Every year, over 500 cocktail experts come together to rank and rate bars from across the world (in 25 cities this year) for World’s 50 Best Bars so this year was no different either. The very cream of the crop in the top 5 feature heavyweights from London and New York as per usual and they do not disappoint.
5. The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, New York
Of course an Irish pub-themed bar had to make the cut for top 5, no one does it better after all. The ambience has a laidback pub feel that lets you unwind while sipping on some amazing, highly intricate cocktails as well as a spate of Irish whiskeys. A cocktail that comes highly recommended is the Cheshire Cat – a mix of tequila, blanc vermouth, rhum agricole and assorted fruits. A great mix of the traditional and the new-age.
Where: 30 Water St, New York.
4. Connaught Bar, London
Manned by the world renowned bartender Agostino Perrone, the Connaught Bar is most well-known for its classic Bloody Mary, bespoke martinis on a trolley and of course the grand ambience. Their new cocktails shouldn’t be skipped either, especially Tip of The Iceberg which has banana-infused gin, coconut water, lemon liqueur and actual tiny icebergs!
Where: Carlos Place, Mayfair, London.
3. The NoMad, New York
There’s literally no downside to visiting The NoMad. The design of the entire bar is stunning and spacious, the food is created by award-winning chefs and the drinks, well the drinks are the real winners. They have large format cocktails like the Sherry Cobbler or Zombies. For a place that seems so posh, it sure has an element of fun going for it.
Where: NoMad Hotel, 10 West 28th Street, New York City.
2. Dandelyan, London
If it’s second in a list of the world’s best bars, it’s got to be something right? Well, Dandelyan sure is. The bar strikes the perfect balance between creating benchmarks and innovation in the cocktail industry as well as keeping with old-school five-star ways of treating their patrons. Their foray into their Modern Botany which entails infusing florals and roots into their cocktails, has definitely earned them this position. Try their Flower of Five, a scintillating drink that brings flavours of passionfruit, pink grapefruit vodka leather, lemon and gin liqueur together perfectly.
Where: Mondrian London, 20 Upper Ground, London.
1. American Bar, London
The winner is The Savoy’s American Bar that has housed bartending greats such as Ada Coleman (of The Hanky Panky fame) and Harry Craddock who created the Savoy Cocktail Cookbook which is now a staple in bartenders’ homes. But despite serving out the best of the classics, the bar seems to outdo itself when it comes to new experiments as well. Their theme for this year is Coast to Coast that does an exploration of the UK through drinks, on of which is the Scotch-based cocktail Arthur’s Seat that’s good enough for a king! If you happen to be in London, you better not come back without a drink here.
Where: The Savoy Hotel, 100 Strand, London.
