
The 2017 World's 50 Best Bars: Complete Rankings
Globally renowned 2017 list spotlighting exceptional bars.
How many of these have you visited?
Discover on Pearl
American Bar
London, United Kingdom
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.

Dandelyan
London, United Kingdom
Ryan 'Mr. Lyan' Chetiyawardana's revolutionary Dandelyan redefined London luxury through botanical cocktail innovation and Tom Dixon's striking design. This World's Best Bar winner at Mondrian London transformed hotel bar conventions with approachable sophistication, Thames views, and groundbreaking mixology before evolving into Lyaness.

NoMad Bar
New York City, United States
NoMad Bar transforms a restored 19th-century Manhattan building into New York City's most theatrical cocktail destination, where Chris Moore's innovative mixology program and towering copper bar create an atmosphere of Gilded Age grandeur beneath soaring ceilings and antique mirrors.

The Connaught Bar
London, United Kingdom
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.

The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog
New York City, United States
At 30 Water St in Lower Manhattan, The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog has held a position at the top of the global bar rankings for over a decade, reaching number one on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2016. Across two distinct floors, it anchors Irish hospitality to serious cocktail craft in a Financial District setting that draws both locals and visitors with intention.

The Clumsies
Athens, Greece
The Clumsies has placed in the World's 50 Best Bars every year since 2015, reaching as high as third globally in 2020. Operating from a Praxitelous Street townhouse in central Athens, it applies Greek ingredients and fermentation techniques to high-volume bar service without sacrificing precision. With a Google rating of 4.5 across more than 8,000 reviews, it functions as the clearest reference point for serious cocktail drinking in the Greek capital.

Manhattan
Singapore, Singapore
Manhattan at Conrad Singapore Orchard holds one of the most decorated track records in Asian cocktail history, ranking as high as #1 in Asia's 50 Best Bars and #3 globally. Named the Tatler Best Bars Asia-Pacific 2025 Best Service winner, the bar frames Golden Age American cocktail culture through a Singaporean lens. It sits at the upper tier of Orchard Road hotel bars, with a Google rating of 4.7 across more than 1,000 reviews.

Attaboy NYC
New York City, United States
On Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side, Attaboy has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars every year since 2013, reaching as high as #4 globally in 2014. The format is no-menu, guest-led: bartenders build drinks around what you tell them you like. It is one of the most consistently recognised bars in North America over the past decade.

Bar Termini
London, United Kingdom
Bar Termini on Old Compton Street operates at the point where Italian bar culture and London's cocktail scene meet. Ranked as high as #6 in the World's 50 Best Bars, it trades in precision espresso and aperitivo-format drinks across a compact Soho address. Opening hours stretch from morning coffee to late-night cocktails, making it one of the few London bars that earns its space across the full day.

Speak Low
Shanghai, China
Speak Low has placed on the World's 50 Best Bars list every year since 2016, reaching as high as #10 globally in 2017. Spread across three floors of a former French Concession shophouse on Fuxing Middle Road, it remains one of the most consistently recognised cocktail bars in Asia-Pacific, appearing on the Tatler Best Bars Asia-Pacific 2025 list and holding a 4.6 Google rating across 154 reviews.

Little Red Door
Paris, France
Little Red Door has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings every year since 2013, reaching as high as sixth globally. Tucked into Rue Charlot in the Haut-Marais, it functions as a serious cocktail address that has shaped how Paris thinks about bar culture — drawing a neighbourhood crowd as readily as international visitors. Google reviewers rate it 4.4 across more than 2,700 responses.

Happiness Forgets
London, United Kingdom
One of Hoxton Square's most recognised addresses, Happiness Forgets earned a place in the World's 50 Best Bars every year from 2012 to 2019, peaking at number six globally. The basement bar trades in precisely constructed cocktails without theatrical staging, positioning itself in the quieter, more technically serious end of London's drinking culture. Open daily from 5pm, it remains a reference point for how East London reshaped the city's cocktail conversation.

Bar High Five
Tokyo, Japan
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.

Licoreria Limantour
Mexico City, Mexico
On Álvaro Obregón in Roma Norte, Licoreria Limantour has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars every year since 2014, reaching as high as #6 in 2021. The bar operates as a neighbourhood fixture first and an internationally ranked programme second — a combination that has made it the reference point for serious cocktail culture in Mexico City. Google reviewers rate it 4.4 across more than 3,600 ratings.

Atlas
Singapore, Singapore
Housed inside Parkview Square's art deco tower on North Bridge Road, Atlas has ranked continuously in the World's 50 Best Bars since 2017 — peaking at number four globally in 2020. The bar's gin collection and art deco setting have made it a reference point for Singapore's cocktail scene, recognised by Tatler Asia for Best Design in 2024 and listed among the Top 500 Bars globally in 2025.

Dante NYC
New York City, United States
A MacDougal Street fixture since 1915, Dante NYC has ranked among the world's most recognised bars for nearly a decade, holding the number-one spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2019. The bar's Italian aperitivo tradition, sustained critical recognition, and Greenwich Village address place it in a peer set well above the typical neighbourhood anchor. Google reviewers rate it 4.5 across more than 2,500 votes.

Oriole
London, United Kingdom
Oriole has held a place among London's most recognised cocktail bars since its mid-2010s opening in Covent Garden, reaching No.17 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in both 2017 and 2018. Now ranked No.92 in the Top 500 Bars for 2025, the bar operates at 7–9 Slingsby Place, WC2E, with a 4.7 Google rating across more than 1,100 reviews.

Broken Shaker
Miami, United States
One of the most decorated bars in North America, Broken Shaker operates from a Miami Beach hostel courtyard and has held a top-25 position on the World's 50 Best Bars list across multiple consecutive years. The program leans into produce-driven cocktails with seasonal sourcing, placing it in a peer set defined by technique and ingredient philosophy rather than nightlife spectacle. Rated Pearl Recommended by EP Club in 2025.

Candelaria
Paris, France
A taqueria on Rue de Saintonge that conceals one of Paris's most decorated cocktail bars behind an unmarked interior door. Candelaria built its reputation on Mexican spirits and inventive mixing, earning a place inside the World's 50 Best Bars top 20 across multiple consecutive years. The Google rating of 4.3 across nearly 3,000 reviews reflects a crowd that returns for the drinks, not the novelty.

Himkok
Oslo, Norway
Behind an unassuming wooden door on Storgata, Himkok operates across several floors and formats: a draft cocktail bar, a terrace pouring local ciders, a barbershop, and a ground-floor distillery bar where house-made aquavit, gin, and vodka go directly from still to glass. Ranked #6 in Top 500 Bars (2025) and #11 in World's 50 Best Bars (2024), it is one of Scandinavia's most consistently recognised cocktail programmes.

The Gibson
London, United Kingdom
Marian Beke's historically-inspired The Gibson London elevated cocktail craftsmanship to theatrical artistry within an atmospheric Edwardian setting, where sensory-driven drinks and bespoke ingredients created immersive journeys through mixology's golden age until its celebrated run concluded in 2023.

Black Pearl
Melbourne, Australia
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.

Florería Atlantico
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Florería Atlantico has appeared in the World's 50 Best Bars every year since 2013, peaking at #3 in 2019. Set beneath a flower shop on Calle Arroyo, it draws on Argentina's migrant histories and Indigenous traditions to build one of South America's most rigorously conceptual cocktail programs. The 4.2 Google rating across nearly 7,500 reviews suggests the ambition lands consistently.

Operation Dagger
Singapore, Singapore
Operation Dagger has earned consecutive placements on both the World's 50 Best Bars global list and Asia's 50 Best Bars since 2016, reaching as high as number 6 in Asia. Located on Neil Road in the Tanjong Pagar district, it operates as a serious craft cocktail bar with a technically driven program that has made it a reference point in Singapore's bar scene for nearly a decade.

28 HongKong Street
Singapore, Singapore
One of Singapore's most decorated cocktail bars, 28 HongKong Street occupies a converted shophouse on 28 Hong Kong St and has appeared in the World's 50 Best Bars list every year since 2012. A sustained run of recognition — including a #1 Asia ranking in 2016 — places it among the bars that shaped the city's modern cocktail identity. Google reviewers rate it 4.4 across more than 1,100 scores.

Trick Dog
San Francisco, United States
Trick Dog has held a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list every year since 2014, making it one of the most consistently recognized bars on the West Coast. Located at 3010 20th St in San Francisco's Mission District, it opens from 4pm daily and runs cocktail menus built around rotating conceptual themes rather than static lists. Google reviewers rate it 4.5 across more than 1,200 ratings.

Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company
Miami, United States
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company has held a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list since 2017, reaching as high as #21 globally in 2018. Located on 20th Street in Miami Beach, it operates as one of the most credentialed cocktail bars in Florida, drawing both local regulars and visiting drinkers who track the North America rankings closely. A Google rating of 4.6 across more than 2,500 reviews reinforces its sustained standing.

Indulge Experimental Bistro
Taipei, Taiwan
Experimental Bistro has held a position inside the World's 50 Best Bars global ranking for seven consecutive years, reaching Asia's Best Bars #2 in 2018 and #3 in 2019. Located in Taipei's Da'an District, it represents the sharper edge of Taiwan's bar scene, where international technique meets local produce. Few bars in Asia have sustained this level of recognition across as many consecutive cycles.

Lost & Found
Nicosia, Italy
Lost & Found on Lord Byron Street has carried Nicosia onto the global cocktail map, appearing in the World's 50 Best Bars every year from 2015 to 2023, reaching as high as number 25. With a Google rating of 4.6 from nearly 600 reviews, it holds a position that few bars anywhere in the eastern Mediterranean can match. For cocktail drinkers passing through Cyprus, this address is the reference point.

Baba au Rum
Athens, Greece
Eleven consecutive appearances on the World's 50 Best Bars list — most recently ranked #17 in 2024 — position Baba au Rum as one of the most consistently recognised bars in Europe. Located at Klitiou 6 in central Athens, the bar's back bar holds more than 400 rums, and its rum-and-cocktail-society format has drawn a devoted local and international following for over 15 years.

Tippling Club
Singapore, Singapore
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.

Blacktail
New York City, United States
Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry's Blacktail recreates Prohibition-era Havana in the heart of Manhattan, where historically accurate Cuban cocktails and immersive period design transport guests to the golden age of American bartending in 1920s Cuba.

Jerry Thomas Speakeasy
Rome, Italy
One of Rome's most awarded cocktail bars, Jerry Thomas Speakeasy has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars since 2013, peaking at number 19 before settling into a consistent presence in global rankings. Its speakeasy format, tucked into a narrow alley off Campo de' Fiori, represents the pre-theatrical era of the genre before the city's bar scene moved toward more transparent technical programs. A 4.5 Google rating across more than 1,600 reviews confirms enduring local and visitor appeal.

Le Syndicat
Paris, France
Le Syndicat on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis occupies a corner of the 10th arrondissement where French spirits have been the only currency since day one. Ranked 24th on World's 50 Best Bars in 2018 and holding a spot in the Top 500 in 2025, it sits among a small set of Paris bars that have shaped how the city thinks about domestic production. Google reviews average 4.5 across more than 1,500 ratings.

Tales & Spirits
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tales & Spirits occupies a narrow alley off Amsterdam's Nieuwmarkt and has appeared in the World's 50 Best Bars list every year from 2014 to 2018, reaching as high as number 18. With a 4.6 rating across nearly 2,000 Google reviews, it sits at the upper end of Amsterdam's cocktail tier, drawing a crowd that comes specifically for the programme rather than the address.

Bar Benfiddich
Tokyo, Japan
Bar Benfiddich occupies the ninth floor of a Nishishinjuku building, operating nightly from 18:00 as one of Asia's most consistently recognised cocktail bars — ranked #9 in Asia's Best Bars 2025 and #25 globally in 2024. Its 17-seat walnut counter frames a program built around farm-grown botanicals, antique tools, and a working distillery in Chichibu, producing drinks that shift with each harvest.

Employees Only NYC
New York City, United States
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.

Schuman's Bar
Munich, Germany
Schuman's Bar has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars every year between 2010 and 2019, reaching as high as number 20 in 2010. Positioned at Odeonsplatz, one of Munich's most architecturally considered public squares, it occupies a tier of German cocktail bars that compete internationally rather than regionally. A Google rating of 3.7 across more than 1,500 reviews suggests a venue that polarises, which is often the mark of a bar with a clear point of view.

La Factoría
San Juan, Puerto Rico
La Factoría has held a position in the World's 50 Best Bars global rankings every year since 2015, reaching #12 in North America in 2022. Located on Calle San José in Old San Juan, it operates Tuesday through Saturday on daytime and early-afternoon hours, making visit timing a genuine planning consideration. Rated 4.6 across more than 4,200 Google reviews, it occupies the upper tier of Puerto Rico's bar scene.

Quinary
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
On Hollywood Road in Central, Quinary has anchored Hong Kong's serious cocktail scene since 2012. Named to the World's 50 Best Bars list every year from 2013 through 2021, and ranked among Asia's Best Bars consistently through 2025, it sits in a peer tier defined by technical precision and longevity rather than novelty. A Google rating of 4.6 across more than 900 reviews signals a floor of reliability that few bars at this level maintain.

The Aviary
Chicago, United States
The Aviary sits at the intersection of cocktail theatre and serious bar food in Chicago's Fulton Market district. Ranked as high as #13 on the World's 50 Best Bars list, it applies a kitchen-driven approach to drink-making that has kept it on the Pearl Recommended Bar list through 2025. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 5pm, it operates at a level where reservations are not optional.

Mace
New York City, United States
Mace has held a position inside the World's 50 Best Bars rankings since 2015, making it one of New York City's most consistently recognised spice-driven cocktail bars. Located at 35 West 8th Street in Greenwich Village, it operates in a tier of technically serious, ingredient-led programs that have shaped how the city thinks about flavour. Google reviewers rate it 4.4 across nearly a thousand responses.

Nightjar
London, United Kingdom
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.

Tjoget
Stockholm, Sweden
Tjoget has held a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list every year since 2016, making it one of the most consistently recognised bars in Scandinavia. Located on Hornsbruksgatan in Södermalm, it operates as a genuine neighbourhood bar first, with a drinks programme serious enough to draw an international crowd. With a Google rating of 4.2 across more than 1,000 reviews, the regulars and the pilgrims seem to agree.

The Baxter Inn
Sydney, Australia
A Clarence Street basement that spent six consecutive years inside the World's 50 Best Bars top ten, The Baxter Inn is the reference point for serious whisky drinking in Sydney. The format is deliberate — low ceilings, candlelight, and a back-bar collection that runs to several hundred bottles. Plan to arrive before 9pm if you want a stool.

ABV
San Francisco, United States
ABV on 16th Street has been one of San Francisco's most consistently recognized bars since the mid-2010s, appearing on the World's 50 Best Bars list in both 2016 and 2017 and earning a Pearl Recommended Bar distinction in 2025. The Mission District address places it inside a neighborhood that runs serious on food and drink, and its sustained presence across multiple award cycles marks it as a reference point for the city's cocktail program.

Native
Singapore, Singapore
Native on Amoy Street has spent nearly a decade placing Southeast Asian foraged and fermented ingredients at the centre of Singapore's cocktail conversation. Ranked among Asia's top bars every year since 2017, including a peak of #4 in Asia and #12 globally in 2019, it occupies a tier defined by conceptual rigour and ingredient provenance rather than spectacle or volume.

Tommy's Mexican Restaurant
San Francisco, United States
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.

Lobster Bar
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Lobster Bar sits on Level 6 of Pacific Place in Central, and its awards record tells a pointed story: four consecutive Asia's Best Bars top-ten finishes between 2015 and 2018, including a global ranking of #18, mark it as one of Hong Kong's most consistently recognised cocktail programs. The bar holds a Google rating of 4.4 from 265 reviews and remains a reference point for the city's upscale hotel bar circuit.

Imperial Craft
Tel Aviv, Israel
Imperial Craft occupies a prime position on Tel Aviv's seafront at Atarim Square, earning a place in the World's 50 Best Bars twice — reaching No. 17 in 2015. The bar holds a 4.5 Google rating across nearly 2,000 reviews, signalling consistent delivery at volume. For serious cocktail drinkers visiting Tel Aviv, it remains a reference point on the city's bar circuit.
Overview
The 2017 World's 50 Best Bars list ranked the top 50 cocktail bars globally, with American Bar in London taking the number one position. The list featured 50 venues across 24 cities in 19 countries, representing a complete refresh from the previous year's rankings. London dominated with four bars in the top ten, while New York City claimed three spots.
The 2017 edition marked a significant shift in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings, with a complete turnover from the previous year—all 50 venues were new to the list. American Bar at The Savoy in London claimed the top spot, replacing Eleven Madison Park from 2016. London's dominance was clear with four top-ten placements, including Dandelyan at #2, The Connaught Bar at #4, and Bar Termini at #9. New York City followed with three entries: NoMad Bar (#3), The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog (#5), and Attaboy NYC (#8). The geographic spread extended to 24 cities across 19 countries, with notable appearances from Athens, Singapore, and Shanghai rounding out the top ten.
London swept the 2017 World's 50 Best Bars, taking four of the top ten spots including the number one ranking for American Bar. The 2017 list represented a complete reset from the previous edition—all 50 venues were new entries, with every bar from 2016 dropping off. Beyond London's dominance, New York City claimed three top-ten positions, while Athens, Singapore, and Shanghai each secured single spots in the elite tier. The full list spanned 24 cities across 19 countries.
Quick Facts
- Number One Bar
- American Bar (London)
- Total Venues
- 50 bars
- Countries Represented
- 19 countries
- Cities Represented
- 24 cities
- Top City
- London (4 bars in top 10)
- New Entries
- 50 (complete list refresh)
- Venues Retained
- 0 from 2016
About This Edition
The 2017 World's 50 Best Bars list underwent a complete transformation, with all 50 venues representing new entries compared to the previous year's rankings. American Bar in London topped the list, leading a particularly strong showing for the UK capital, which placed four bars in the top ten—more than any other city. Dandelyan came in second, followed by The Connaught Bar at fourth and Bar Termini at ninth.
New York City was the second-most represented city in the top tier, with NoMad Bar (#3), The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog (#5), and Attaboy NYC (#8). The geographic diversity extended well beyond these two cities, with The Clumsies bringing Athens into the top ten at #6, Manhattan representing Singapore at #7, and Speak Low putting Shanghai on the map at #10.
The complete turnover from the 2016 edition—where Eleven Madison Park had held the top position—marked an unusual shift in the list's methodology or eligibility criteria. With 50 venues across 24 cities in 19 countries, the 2017 rankings demonstrated the global nature of cocktail culture while showing clear clustering in established bar capitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Find out on Pearl and keep score across every place in 2017 World's 50 Best Bars.

