Tales Spirited Awards 2026: Best New International Cocktail Bar Nominees

Cave De Vie is worth using as a flexible Paris drinks stop, especially for two people who want an intimate room without committing the whole evening to dinner. The hybrid retail-and-bar format and $30-per-person price point make it a good-value repeat visit, while its 2026 Tales Spirited Awards nomination adds confidence for cocktail-minded guests.

Book Montana for a drinks-first Central night, especially if you want a Hong Kong cocktail bar with 2026 SCMP 100 Top Tables Bars recognition and a Tales Spirited Awards Best New International Cocktail Bar Top 10 Nominee signal. Skip it as a dinner substitute unless food details are part of your plan.

Despacho Margarita is worth prioritizing if the group wants a focused agave-spirits bar rather than a generic cocktail stop. The room is compact and casual, the Margarita program has real technical depth, and the bottle-shop format makes it useful for guests who want to learn while drinking.

Shakerato works for an evening-led Amsterdam plan when atmosphere matters more than a documented chef, menu, or price signal. It is a practical pick for a casual return visit or small-group night out, but less convincing for dietary-sensitive dining, a major occasion, or anyone who wants a clearly defined tasting-menu experience.

Chow Chow House works for a casual Mexico City night when the group wants cocktails and Chinese food in one stop. The appeal is the hybrid format, late-night energy, accessible listed spend, and a 2026 Tales Spirited Awards Best New International Cocktail Bar Top 10 nomination, rather than a verified signature order.

Waltz is a good Shoreditch pick for a small, cocktail-focused stop rather than a big group night or formal private event. The strongest reason to consider it is the 2026 Opinionated About Dining recognition, which gives this newer London bar a credible quality signal without enough public detail to justify over-planning an entire evening around it.

Three Horses works for a casual cocktail-led night in Melbourne’s CBD, especially if you want an easy, social room rather than a formal lounge. The 2026 Tales Spirited Awards Best New International Cocktail Bar Top 10 Nominee signal gives it credibility at about $30 per person, but it is less suited to dinner plans, outdoor seating, or wine-first drinking.

Mius is a Central cocktail pick for drinkers who want a current Hong Kong bar with 2026 recognition, not a fully mapped dining plan. It is easiest to recommend for dates, two-person bar crawls, or late-evening drinks; wine-first guests should compare it with James Suckling Wine Central before committing.

Pop City x Pony is a Japanese-inspired collaboration bar in Singapore with an easy booking profile and a drinks-first identity. It rewards return visits more than first-timer bar-hopping. If you've already been once, go back and work further into the menu. For a date or a group with more structural needs, Atlas or 28 HongKong Street may serve you better.

Book Abstract Bistrot for a polished, design-led cocktail stop in Paris, especially if the night is about focused drinks rather than dinner. It is a stronger fit for couples or small groups than for large parties, outdoor-seating plans, or anyone who needs a detailed menu in advance.