Skip to main content
    2017 World's 50 Best Bars by World's 50 Best (2017)
    Bar2017

    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
    42 locationsWorld's 50 Best

    Venues on this list

    American Bar, London, United Kingdom
    #1

    American Bar

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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
    #2

    Dandelyan

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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, groundbreaking mixology before evolving into Lyaness.

    The Connaught Bar, London, United Kingdom
    #4

    The Connaught Bar

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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
    #5

    The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog

    New York City, United States

    Bar

    The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog sits in New York City's Irish-bar lineage with a more serious cocktail pedigree than the category usually suggests. Its two-floor format, Irish produce and hospitality brief, long run on World's 50 Best Bars lists make it a useful reference point for how tavern energy and awards-level drinks can share the same room.

    The Clumsies, Athens, Greece
    #6

    The Clumsies

    Athens, Greece

    Bar

    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., it functions as the clearest reference point for serious cocktail drinking in the Greek capital.

    Manhattan, Singapore, Singapore
    #7

    Manhattan

    Singapore, Singapore

    Bar

    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.

    Attaboy NYC, New York City, United States
    #8

    Attaboy NYC

    New York City, United States

    Bar

    Attaboy NYC is a New York City cocktail bar with no printed menu, a bespoke drinking format, a long awards trail that runs through World's 50 Best Bars and Top 500 Bars. Its lineage from the former Milk & Honey space gives it rare historical weight, while the 2025 expansion changed access without abandoning the bar's tightly controlled style.

    Bar Termini, London, United Kingdom
    #9

    Bar Termini

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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
    #10

    Speak Low

    Shanghai, China

    Bar

    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.

    Little Red Door, Paris, France
    #11

    Little Red Door

    Paris, France

    Bar

    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.

    Happiness Forgets, London, United Kingdom
    #12

    Happiness Forgets

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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
    #13

    Bar High Five

    Tokyo, Japan

    Bar

    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, drinks built around the guest rather than the menu. reflects consistent execution over more than a decade.

    Licoreria Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico
    #14

    Licoreria Limantour

    Mexico City, Mexico

    Bar

    Licorería Limantour helped define Mexico City’s modern cocktail culture from its Roma Norte address, with recognition across World’s 50 Best Bars, North America’s 50 Best Bars, Top 500 Bars, Pearl Recommended Bar in 2025. Expect a high-volume room with serious technical control, Mexican-rooted drinks, a playful approach to back-bar nostalgia.

    Dante NYC, New York City, United States
    #16

    Dante NYC

    New York City, United States

    Bar

    Dante NYC is a West Village aperitivo address with serious bar-world credentials: The World's Best Bar in 2019 and a long run across World's 50 Best Bars and North America's Best Bars lists. Its pull is not secrecy or spectacle, but the modern New York version of an Italian café-bar, built around negronis, garibaldis, vermouths, spritzes, classic cocktails and all-day food.

    Oriole, London, United Kingdom
    #17

    Oriole

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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 to 9 Slingsby Place, WC2E.

    Broken Shaker, Miami, United States
    #18

    Broken Shaker

    Miami, United States

    Bar

    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 comparable set defined by technique and ingredient philosophy rather than nightlife spectacle. Rated Pearl Recommended by EP Club in 2025.

    Candelaria, Paris, France
    #19

    Candelaria

    Paris, France

    Bar

    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 reflects a crowd that returns for the drinks, not the novelty.

    Himkok, Oslo, Norway
    #20

    Himkok

    Oslo, Norway

    Bar

    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, a ground-floor distillery bar where house-made aquavit, gin, 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
    #21

    The Gibson

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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
    #22

    Black Pearl

    Melbourne, Australia

    Bar

    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. Its longevity in a competitive field says more than any single award.

    Florería Atlantico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
    #23

    Florería Atlantico

    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Bar

    Florería Atlantico is Buenos Aires drinking culture at its internationally recognised end: a cocktail bar whose programme draws on migration, Indigenous influence, Argentina’s Atlantic-facing history. Its long run on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, including #46 in 2024 and #90 in 2025, makes it a reference point for visitors comparing the city’s serious cocktail rooms.

    Operation Dagger, Singapore, Singapore
    #24

    Operation Dagger

    Singapore, Singapore

    Bar

    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
    #25

    28 HongKong Street

    Singapore, Singapore

    Bar

    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.

    Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company, Miami, United States
    #27

    Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company

    Miami, United States

    Bar

    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. reinforces its sustained standing.

    Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan
    #28

    Indulge Experimental Bistro

    Taipei, Taiwan

    Bar

    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
    #29

    Lost & Found

    Nicosia, Italy

    Bar

    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., 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.

    Blacktail, New York City, United States
    #32

    Blacktail

    New York City, United States

    Bar

    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
    #33

    Jerry Thomas Speakeasy

    Rome, Italy

    Bar

    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. confirms enduring local and visitor appeal.

    Tales & Spirits, Amsterdam, Netherlands
    #35

    Tales & Spirits

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Bar

    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.

    Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
    #36

    Bar Benfiddich

    Tokyo, Japan

    Bar

    Bar Benfiddich belongs to Tokyo’s serious cocktail tier: a 17-seat Nishishinjuku room where farm botanicals, old bottles and historical technique shape the programme. Its repeated Asia’s Best Bars and World’s 50 Best Bars placements make it a reference point for drinkers comparing Tokyo’s precision-led bars with more improvisational, ingredient-driven counters.

    Employees Only NYC, New York City, United States
    #37

    Employees Only NYC

    New York City, United States

    Bar

    <strong>Employees Only NYC</strong> remains a defining West <strong>Village cocktail</strong> room because it treats classic drinking as theatre without letting the room swallow the drinks. Its long run on the World's <strong>50 Best Bars</strong> list, including #95 globally and #18 in <strong>North America</strong> for 2025, places it in a rare category: a 2004-era <strong>New York</strong> bar that continues to compete with younger technical programs.

    Schuman's Bar, Munich, Germany
    #38

    Schuman's Bar

    Munich, Germany

    Bar

    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. 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
    #39

    La Factoría

    San Juan, Puerto Rico

    Bar

    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. It occupies the upper tier of Puerto Rico's bar scene.

    Quinary, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    #40

    Quinary

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Bar

    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, ranked among Asia's Best Bars consistently through 2025, it sits in a peer tier defined by technical precision and longevity rather than novelty. signals a floor of reliability that few bars at this level maintain.

    The Aviary, Chicago, United States
    #41

    The Aviary

    Chicago, United States

    Bar

    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
    #42

    Mace

    New York City, United States

    Bar

    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.

    Nightjar, London, United Kingdom
    #43

    Nightjar

    London, United Kingdom

    Bar

    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, 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.

    The Baxter Inn, Sydney, Australia
    #45

    The Baxter Inn

    Sydney, Australia

    Bar

    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, 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
    #46

    ABV

    San Francisco, United States

    Bar

    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, its sustained presence across multiple award cycles marks it as a reference point for the city's cocktail program.

    Native, Singapore, Singapore
    #47

    Native

    Singapore, Singapore

    Bar

    Native sits in Singapore’s serious cocktail tier, with repeat appearances on World’s 50 Best Bars, Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Top 500 Bars. Its value is not spectacle; it is a drink programme that helped make regional ingredients, technical prep, local reference points part of the city’s premium bar conversation.

    Lobster Bar, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    #49

    Lobster Bar

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Bar

    Lobster Bar sits on Level 6 of Pacific Place in Central, 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. 4 from 265 reviews and remains a reference point for the city's upscale hotel bar circuit.

    Imperial Craft, Tel Aviv, Israel
    #50

    Imperial Craft

    Tel Aviv, Israel

    Bar

    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, 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

    What bar ranked first on the 2017 World's 50 Best Bars list?
    American Bar in London took the number one position on the 2017 World's 50 Best Bars list, replacing Eleven Madison Park from the previous year's rankings.
    Which city had the most bars in the 2017 top ten?
    London dominated with four bars in the top ten: American Bar (#1), Dandelyan (#2), The Connaught Bar (#4), and Bar Termini (#9). New York City came second with three entries.
    How many bars from the 2016 list returned in 2017?
    Zero bars from the 2016 edition appeared on the 2017 list. All 50 venues were new entries, representing a complete refresh of the rankings from the previous year.
    How many countries were represented on the 2017 list?
    The 2017 World's 50 Best Bars included venues from 19 countries across 24 cities, with representation spanning from Athens to Shanghai in the top ten alone.
    Track this list

    How many of these have you visited?

    Find out on Pearl and keep score across every place in 2017 World's 50 Best Bars.