Top 500 Bars 2026: The Definitive Global Rankings — Page 3

Fura is a good Singapore shortlist pick for diners who want chef-led Modern European cooking without defaulting to a hotel dining room. The strongest signal is its Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in Asia Recommended recognition for 2026; the main caution is practical opacity around pricing, format, group setup.

Book Salmon Guru Dubai when cocktails are the main event and Business Bay is convenient. Its 2025 and 2026 bar recognition makes it a more credible drinks-first choice than a generic lounge, but it is less suited to wine-led dinners, large groups needing fixed details, or anyone prioritizing a full restaurant plan.

Angel's Share is a strong West Village choice when the night calls for a wine-focused evening rather than a full restaurant production. Booking is easy, the fit is strongest for dates or small groups, the safer move is to go early for conversation or later for a looser nightcap feel.

Bar 1661 is the Dublin pick when cocktails are the reason for the night, not a side order before dinner. Go with two to four people, use it as the main drinks stop, cross-shop Piglet Wine Bar only if the group would rather drink wine with food.

Book Atwater Cocktail Club for a polished Montréal cocktail night where the drinks are the point of the evening. Its awards profile makes it a strong date or celebration choice, but it is less useful if the priority is outdoor seating, a full meal, or an easy last-minute walk-in plan.

Silver Lyan is a cocktail-first choice in downtown Washington, D.C. for small groups, dates, low-pressure special occasions. Choose it over a restaurant when drinks are the point; pick Zaytinya, Moon Rabbit, or Café Riggs instead if the night needs a full cuisine-led meal.

Arts Bar is a polished San Marco choice for a composed cocktail stop, especially for dates or small groups after dinner. Its Top 500 Bars Best Bars #204 placement and Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin make it more credible than a generic hotel lounge, but value-seekers and casual groups may prefer a simpler Venice bar.

Reka is the Kuala Lumpur bar to book when you want a drinks-first night with serious regional recognition, not a casual fallback. Its Asia's Best Bars #41 ranking in 2024 and Tatler design and innovation mentions make it stronger for couples or small groups than for happy-hour hunting or large celebrations.

Cosmo Pony works for an easy Central Jakarta evening when convenience matters more than a documented food program. Treat it as a hotel-based drinks stop or flexible late plan, not as a cuisine-led destination. Book if the Grand Hyatt Jakarta location helps the night work; cross-shop food-first venues if menu clarity is the priority.

Jungle Ballroom is a good Singapore shortlist pick for a cocktails-first date around Duxton, especially if dinner is planned separately. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars #207 recognition gives it credibility, but the lack of confirmed price, food, hours, seating details makes it weaker for tightly planned groups or budget-sensitive nights.

Among Surfside options, Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar at The Surf Club is the polished, reservation-sensitive choice for Champagne, hotel-bar atmosphere, small-group occasions. Its bar credentials are serious, including Food & Wine Top 10 US Hotel Bars #1 (2026) and North America's Best Bars #61 (2025), but it makes less sense for casual value-driven dining.

Night Hawk is worth prioritising for cocktail-focused drinkers who want a serious Singapore bar rather than a casual fallback. Its recognition, including World's 50 Best Bars #74 in 2024 and a Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin in 2026, makes it a stronger pick for pairs than for large groups chasing an easy night out.

Cloakroom is a below-grade cocktail bar in downtown Montréal, operating with walk-in ease and late hours that extend to 3 AM on weekends. The drinks are classic-leaning and competently made, the room is dim and intimate, the format favours spontaneity over advance planning. Best for late-night socialising rather than quiet conversation, with semi-private group options available for casual gatherings.

Artifact is a conditional yes for a Central drinks stop, especially if award-list recognition matters more than a published food or wine program. The 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars #211 listing gives it credibility, but wine-focused diners should also compare restaurant-bar options in Hong Kong before making it the anchor of the night.

Book Hacha Agaveria if the night is specifically about tequila, mezcal, agave-led cocktails rather than a broad drinks list. It is a sharper pick for small groups in East London than for mixed-preference parties, with Top 500 Bars Best Bars 2025 recognition adding a useful trust signal.

Book Monkey Mash if you want a cocktail-first Lisbon night with recognized bar credentials and an easy central-area fit. It is better for a social pre- or post-dinner stop than for wine-focused drinking, quiet conversation, or a classic Portuguese bar crawl.

Gold Bar is worth booking when the goal is a polished Tokyo hotel-bar night with credible international recognition, not a low-cost round or casual walk-in stop. Treat it as a plan-ahead choice for dates, client drinks, travelers who want a composed Toranomon base before comparing looser Tokyo alternatives.

Giacosa works for a recognized central Florence drink stop, especially before dinner or between plans. Treat it as a cocktail-led booking rather than a serious bar-food destination, since the strongest verified signal is external bar recognition rather than a named menu or food program.

Aman Bar is worth choosing for a polished Venice date night when a calm hotel-bar setting matters more than bargain aperitivo value. Its Top 500 Bars Best Bars #216 (2025) recognition gives it a credible quality signal, but casual drinkers may be happier at Al Mercà or Bar All'Arco.

Lockdown works for a Central drinks stop when external bar recognition matters more than a published food program or clear price signal. Its Top 500 Bars Best Bars #217 placement in 2025 gives it credibility, while nearby peers such as ThinkWine, Penicillin, The Pontiac help sharpen the decision depending on whether the night is about wine, cocktails, or late-night energy.

Experimental Cocktail Club is a stronger pick for cocktail-focused nights than for dinner, happy hour, or a big group plan. Its Flatiron location is convenient, its bar recognition gives serious drinkers a reason to make the effort, but wine-first guests should compare it with La Compagnie Wine Bar Flatiron before committing.

The Elephant Room is worth planning around if the night is built for two people and cocktails are the point. Its major bar-list recognition makes it a credible Singapore pick, but treat it as a focused date-night stop rather than a food-led dinner replacement or easy group fallback.

Carico is worth shortlisting when you want a credible Milan cocktail bar without turning the night into a booking project. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars ranking gives it a useful quality signal, while the easy booking profile makes it stronger for casual plans than harder-to-secure, concept-heavy alternatives.

Republic is worth targeting for a polished two-person Singapore bar night if awards pedigree matters and the booking can be planned ahead. It suits cocktail-focused dates better than loose group plans; have a backup ready because access is difficult and the draw is the bar experience itself.

Three Sheets is a strong pick for a small, drinks-focused date or celebration in Dalston, especially if the group values cocktail credibility over food, space, or a casual pub feel. Its Top 500 Bars and World's 50 Best Bars recognition makes the booking effort easier to justify, but larger groups should compare more flexible London options.

Stir is the District 1 choice when the night is about serious cocktails and a tighter two-person plan, not a loose group hang. It is better as an early, intentional date-night stop than as a fallback after dinner, especially if you want a bar with regional recognition rather than another hotel lounge.

Schofield's is worth prioritising for a cocktail-led night in Manchester, especially as a date or small-group stop after dinner. Its international bar-ranking recognition makes it a stronger choice for serious drinks than for food-led plans, but demand means it is better planned than left to chance.

The Keefer Bar is worth prioritizing when you want a high-energy Vancouver cocktail night with serious awards behind it. It is better for dates and small groups than for quiet conversation or a food-led evening, it belongs on the shortlist if Chinatown is where the night is centered.

Book Bar High Five if the priority is a serious Ginza cocktail stop with global recognition, not a food-led night or casual group drinks. It works best as a focused pre- or post-dinner plan, with food handled elsewhere and a backup bar kept in mind.

The Curator is the Manila cocktail pick to prioritize when drink quality matters more than skyline views or hotel-lounge comfort. Its awards history gives it a stronger credibility signal than many casual Makati night-out options, but it is better for small, focused drinks plans than terrace-seeking groups.

Rossio Gastrobar works for a Lisbon date night or celebration when setting matters more than bargain pricing. Go for a composed central bar experience; choose A Ginjinha instead if the brief is quick, casual, value-driven.

Rayo is a strong date-night pick in Roma Norte if the plan is a serious cocktail bar rather than a casual walk-in round. The awards profile is the trust signal: World's 50 Best Bars #72, North America's 50 Best Bars #5, Top 500 Bars #229, a 2026 Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin.

Compared with easier Mexico City bar plans, Kaito del Valle is the better choice when awards recognition and a polished cocktail setting matter more than spontaneity. Book it for a date or small celebration; skip it for happy-hour hunting, large groups, or a casual first stop.

Ranked #91 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants (2025) and scoring 91 points on La Liste 2026, The Bombay Canteen is one of Mumbai's most decorated dining destinations; and one of the hardest to book. Chef Hussain Shahzad's regional Indian cooking in a relaxed Kamala Mills setting delivers serious food without the formality. Reserve well in advance; weekday lunch is your best entry point.

Blind Tiger is a good Dubai pick when the plan is drinks-led, polished, anchored around Jumeirah. Treat it as a bar-first booking rather than a dinner solution; couples and small groups are the cleanest fit, especially if conversation and setting matter more than a loud late-night scene.

Manifattura Tabacchi is a smart Florence pick for repeat visitors who want a west-side, contemporary bar night rather than another centro storico classic. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars recognition gives it credibility, but the draw is the setting and change of pace more than a confirmed price or signature-drink hook.

Please Don't Tell (PDT) is worth the effort for cocktail drinkers who care about bar pedigree and want a date-friendly East Village booking. It is a poor fit for loose group plans or anyone needing easy access, flexible timing, or outdoor seating.

Meadowlark is worth planning around if you want a serious Chicago cocktail night in a small-room setting, especially for a date or two-person catch-up. The tradeoff is access: treat it as a hard booking, not a casual backup, choose easier nearby options if group flexibility matters more than bar-list recognition.

Julep is the practical Houston pick when the night needs a drinks-led stop rather than a full restaurant commitment. Go early for easier conversation or use the late Friday and Saturday hours after dinner; choose B&B Butchers and Restaurant or Aiko instead if the priority is a food-first booking.

Book Pacific Cocktail Haven if you want a serious San Francisco cocktail stop with major bar-world recognition and a lively room. It is strongest for small groups, dates that can handle energy, travelers who care about cocktail credentials; it is less useful as a full dinner plan or a low-volume place to talk.

Ranked #77 on the 2026 OAD South America list, Carnaval is a San Isidro cocktail bar led by Aaron Diaz, emphasizing Peruvian botanicals in bright, herbaceous builds. Reservations open four to six weeks out, walk-ins are possible midweek before 9 PM, the format suits special occasions without the booking scramble of Lima's top-tier spirits addresses.

Book Moonlight Experimental Bar for a cocktail-led date or small celebration in Zaragoza's Casco Antiguo. It is a better drinks-first choice than a food-first plan, with enough external recognition to justify making it a planned stop rather than a fallback.

Live Twice is worth booking for a focused cocktail stop in Bukit Pasoh, especially if the goal is a credible Singapore bar without a difficult reservation process. It is not the obvious pick for rooftop views or a large-group plan, but its 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars placement gives it enough signal to justify a return visit.

A strong Osaka pick for a two-person cocktail night when recognition matters: Bar Nayuta has 2025 placements on Top 500 Bars Best Bars and World's 50 Best Asia's Best Bars. It is better for a planned date-night stop than a flexible group plan, especially if the evening calls for a focused bar rather than a hotel lounge or wine-first venue.

Honeycomb Hi-Fi is worth shortlisting for a cocktail-led night in Business Bay, especially if the bar program matters more than a full dinner setup. Its 2025 recognition from Top 500 Bars Best Bars and Tatler gives it more credibility than a standard hotel lounge, but dinner-first groups should compare restaurant-bar options before committing.

A strong choice for a planned New Orleans cocktail night, especially if a themed tiki room fits the occasion. Its 2025 recognition from Top 500 Bars Best Bars and World's 50 Best North America's Best Bars makes it worth targeting, but booking difficulty means it is better for fixed plans than spontaneous late-night drifting.

Firefly is a strong pick when the brief is a polished Bangkok hotel-bar evening rather than a deal-driven drink. Book it for a date, a composed catch-up, or a refined pre- or post-dinner stop; skip it if the group wants casual energy, clear happy-hour value, or an easy last-minute fallback.

Book Mace when the night calls for a serious cocktail bar rather than a casual fallback. Its World's 50 Best Bars and North America's 50 Best Bars recognition make it a strong date-night choice in New York City, but plan early and do not rely on it for dinner, outdoor seating, or a flexible group hang unless those details are confirmed separately.

Ritz Bar works when you want a polished Paris hotel-bar round without a difficult booking process. It is not the budget choice, but the central Rue Cambon setting and easy-access profile make sense for a grown-up drink before or after dinner.

Sago House is worth targeting if the night is built around serious cocktails in Singapore, especially for a date or two-person stop near Duxton Hill. It is not the safer pick for terrace seekers or food-led groups. Awards from World's 50 Best Bars and Asia's Best Bars make the booking worth planning rather than treating as a casual backup.

Service Bar is the Washington, D.C. pick for a serious cocktail round rather than a casual crawl. Recognition from North America's 50 Best Bars 2026, Pinnacle Guide, Tales Spirited Awards, James Beard makes it worth prioritizing for dates or small celebrations, but the booking difficulty means it is not a low-effort fallback.

Widder Bar is worth shortlisting when you want a polished Zürich bar with credible cocktail and wine recognition, not a casual cheap drink. The strongest use case is a date, business-adjacent drink, or post-dinner stop where atmosphere and conversation matter more than value hunting.

Amelia is worth booking when the brief is a polished Downtown Dubai drinks night with a recognised bar and wine program. It is stronger as a cocktail-and-wine choice than as a food-first recommendation, it suits dates or small groups better than quiet catch-ups.

Combat is worth shortlisting for a cocktail-led night in Paris's 19th, especially if you want an easy booking rather than a high-friction destination plan. Its Top 500 Bars Best Bars #252 ranking in 2025 gives it a credible signal, but the smarter move is to use it as a focused drinks stop, not a full-evening substitute for dinner or a wine bar.

Hemingway Bar is a strong Prague pick for a two-person cocktail night when the priority is serious drinks in a central setting. Its Top 500 Bars Best Bars #253 recognition for 2025 gives it more credibility than a casual tourist-bar choice, but groups, wine drinkers, view-seekers may be better served elsewhere.

A strong pick for a cocktail-led Lisbon night, especially if you care more about the drinks program than a casual bar crawl. The 2025 Top 500 Bars recognition gives it a clear reason to choose over looser neighborhood stops, but it works better for dates and small groups than for big, flexible plans.

A polished central Rome hotel bar to book for a celebration drink, client meet-up, or dressed-up group of 4+ when setting matters more than bargain pricing. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars placement gives it a credible signal, but this is not the choice for happy-hour hunting or a loose neighborhood-bar night.

Civil Liberties is worth targeting for a cocktail-first Toronto night, especially if a lively room matters more than a quiet table or a food-led plan. Go earlier for easier conversation, later for the more social version, treat food as something to handle before or after.

Gen Yamamoto is worth targeting for a serious two-person cocktail evening in Tokyo, especially for anniversaries or a return visit that needs focus rather than noise. Booking is hard, so treat it as the anchor of the night. Better for couples than groups, stronger as an occasion bar than a casual fallback.

Gokan is worth prioritizing for a Central cocktail night if award recognition and current Hong Kong bar momentum matter. It is a stronger fit for dates or small groups than for outdoor drinking, access should be treated as difficult enough to justify a backup nearby.

Amaro is a practical Kensington evening pick rather than a daytime destination. Use it for a date, celebration, or post-event meal near Kensington High Street when easy booking and location matter; choose Zaika, Min Jiang, or Afternoon Tea at The Milestone Hotel if the group needs a clearer cuisine or daytime format.

Side Door is a smart Singapore pick for a two-person drinks plan when ease matters more than spectacle. Go for a recognised Neil Road bar with a manageable date-night brief; choose Tippling Club, Cat Bite Club, or Night Hawk instead if you want a more format-led evening.

A Hackney Road bar built for weekend brunch and early-evening drinks rather than full dinners, with a snacking menu, approachable cocktails, walk-in seating. The format works better for casual catch-ups than formal meals, the Saturday–Sunday noon opening makes it a solid option when most neighbourhood spots don't start service until evening.

A strong Ginza pick for a polished, drink-led hotel-bar evening, especially if the group wants a composed room rather than a bartender-counter pilgrimage. Book it for cocktails before or after dinner, not as a food-first night out; compare Star Bar Ginza or Bar High Five if technique and counter interaction matter more.

Book Bar Mood if the goal is a serious Taipei cocktail session with a Taiwan-specific point of view, especially around whisky, oolong, local botanicals. It is strongest for dates or small parties who want guidance from the bar team, less ideal for loose groups treating it as a casual drop-in.

Bar Kaiju is worth targeting if the night is about cocktails and atmosphere, not convenience. Its recent major bar-list recognition makes it a serious Miami pick, but the booking difficulty and second-floor setup make it better for small, planned groups than loose larger gatherings.

Lucy's Flower Shop is worth prioritizing for a serious cocktail date or small celebration in central Stockholm, especially if international bar recognition matters to the decision. It is a weaker fit for loose groups of four or more unless the plan is flexible and there is a backup nearby.

A practical French Quarter pick for an easy Hanoi night, The Hudson Rooms makes sense when location and flexibility matter more than a tightly defined destination format. Choose it for a relaxed Hoàn Kiếm plan; look to Backstage, Hibana by Koki, or Izakaya by Koki if you want a clearer culinary brief before booking.

Hotsy Totsy works as a flexible late-evening stop in Budapest, especially after dinner in District VII. Treat it as a drinks-led add-on rather than a destination meal, since cuisine, pricing, dress-code details are not clearly published.

Nottingham Forest is worth targeting if the night is about cocktails rather than dinner. Its international bar-list recognition gives it real pull in Milan, but the smarter move is to plan food elsewhere and treat this as a focused drinks stop for two, with a backup ready if access proves difficult.

Black Pearl is the Fitzroy pick for a cocktail-led night, not a food-first booking. Its World's 50 Best Bars history and 2025 Top 500 Bars placement make it stronger than a casual late-night fallback, but diners who want serious food should compare Napier Quarter, Bar Olo, or Bar Liberty first.

Offtrack is worth prioritising if the night is about cocktails rather than general nightlife. Its Asia's 50 Best Bars and Top 500 Bars recognition make it a serious Singapore bar choice, especially for couples or small groups who want a focused drinks stop. Larger groups should compare alternatives before committing.

Milky Way Cocktail Bar is a cocktails-first Montréal pick with credible outside recognition from Top 500 Bars Best Bars #271 in 2025. Book it for a date or small drinks plan, not as the anchor for a food-led night. If dinner matters, pair it with a separate restaurant and keep this as the drinks stop.

Sentaku Izakaya works when the brief is a serious bar stop in central Bologna rather than a fully planned dinner. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars placement and 2026 Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin give it stronger credibility than a casual aperitivo pick, but the lack of published price and format detail means wine drinkers or cafe seekers may prefer a clearer peer.

For winter Copenhagen nights when dinner plans need a polished cocktail anchor, Tata Cocktail Bar is a strong yes for couples and small groups. The 2025 Top 500 Bars listing gives it credible bar-world recognition, but treat it as a drinks-first stop rather than a food or bargain-happy-hour play.

The Haflington is a useful late-night Old Quarter option when location and timing matter more than a documented food program. Treat it as a flexible after-dinner stop near Hoàn Kiếm rather than the anchor meal of the evening, especially if price, cuisine, chef details are important to the decision.

AnonymouS Bar is a practical Old Town pick when you want an easy bar booking with recognized credentials: it appears on Top 500 Bars Best Bars #275 for 2025. Choose it for a flexible drinks-led night in Prague, not for a confirmed dinner format or wine-specialist experience.

G.O.D is worth targeting if the night is about Bangkok cocktail credibility and you are comfortable planning around limited public detail. It is a stronger fit for couples or small groups than for large parties, it works better as part of an old-Bangkok or Chinatown-adjacent bar route than as a fully predictable dinner-and-drinks plan.

Bee's Knees is a high-priority Kyoto cocktail stop for two or a flexible small group, especially if international bar recognition matters to the night. For 4+ people, treat it as a targeted drink rather than a whole-evening plan; the late hours help, but the smarter move is to keep backup bars close.

28 HongKong Street is worth booking for a focused two-person cocktail night in Singapore, especially if bar pedigree matters more than skyline views or a full dinner format. It is less suitable for spontaneous groups, bargain-led happy hour plans, or guests who want food to drive the evening.

Bar Goto on Eldridge Street is a Japanese-influenced cocktail bar with three consecutive years of Opinionated About Dining recognition, ranking #305 in North America for 2025. Booking is easy by New York standards, making it a rare case where critical credibility meets genuine accessibility. Book it for an intimate, craft-focused drinks experience in the Lower East Side.

Against French Quarter peers, The Carousel Bar is the pick for a polished hotel-bar stop with strong national recognition and a room that feels specific to New Orleans. Go for drinks and atmosphere, not a dinner-first plan; couples and small groups are a better fit than larger parties.

Nuss Bar is worth shortlisting for a small-group or date-night drink in Bangkok's old-city river corridor. The draw is the Maha Rat location plus credible bar recognition, including Top 500 Bars #281 in 2025 and Tatler 2025 listings for Asia-Pacific and Thailand. Choose it for atmosphere and neighborhood context, not for a loud party plan.

Sober Company is a strong Shanghai pick when the priority is a recognized cocktail bar rather than an easy, casual drink. Book it for a focused date or small-group night in Huangpu; do not rely on it as a dinner substitute, since the confirmed food details are thin.

Green Door is a stronger choice for a date or two-person celebration than for a larger Berlin group night. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars recognition gives it credibility, but groups of four or more should compare it with Stagger Lee, Victoria Bar, or Salut! Classic Bar before making it the evening's main anchor.

Plan Boutiq'bar as a cocktail-first Budapest stop, not a full dinner replacement. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars #284 listing and 2012 World's 50 Best Bars #43 placement make it a credible pick for serious drinks, especially for two people, but groups and view-seekers may be better served elsewhere.

Stay Gold Flamingo is worth targeting for a cocktail-first night in Singapore, especially for dates or small groups that care more about drinks than dinner. Booking friction is the tradeoff, so treat it as a planned stop rather than an easy walk-in option.

Cravan is easiest to justify as an evening stop in Paris's 16th arrondissement, especially for solo visitors, couples, or small groups who care more about timing and location than a fully mapped menu. Skip it for lunch plans, since listed service is evening only, cross-shop Comice if the occasion needs a defined €€€€ Modern Cuisine restaurant.

A strong pick for a polished cocktail stop in central Madrid, especially for a date or small group that wants a calmer hotel-bar setting. The useful signal is its Top 500 Bars Best Bars #287 ranking in 2025; treat it as a drinks plan, not a food-led booking.

Cane & Table is worth choosing for a cocktail-led date or small celebration in New Orleans, especially if you want a French Quarter stop with recognized bar credibility. Its strongest signal is external: Top 500 Bars ranked it #288 in the 2025 Best Bars list. Treat the food as support for the drinks, not the main reason to go.

La Ménagère is worth choosing when the brief is flexible: drinks, atmosphere, an easy central Florence meal in one place. It is less persuasive as a food-first destination than Trattoria Mario, Trattoria Sergio Gozzi, Da Nerbone, Regina Bistecca, or Konnubio, but stronger when the group wants one polished stop that can stretch from dinner into late evening.

A smart choice for a polished hotel-bar night in Singapore, especially for dates or small groups that want conversation over spectacle. The value is in the atmosphere and recognized bar credentials, not in bargain pricing or a food-led format. Cross-shop livelier rooftops or specialist cocktail rooms if views, volume, or experimentation matter more.

MO Bar is the Singapore pick when cocktail credibility matters more than casual value. Its awards record gives first-timers a clear reason to book, especially around Marina Bay, but larger groups and last-minute planners should keep a backup nearby.

Tropic City is worth prioritizing for a lively Bangkok cocktail night, especially if the plan is to keep the evening moving rather than sit through a quiet hotel-bar session. It suits small groups, visiting friends, repeat guests who want energy with serious bar credentials. Choose a more formal peer if conversation, dress expectations, or polished hotel service matter more.

Modernhaus is worth prioritizing for a design-forward cocktail night in Senopati, especially for dates or small groups that want a more intentional room than a casual Jakarta bar crawl. The awards profile is strong, so treat it as a planned booking rather than an easy fallback.