The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 Revealed as Hong Kong’s Bar Leone Retains Top Spot

From Roman-inspired hospitality in Hong Kong to rising cocktail destinations in Latin America, this year’s ranking offers fresh inspiration for your next city escape.

• Bar Leone in Hong Kong is named the world’s best bar for the second consecutive year.
• The 2026 ranking features 50 bars across 26 cities, including 14 new entries.
• Hong Kong, Paris, and New York share the lead for the most venues on the list, with four each.

A memorable bar can become part of how you remember a city: the welcome, the room, the conversation, and a drink that introduces an unfamiliar ingredient or a local tradition. The newly announced The 50 Best Bars 2026 offers travelers a fresh collection of addresses to build an evening around, with Hong Kong’s Bar Leone taking the top spot for the second year running.

Revealed at an awards ceremony in Milan on October 7, the 18th edition of the ranking spans 26 cities and welcomes 14 new entries. Milan’s Moebius Milano takes second place, followed by Alquímico in Cartagena, Bar Us in Bangkok, and Line in Athens.

Beyond the headline winner, the results offer plenty of reasons to explore. Paris moves ahead of London for the number of bars represented, Mexico City claims the highest new entry, and Accra makes its first appearance in the extended ranking.

Bar Leone Brings a Taste of Rome to Hong Kong

In Hong Kong’s Central neighborhood, Bar Leone takes its cues from the everyday sociability of Rome’s Trastevere district. Co-founded by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, the bar centers its approach on Cocktail Popolari, or “cocktails for the people.”

The idea comes through in both the drinks and the setting. Carefully prepared classics and Italian influences shape the menu, while wood finishes, vintage references, and football memorabilia give the room the familiarity of a neighborhood gathering place. Smoked olives and a mortadella sandwich are among its signature snacks.

Since opening in 2023, Bar Leone has risen quickly through the rankings. It debuted at No. 1 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2024, retained that regional position in 2025, and became the first bar in Asia to top the global list that same year. Its 2026 win makes that two consecutive world titles.

Hong Kong has three other venues in this year’s top 50: Argo at No. 25, Montana at No. 36, and Gokan at No. 41. For travelers planning a longer stay, DRIFT’s coverage of Rosewood Hong Kong’s recognition as the world’s best hoteloffers another perspective on the city’s hospitality scene.

Milan Takes Europe’s Top Honor as Paris Gains Ground

The host city had its own reason to celebrate. Moebius Milano, ranked No. 2 globally, was named The Best Bar in Europe, giving cocktail enthusiasts another address to consider when planning a visit to Milan.

Paris, meanwhile, has become Europe’s most represented city on the list. Its four entries are The Cambridge Public House at No. 13, Bar Nouveau at No. 15, newcomer De Vie at No. 23, and Danico at No. 26. That puts the French capital level with Hong Kong and New York worldwide.

London and Athens each have three entries. Connaught Bar leads London at No. 8, joined by Satan’s Whiskers at No. 29 and new entry Waltz at No. 32. In Athens, Line ranks fifth and also receives the Sustainable Bar Award, recognizing its approach to fermentation, circular production, and reducing waste. The Bar in Front of the Bar climbs 28 places to No. 19, while Barro Negro enters at No. 40.

Elsewhere in Europe, Barcelona’s Sips and Paradiso sit side by side at Nos. 16 and 17. Paradiso also receives the Legend of the List Award, adding another chapter to the story of the venue named the world’s best bar in 2022.

Mexico City and Cartagena Lead Their Regions

Mexico City makes a particularly strong showing, with two bars in the top 10. Handshake Speakeasy ranks sixth and earns The Best Bar in North America title, while Bar Mauro arrives at No. 10 to claim the Highest New Entry Award. Tlecān completes the capital’s trio at No. 47.

In Colombia, Cartagena’s Alquímico takes third place globally and is named The Best Bar in South America. It also receives the Art of Hospitality Award. Medellín contributes two more Colombian entries: Mamba Negra at No. 22 and Bar Carmen at No. 39.

Travelers heading elsewhere in South America will find further inspiration in Lima’s Lady Bee, ranked ninth, and Sastrería Martinez at No. 37. São Paulo is represented by newcomer Exímia and Tan Tan, while Buenos Aires places Tres Monos and new entry Victor Audio Bar in the top 50.

New York Welcomes Two New Entries

New York’s four entries include two newcomers. Schmuck debuts at No. 11 and receives the Best New Opening Award, which recognizes the highest-ranked new bar that opened during the voting period. Bar Snack joins the list at No. 49.

They appear alongside Sip & Guzzle at No. 14 and Martiny’s at No. 46. Martiny’s co-founder and beverage director, Takuma Watanabe, was also named this year’s Bartenders’ Bartender.

Bangkok and Seoul Rank Among the Global Leaders

Bangkok’s Bar Us takes fourth place, making it one of the highest-ranked venues in Asia. The Thai capital also welcomes Dry Wave Cocktail Studio to the list at No. 27, alongside BKK Social Club at No. 30.

Seoul’s Zest ranks seventh, while Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame takes No. 12. Singapore and Tokyo each have two entries: Jigger & Pony and Nutmeg & Clove in Singapore, and Bar Benfiddich and Virtù in Tokyo.

More Discoveries Beyond the Top 50

Some of the evening’s notable honors went to venues outside the main ranking. Front/Back in Accra was named The Best Bar in Africa, placing No. 80 on the extended list. It is one of two Accra newcomers in the wider ranking, marking the Ghanaian capital’s first appearance.

Melbourne’s Three Horses, ranked No. 84, received the One to Watch Award. Within the top 50, the city’s Caretaker’s Cottage retained The Best Bar in Australasia title at No. 45, while Dubai’s Mimi Kakushi was named The Best Bar in the Middle East at No. 42.

Design-minded travelers may also want to note Saikindō in Abu Dhabi, winner of the Best Bar Design Award. Located at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, its interpretation of a Japanese listening bar combines a concealed entrance through a fashion atelier with interiors built around sound and storytelling.

How the Ranking Is Decided

The list is voted on by an academy of more than 800 drinks experts across 29 geographic regions, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers, and cocktail specialists. Each voter selects eight bars based on their best experiences during the previous 18 months. Voting is confidential and independently adjudicated by Deloitte.

For travelers, the ranking is a starting point for discovery. Pick the venues that interest you, check their current opening hours and reservation policies, and leave enough time to enjoy the hospitality that helped put them on the list.

The Complete 50 Best Bars 2026 List