The 2011 World's 50 Best Bars: Rankings and Analysis

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.

The Connaught Bar has appeared in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings every year since 2010, reaching number one twice. Its David Collins-designed interior and technically precise cocktail programme — anchored by a signature tableside Dry Martini — set the standard by which other hotel bars in London and beyond are measured. Open Tuesday through Sunday in the heart of Mayfair.

Artesian at The Langham London held the World's 50 Best Bars number one position four consecutive years from 2012 to 2015, a run that placed it at the centre of London's cocktail conversation for a generation. The bar carries a Google rating of 4.6 from 865 reviews and has maintained a presence in the Top 500 Bars list through 2025. It remains one of the most award-documented hotel bars in Europe.

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.

Few bars in London carry a ranking history as sustained as American Bar at the Savoy. From World's 50 Best number one in 2017 to consistent top-twenty placement across more than a decade, its position in the global cocktail conversation is grounded in verifiable record rather than reputation alone. The Strand address puts it at the centre of London's most storied hospitality corridor.

69 Colebrooke Row is a compact cocktail bar on Islington's canal-adjacent backstreets that spent the early 2010s placing consistently inside the World's 50 Best Bars — reaching number seven in 2011 and number eight in 2012. The bar holds a 4.6 Google rating across more than 700 reviews, and remains one of the addresses that shaped how London thinks about the serious cocktail bar format.

Drink Boston pioneered the no-menu cocktail experience in Fort Point's subterranean setting, where James Beard Award-winning mixologists craft entirely bespoke cocktails through intimate conversations with guests. This minimalist sanctuary has influenced the national cocktail scene since 2008, offering personalized luxury bar service that transforms every visit into a unique discovery.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beneath a Wynyard Lane laneway entrance, Eau de Vie operates as one of Sydney's most credentialed cocktail bars, having held a World's 50 Best Bars ranking continuously from 2011 through 2014, peaking at number 13. The program sits in a tier defined by technical precision rather than theatrical novelty. Holding a 4.6 Google rating across nearly 700 reviews, it remains a reference point for serious drinking in the CBD.

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.

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.

La Capilla sits on Hidalgo street in the old town of Tequila, Jalisco, and holds a place in the World's 50 Best Bars record that few cantinas anywhere can match: four consecutive rankings between 2011 and 2014, peaking at number 16. The bar is less a cocktail destination in the contemporary sense and more a living document of how Mexico's national spirit has been served and celebrated in its birthplace for generations.

The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast carries a placing of #17 in the World's 50 Best Bars (2011) and a Google rating of 4.6 across more than 2,300 reviews. Set in a Victorian former bank on Skipper Street, the bar trades in classic cocktail craft, an extensive spirits collection, and the kind of formal-but-warm Irish hospitality that the city does better than most.

A basement bar on City Road that has spent over a decade among the world's most recognised cocktail addresses, Nightjar deals in prohibition-era atmosphere, live jazz, and technically elaborate drinks. Ranked as high as No. 2 in the World's 50 Best Bars, it opens nightly from 6pm until 3am, making it one of London's few serious late-night destinations for craft cocktails.

Smuggler's Cove on Gough Street is San Francisco's most decorated rum bar, appearing in the World's 50 Best Bars every year from 2011 to 2016 and holding a Pearl Recommended status in 2025. The bar opens daily from 5pm and closes at 1:45am, making it one of the city's later-running serious cocktail destinations. A Google rating of 4.6 across more than 3,100 reviews confirms its sustained standing with both regulars and first-time visitors.

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.

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.

The Varnish Los Angeles pioneered the city's craft cocktail renaissance from a hidden speakeasy behind Cole's historic saloon. Eric Alperin's intimate bar transforms classic cocktails through personalized service and meticulous technique, establishing the authentic speakeasy experience that influenced an entire generation of LA mixologists.

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.

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.

A founding address of Buenos Aires cocktail culture, 878 Bar has operated from Villa Crespo since the early 2000s, drawing the city's food and beverage crowd to its low-lit rooms on Thames street. Ranked No. 25 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2011 and still appearing in the Top 500 Bars in 2025, it remains a durable reference point in a city where the bar scene has grown considerably more competitive.

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.

Few bars in London have sustained the kind of award trajectory that Callooh Callay built across the early 2010s, climbing to number nine on the World's 50 Best Bars list before settling into a longer-term presence on the Top 500. On Rivington Street in Shoreditch, the bar has developed a loyal following that returns not for novelty but for consistency, wit, and a program that rewards repeat visits.

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.

Door 74 on Reguliersdwarsstraat has held a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list multiple times since 2011, reaching as high as #15 in 2013. One of Amsterdam's most consistently recognised cocktail addresses, it operates behind a discreet entrance on a street better known for its nightlife than its craft bartending. A 4.5-star Google rating across more than 1,700 reviews confirms its standing with a broad cross-section of visitors.

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.

Few bars carry the weight of Floridita on Calle Obispo in Havana. Ranked #31 in the World's 50 Best Bars in 2011 and #40 in North America's 50 Best Bars in 2022, it remains the reference address for the daiquiri in its city of origin — a gathering place for locals, tourists, and anyone with a serious interest in where Cuban cocktail culture began.

City Space earned back-to-back placement at #32 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2010 and 2011, positioning it among the small group of Moscow bars that carried the city's cocktail reputation internationally during that period. Situated on Kosmodamianskaya Naberezhnaya along the Moscow River, it holds a 4.5 Google rating across more than 700 reviews — a score that speaks to durability well beyond its awards moment.

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.

Bar High Five has appeared on the World's 50 Best Bars list every year since 2011, reaching as high as #3 globally in 2013. Located in a basement in Ginza, it represents the classical Tokyo bar tradition — precise technique, minimal theatre, and drinks built around the guest rather than the menu. A 4.3 Google rating across 715 reviews reflects consistent execution over more than a decade.

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.

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.

One of Barcelona's most enduring cocktail addresses, Boadas occupies a triangular corner at the foot of Carrer dels Tallers with the quiet confidence of a bar that has never needed to announce itself. Ranked #85 in the World's 50 Best Bars 2025 and holding a Google rating of 4.3 across over 2,200 reviews, it draws a mixed crowd of locals and informed visitors who understand that brevity and precision are the house style.

Dutch Kills earned back-to-back World's 50 Best Bars rankings in 2011 and 2012, placing it among a small cohort of New York bars to achieve that recognition from a Queens address rather than Manhattan. With a 4.5 Google rating across more than 1,200 reviews, it has held its position in the serious cocktail conversation well beyond its peak press years — a reliable indicator of sustained execution rather than momentary hype.

Worship St Whistling Shop revolutionized London's cocktail scene through its immersive Victorian gin palace concept and award-winning mixology. This underground Shoreditch speakeasy earned three consecutive years on the World's 50 Best Bars list, serving theatrical cocktails like the Zazel in an atmospheric setting that transported guests to 19th-century London's clandestine drinking dens.

Thad Vogler's BarAgricole San Francisco revolutionizes luxury cocktail culture through single-origin spirits, exclusive producer collaborations, and an integrated bottle shop. This architecturally stunning Mission District destination combines award-winning mixology with sustainable design, offering discerning guests both exceptional cocktails and rare spirits to take home.

Papa Doble in Montpellier reached #41 in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings in 2011, placing it among a small group of French bars recognised at that level during cocktail culture's early international moment. Located on Rue du Petit Scel in the city centre, it holds a 4.3 Google rating across 342 reviews. For serious cocktail drinkers in the south of France, it remains a reference point.

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 subterranean Shoreditch bar on Great Eastern Street that reached No. 43 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2011, Lounge Bohemia operates in the theatrical, low-capacity tier that defines London's most serious cocktail addresses. With a 4.3 Google rating across 569 reviews, it remains a reference point for the neighbourhood's experimental drinking culture.

The Vazquez family's Mayahuel New York City transforms Astoria into a temple of Mexican tradition, where house-made tortillas crafted through ancient nixtamalization meet premium agave spirits in an atmosphere of genuine familia hospitality that honors the Aztec goddess of maguey.

Mutis is an Eixample cocktail bar that earned consecutive World's 50 Best Bars rankings between 2011 and 2013, peaking at number 16 globally. Sitting on Carrer de Còrsega in Barcelona's grid-planned residential and commercial centre, it operates as a neighbourhood fixture rather than a destination spectacle, drawing a mix of locals and informed visitors who track its sustained critical recognition.

Ruby has appeared in the World's 50 Best Bars list every year from 2011 through 2023, reaching as high as #22 in 2013 — a record of sustained recognition that places it among the most consistently acknowledged cocktail bars in Scandinavia. Situated on Nybrogade in Copenhagen's inner city, it holds a 4.5 Google rating across more than 2,000 reviews and remains a reference point for the city's serious cocktail scene.

Rules at 35 Maiden Lane holds a claim few London bars can match: it earned a World's 50 Best Bars ranking back in 2011, when that list still moved fast enough to register genuine consensus. The room itself reads as a working archive of Covent Garden's long hospitality tradition, and the drinks programme sits in the classic-leaning tier of the London bar scene. Open Monday through Sunday with generous hours.

Located inside the Ritz Paris at 38 Rue Cambon, the Hemingway Bar has ranked in the World's 50 Best Bars every year from 2010 to 2014, reaching as high as #24. With a Google rating of 4.5 from 735 reviews and a 2025 Top 500 Bars listing at #303, it remains one of the most credentialed hotel bars in Europe, positioned at the upper tier of Paris cocktail culture.

Zuma at DIFC has held a place inside the World's 50 Best Bars global ranking across multiple years, peaking at #17 in 2021, with consecutive Star Wine List recognitions through 2026. The bar program sits above the restaurant floor in Gate Village and operates at the serious end of Dubai's cocktail and spirits market. Regulars come for Japanese-inspired drinking as much as dining.

Star Bar Ginza has appeared on the World's 50 Best Bars list eight times since 2010, placing it among the most consistently recognised bars in Asia. Located in a basement on Ginza's main strip, it operates with the quiet precision Tokyo's top-tier bar culture demands. Weekday hours close earlier than the weekend, making evening timing worth planning around.