar and entertainment complex on George Street in Sydney's CBD, recognised by the World's 50 Best Bars program in 2009 and 2010. Across its various spaces, it has long been a reference point for large-format occasion drinking in Australia, drawing a broad crowd for after-work gatherings, celebrations, and weekend events. Google reviewers rate it 3.9 from over 4,000 responses.

Few bars in Paris carry the kind of documented critical weight that Harry's Bar does. Ranked No. 9 in the World's 50 Best Bars in both 2010 and 2011, and still listed in the Top 500 Bars at No. 60 in 2025, it occupies a specific tier in the city's cocktail map: historically significant, continuously operating, and benchmarked against the most recognised bars in the world.

Salvatore Calabrese's legendary 'liquid history' philosophy defined Salvatore at Playboy, where vintage spirits dating back centuries met Playboy Club glamour in London's most exclusive cocktail experience, featuring the world's most expensive cocktail and unparalleled mixological storytelling.

Wellington's most influential cocktail destination since 1963, Matterhorn seamlessly blends European sophistication with local creativity. This legendary venue features an innovative 42-strong cocktail menu, atmospheric design by Allistar Cox, and the iconic Falling Water cocktail that has achieved international recognition across New Zealand's luxury bar scene.

Little Branch has occupied its West Village basement since the mid-2000s, earning a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list (ranked 18th in 2009) before that category became a marketing shorthand for half the bars in Manhattan. The room runs on pre-Prohibition cocktail logic: low light, close quarters, and drinks built for conversation rather than spectacle. A Google rating of 4.4 across 873 reviews confirms the durability of that approach.

The legendary Lonsdale in Notting Hill defined London's cocktail renaissance through pioneering mixology and exceptional hospitality. Though no longer operating, this influential bar trained a generation of industry leaders and established standards that continue to shape London's luxury cocktail scene today.

Disrepute transforms Soho's scandalous heritage into London's most exclusive members-only cocktail experience, where theatrical design meets narrative-driven mixology. This clandestine bar celebrates the neighborhood's notorious history through bespoke cocktails, rich interiors featuring green suede and gold accents, and discreet service that honors centuries of Soho secrets.

Once a consistent presence in the World's 50 Best Bars top 25, Le Lion Bar de Paris at Rathausstraße 3 sits at the serious end of Hamburg's cocktail spectrum. The room leans toward old-world discretion rather than theatrical spectacle, placing it in a category of European bars that treat the drink as the central proposition. A Google rating of 4.6 across more than 1,600 reviews reflects sustained consistency rather than novelty appeal.

A Portobello Road tiki bar that earned a place at #22 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, Trailer Happiness trades in low-lit rum-forward excess and a deliberately cramped, basement atmosphere that has made it one of Notting Hill's most recognisable late-night addresses. The 4.2 Google rating across 606 reviews reflects sustained affection from a crowd that keeps coming back for the drinks rather than the decor — though the decor has its own committed fanatics.

Seamstress occupies a heritage building on Lonsdale Street in Melbourne's CBD, operating across multiple levels that shift in character from bar to dining room. Ranked #23 in the World's 50 Best Bars in 2009, it belongs to an earlier chapter of Melbourne's internationally recognised cocktail story. A 4.4 Google rating across 849 reviews points to consistent crowd appeal well beyond its peak recognition years.

Mojo Leeds has held a place on Merrion Street since before the city's bar scene acquired its current ambitions, and its 2009 World's 50 Best Bars ranking at number 24 remains a reference point for what a neighbourhood bar at full stretch looks like. Open daily until 5am, it draws students, industry workers, and regulars in roughly equal measure. Google reviewers rate it 4.3 across 702 submissions.

Buddha Bar Dubai has occupied a singular position in the Dubai Marina drinking scene since its opening at Grosvenor House, drawing on the global Buddha Bar brand's signature mix of Asian-inflected design, theatrical scale, and an internationally recognised bar program. Its 2009 World's 50 Best Bars ranking at number 25 remains a reference point for understanding how seriously the operation is taken within the industry, and a Google rating of 4.6 across more than 3,200 reviews confirms its sustained pull with guests.

On Hudson Street in the West Village, Employees Only has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings every year since 2009, peaking at #4 globally in 2015. The bar operates a walk-in policy with no reservations, making timing and crowd knowledge the key variables for any visit. In 2025 it holds #18 in North America and #95 globally.

Match Bar revolutionized London's cocktail scene in 1997, pioneering accessible luxury mixology beyond exclusive hotel bars. Jonathan Downey's visionary venue featured innovative sunken bar design and world-class cocktails, democratizing quality drinking and inspiring a generation of London bartenders.

Zeta Bar occupies level four of the Sydney Hilton on George Street, a venue that ranked 18th on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2010 and 28th the year prior. Its position on one of Sydney's central arteries places it inside the city's CBD cocktail corridor, alongside a peer set that has shifted considerably since that peak recognition period. Google reviewers rate it 3.8 from 479 responses.

Bowery Bar earned a place at #29 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, a credential that still frames its position in Brisbane's drinking scene. The bar draws a crowd that comes as much for the food pairing programme as the cocktail list, with a Google rating of 4.7 from nearly 400 reviews reflecting sustained rather than fleeting approval.

One of Barcelona's most enduring cocktail addresses, Dry Martini on Carrer d'Aribau has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings for over a decade. The room itself — dark timber, leather seating, white-jacketed staff — reads like a mid-century European bar that never needed reinventing. The martini program is the anchor, but the broader list and the precision of service are what keep serious drinkers returning.

One of Brooklyn's most decorated cocktail bars, Clover Club at 210 Smith St has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings since 2009, reaching as high as #18 globally in 2012. It occupies a particular position in New York's bar scene: technically serious, historically grounded, and deliberately unglamorous in the way only confident institutions can afford to be.

Aqua New Delhi earned a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, ranking 32nd at a moment when the global bar industry was only beginning to map Asia seriously. Located in Connaught Place, the address puts it at the centre of Delhi's most historically layered commercial district, a short distance from the corridors of Sansad Marg.

Tippling Club has held a place on the World's 50 Best Bars global list every year since 2011, making it one of the most consistently recognised cocktail bars in Asia. Located on Tanjong Pagar Road in Singapore's former warehouse district, the bar operates at the intersection of technical precision and theatrical presentation. A 4.6 Google rating across nearly 740 reviews reflects sustained performance over more than a decade of competition.

Road House in Covent Garden carried enough weight to reach number 34 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, placing it among a small group of London bars that helped define the city's early craft cocktail reputation. Positioned on The Piazza in WC2E, it occupied a competitive tier between neighbourhood specialists and destination cocktail rooms at a moment when London's bar scene was rewriting its own rules.

Ku de Ta has shaped Seminyak's beach-club drinking culture since before the category had a name in Bali. Its 2009 World's 50 Best Bars ranking — at number 35 — confirmed what the island's nightlife crowd already knew: this is the address that set the template for open-air, sunset-facing cocktail programming in Southeast Asia. A Google score of 4.5 across nearly 9,000 reviews speaks to sustained relevance across more than two decades.

Tommy's Mexican Restaurant on Geary Boulevard has appeared on the World's 50 Best Bars list six times between 2009 and 2018, reaching as high as #30 in 2011. The Richmond District institution built its reputation on agave spirits long before the category commanded serious attention, and it holds a 4.5 Google rating across 890 reviews.

Award-winning Hugo's Sydney commands Manly Wharf with panoramic harbor views, where Italian-inspired sophistication meets handcrafted cocktail artistry. This iconic waterfront destination seamlessly transitions from sun-soaked afternoon aperitifs to vibrant evening celebrations, offering ferry access and over 15 years of hospitality excellence.

Boudoir at Dubai Marine Beach Resort earned a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, ranking 38th globally at a time when the city's nightlife was still defining its international register. Set along Jumeirah Street, it occupies a distinct tier in Dubai's bar scene — a venue where atmosphere and occasion converge with a credentialed history behind the bar.

A Soho institution at 26-29 Dean Street, Quo Vadis earned consecutive World's 50 Best Bars placements between 2009 and 2011, peaking at number 39. The bar sits inside a storied building with layers of London history pressed into its walls, and operates a drinks program that rewards the kind of guest who reads a back bar before they order.

A Notting Hill institution that placed twice in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings — number 27 in 2012 and number 40 in 2009 — Portobello Star operates on a stretch of Portobello Road where serious drinking and market-day energy have coexisted for decades. Its gin-focused programme and consistent international recognition place it in a peer set well above its neighbourhood-local appearance.

A late-night institution on Spring Street, Melbourne Supper Club occupies a first-floor room where the wine list runs deep, the hours run long, and the crowd runs from theatre-goers to bar industry professionals. Recognised at World's 50 Best Bars in 2009, it holds a 4.3 Google rating from over 200 reviews and remains one of the city's most durable after-hours rooms.

Julian Schnabel's artistic vision and Ian Schrager's legendary hospitality converge at Rose Bar, Gramercy Park Hotel's exclusive cocktail sanctuary where New York's creative elite gather among contemporary masterpieces for premium craft cocktails and curated cultural experiences.

Planet Bar on Orange Street in Cape Town's Gardens neighbourhood earned back-to-back placements on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009 and 2010, reaching as high as #29. One of the few South African bars to register on the global recognition circuit during that era, it occupies a specific position in the city's cocktail history. Rated 4 stars across 228 Google reviews.

A Swanston Street institution that earned a place at #44 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, The Toff in Town occupies Melbourne's live-music-meets-cocktail-bar niche with staying power. Its second-floor address above the city's retail corridor puts it at a remove from street-level noise, and a Google rating of 4.3 across nearly 700 reviews suggests it holds its reputation across a broad cross-section of visitors.

Asoka on Kloof Street has held a place in the global bar conversation since the late 2000s, earning back-to-back appearances on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009 and 2012. Set in Cape Town's Gardens neighbourhood, it draws a consistent crowd reflected in over 2,500 Google reviews averaging 4.3 stars. For serious bar travellers moving through South Africa, it remains a fixed reference point.

Neo Bar Dubai elevates the rooftop cocktail experience with panoramic city views, Mediterranean-inspired mixology, and sophisticated shisha service. This luxury destination seamlessly blends premium craft cocktails with Dubai's cosmopolitan energy, creating an unforgettable venue for discerning guests seeking elevated nightlife experiences.

Perched on the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab, Skyview Bar entered the World's 50 Best Bars rankings three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011, peaking at number 21. The elevation is literal and competitive: few bars in Dubai can match that combination of architectural context and verified international standing. A 4.6 Google rating across more than 1,000 reviews points to sustained performance rather than novelty alone.

Double Happy on Lichfield Street earned a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, positioning Christchurch inside a global conversation about serious cocktail craft at a moment when New Zealand's bar scene was still finding its register. Holding a 4.3 from nearly 1,900 Google reviews, it remains one of the central city's most consistently rated drinking destinations, sitting alongside peers like Bert's Bar and Cellar Door in the post-rebuild hospitality corridor.

The Tailor Public House elevates Midtown Manhattan's bar scene through its signature "Made to Order" philosophy, where Dublin-born owner Nick's twenty years of hospitality expertise creates an Irish-American haven featuring specialty cocktails, craft beers, and personalized service steps from Madison Square Garden.

One of Sydney's early standard-bearers in serious cocktail culture, The Marchant at 3 Hosking Place earned a World's 50 Best Bars ranking in 2009, placing it alongside a small cohort of Australian bars that defined the country's first wave of internationally recognised bartending. The CBD address and Google rating of 5 from 44 reviews point to a venue that remains known within informed circles rather than tourist foot traffic.