The 50 Best Bars 2026 - Special Awards

Line is worth prioritising if cocktails are the point of the night in Athens, backed by World's 50 Best Bars #6 in 2024 and Top 500 Bars Best Bars #120 in 2025. It is less useful for late-night plans, since listed hours end at 21:00, so treat it as an early anchor rather than a final stop.

Panda & Sons is a cocktail bar on Queen Street in Edinburgh.

Bar Mauro is worth prioritizing for cocktail-focused travelers in Roma Norte, backed by major bar awards in 2025 and 2026. It is a stronger fit for dates or small groups than for loose parties of four or more, especially given the hard booking profile and lack of confirmed food or pricing details.

Saikindō is a sensible Al Maryah Island pick for a dressed-up date, client evening, or late celebration when location and atmosphere are the priority. It is less compelling for diners who need a clearly documented chef, cuisine style, sourcing story, or signature dishes before booking, so compare it with Abu Dhabi's more established dining names if the meal itself has to be the focus.

Book this for a cocktail-focused Athens night, especially as a date or small-group anchor. The awards profile is strong enough to justify planning ahead, but larger groups should compare it with wine bars or food-led venues before committing.

Alquímico is worth prioritizing when your Cartagena night is built around cocktails rather than views, dinner, or a casual crawl. Its World's 50 Best Bars recognition makes it the serious drinks choice in El Centro, but the better fit is a small group or date that can plan around demand.

Paradiso is a cocktail bar on Carrer de Rera Palau in Barcelona.

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.

schmuck. earned a spot 's Best of the Hit List for 2025, and the East Village room justifies the recognition for small-group celebrations and solo dinners alike. Booking is straightforward by New York standards. Skip it if you need a private room for a large group; choose it when the occasion calls for somewhere with genuine momentum rather than institutional familiarity.