The 50 Best Bars in the World in 2023, According to the ‘50 Best’ List

“Seemingly every ambitious new bar program is bent on charting virgin territory in the realm of more,” Matt Buchanan, a contributing editor to Bon Appétit, wrote in a recent article on the rise of a new maximalist cocktail culture. By amping up all of their drinks, and leaning into theatrical presentation, bars hope it will land them “on both increasingly prestigious ‘best bars’ lists and the kinetic TikTok feeds of fickle, clout-hungry influencers.”

For all its influence, the 50 Best organization has been subject to plenty of critique over the years. Many argue that its scouting process favors regions with well-funded tourism boards and establishments that offer free or discounted food and drink to scouters. Detractors say the list isn’t representative of the geographic and cultural diversity of the restaurant world; indeed, this year’s list, despite its global purview, features not a single bar located in Africa.

And where Michelin inspectors pay for their own meals, 50 Best scouters are subject to no such stipulations. 50 Best has conceded to the possibility of drinks being gifted to voters and maintains no restrictions against the practice. Still, since 2018, the organization has instructed all of its voters to remain anonymous, which does, in theory, help avoid preferential treatment. The voting body is composed of “drinks experts,” according to the 50 Best website, “including bartenders, bar managers, drinks consultants, brand ambassadors, drinks writers, historians, and cocktail aficionados.” These 680 voters “are simply asked to name the seven bars in which they have enjoyed the best experience over the previous 18 months.”

Whether you view it as a bar bible or scan it with a dose of side-eye, the latest 50 Best Bars list is a snapshot of drinking culture at this moment. Below, find the full list.

Disclosure: Jamila Robinson, Bon Appétit’s editor in chief, is the US & Canada East Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Robinson was not involved with this coverage.

1. Sips, Barcelona
2. Double Chicken Please, New York
3. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
4. Paradiso, Barcelona
5. Connaught Bar, London
6. Little Red Door, Paris
7. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
8. Tayēr + Elementary, London
9. Alquímico, Cartagena
10. Himkok, Oslo
11. Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
12. Line, Athens
13. BKK Social Club, Bangkok
14. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
15. Maybe Sammy, Sydney
16. Salmon Guru, Madrid
17. Overstory, New York
18. Zest, Seoul
19. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok
20. Coa, Hong Kong
21. Drink Kong, Rome
22. Hanky Panky, Mexico City
23. Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
24. Café La Trova, Miami
25. Baba au Rum, Athens
26. CoChinChina, Buenos Aires
27. Katana Kitten, New York
28. Satan’s Whiskers, London
29. Wax On, Berlin
30. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
31. Röda Huset, Stockholm
32. Sago House, Singapore
33. Freni e Frizioni, Rome
34. Argo, Hong Kong
35. A Bar With Shapes for a Name, London
36. The SG Club, Tokyo
37. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
38. The Cambridge Public House, Paris
39. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
40. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
41. Scarfes Bar, London
42. 1930, Milan
43. Carnaval, Lima
44. L’Antiquario, Naples
45. Baltra Bar, Mexico City
46. Locale Firenze, Florence
47. The Clumsies, Athens
48. Atlas, Singapore
49. Jewel of the South, New Orleans
50. Galaxy Bar, Dubai