These are the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2021

The 13th list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony on Tuesday 7th December 2021 in London, UK.

The awards have been a mainstay of the drinks industry since launching in 2009. Bringing together bartending talent from around the globe, it’s one to mark in your calendars.

The World’s 50 Best Bars competition is owned and ran by William Reed Business Media. The group also run The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

50 Best Bars 2021 Ranking

Pictured: The Connaught Team. Source: The World’s Best Bars / William Grant Media

It was a good year for London, taking the first two steps on the podium with The Connaught retaining the title of World’s Best Bar for 2nd year running.

Led by Director of Mixology Agostino Perrone, and assisted ably by Head Mixologist Giorgio Bargiani and Bar Manager Maura Milia, the Connaught Bar remains true to its principles: presenting artful, modern drinks alongside elegant service, in a beautiful setting. The bar was designed by David Collins, in a Cubist-inspired theme.

The bar is well known for its unique Martini  trolley, where bartenders give a personalised drinks experience to guests.

“Connaught Bar, we salute you – to be named The World’s Best Bar for two consecutive years is a feat that previously only two bars have achieved in the awards’ 13-year history.

It’s a testament to Ago Perrone and his team’s continued pursuit of excellence, which is encapsulated in the way they have developed and modernised the Martini cocktail. We also want to send all the venues on the 2021 list of The World’s 50 Best Bars huge congratulations.

It’s been another incredibly tough year for hospitality and the industry’s resilience and togetherness through these challenges is humbling. We hope that the positive stories around the bars’ success in the awards will help to drive vital business in the weeks and months to come.”

– Mark Sansom, Content Editor for The World’s 50 Best Bars

In another win for London, Tayēr + Elementary rose from Number 5 to take 2nd place.

Despite this, London only took three spots on the list, slightly reduced from eight places in 2020. New York saw a similar reduction, with only three positions on the list compared to five last year.

Spain was the big winner for Europe, with four bars on the list, and Barcelona’s Paradiso claiming No.3 position.

Elisa Gregori, Perrier International Business Unit Director, said: “On behalf of Perrier – and as the leading partner of The World’s 50 Best Bars since 2014 – we feel proud of the strong collaboration and solidarity we share with the international bar community.

Similar to last year, we are particularly proud to show our appreciation to all the bars that have made the list during these ongoing hard and uncertain times. Even though the pandemic continues to impact the hospitality industry, in the past months the industry has shown incredible resilience and has learned to adapt to local constraints.

We look forward to overcoming these turbulent times and we will always remain with you to ensure the international bar community will become stronger than ever.”

The Full List

1. Connaught Bar – London, UK

2. Tayēr + Elementary – London, UK

3. Paradiso – Barcelona, Spain

4. The Clumsies – Athens, Greece

5. Florería Atlántico – Buenos Aires, Argentina

6. Licorería Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico

7. Coa – Hong Kong, China

8. El Copitas – St. Petersburg, Russia

9. Jigger & Pony – Singapore, Singapore

10. Katana Kitten – New York, USA

11. Two Schmucks – Barcelona, Spain

12. Hanky Panky – Mexico City, Mexico

13. Insider Bar – Moscow, Russia

14. Baba au Rum – Athens, Greece

15. Manhattan – Singapore, Singapore

16. Atlas – Singapore, Singapore

17. Zuma – Dubai, UAE

18. The SG Club – Tokyo, Japan

19. Drink Kong – Rome, Italy

20. 1930 – Milan, Italy

21. Presidente – Buenos Aires, Argentina

22. Maybe Sammy – Sydney, Australia

23. Cantina OK! – Sydney, Australia

24. Salmon Guru – Madrid, Spain

25. Handshake Speakeasy – Mexico City, Mexico

26. No Sleep Club – Singapore, Singapore

27. Camparino in Galleria – Milan, Italy

28. Café La Trova – Miami, USA

29. Little Red Door – Paris, France

30. Dante – New York, USA

31. Kw?nt – London, UK

32. Bar Benfiddich – Tokyo, Japan

33. Tres Monos – Buenos Aires, Argentina

34. Attaboy – New York, USA

35. Lucy’s Flower Shop – Stockholm, Sweden

36. MO Bar – Singapore, Singapore

37. Sips – Barcelona, Spain

38. Baltra Bar – Mexico City, Mexico

39. Sober Company – Shanghai, China

40. Tjoget – Stockholm, Sweden

41. Epic – Shanghai, China

42. Charles H – Seoul, South Korea

43. Tippling Club – Singapore, Singapore

44. Above Board – Melbourne, Australia

45. Galaxy Bar – Dubai, UAE

46. Re, Sydney – Australia

47. Sidecar – New Delhi, India

48. Union Trading Company – Shanghai, China

49. DarkSide – Hong Kong, China

50. Quinary – Hong Kong, China

Individual Awards:

As well as the ranking of the 50 best bars in the world, a number of additional awards were also distributed at the ceremony.

Roku Industry Icon: Remy Savage

Campari One To Watch: Thunderbolt, Los Angeles

Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu: Lab 22, Cardiff

Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award: Re, Sydney

Disaronno Highest New Entry Award: Hanky Panky, Mexico City (Number 12 on the list)

Nikka Highest Climber Award: Presidente, Buenos Aires (climbed up 29 places to Number 21)

Rémy Martin Legend of the List: Attaboy, New York

London Essence Best New Opening: Insider Bar, Moscow