Rather fittingly for 2026 The 50 Best Bars which took place in Milan last week, featured bars from 26 countries. Which is not only neat as far as numbers go but also makes us think just how global this whole cocktail malarkey has become.
We remember when the list was dominated by bars from two cities: namely London and New York. These days it’s exciting to see representation from all kinds of venues – from fancy five-star hotels to unapologetic dive bars – from all corners of the globe – we’re talking from Buenos Aires to Bratislava and Sao Paulo to Seoul as well as Tirana, Lima, Guangzhou and Medellin.
So on to the meat and potatoes of this year’s newly branded, The 50…
In total, there were 14 new entries on this year’s list, all of which deserve a huge shout out
Angelia from Madrid at number 50
Bar Snack from New York at no 49
Gokan, Hong Kong at 41
Barro Negro, Athens 40
Bar Carmen, Medellin, no 39
Montana, no 36
Waltz, London 32
Victor Audio Bar, Buenos Aires, no 31
Schmuck, New York, no. 11
Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok, no 27
De Vie, Paris 23
Mamba Negra, Medellin, 22
Eximia, Sao Paulo, no 20
schmuck, New York, 11
Bar Mauro, Mexico City, 10
And just as worthy of a mention are the re-entries:
Martiny’s at no 46
Argo, Hong Kong 25
We also have to highlight this year’s Special awards which went to some of our favourite people in some of our favourite bars. Congratulations to
Shingo Gokan, Roku Industry Icon
Takuma Watanabe, Altos Bartenders’ Bartender
Panda & Sons, EdinburghSiete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu
Alquimico, Cartegna, Michter’s Art of Hospitality
Line, Athens, Ketel One Sustainable Bar
Seven rooms Best Bar Design, Saikindo, Abu Dhabi
Three Horse, Melbourne Campari One to Watch
The 50 Best Bars Scholarship, Isa Mejia
Paradiso, Remy Martin Legend of the list award
For the full list, see thecocktaillovers.com but if you haven’t already heard who made the top 10
the rundown goes as follows:
7. Zest, Seoul
6. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
5. Line, Athens
We caught up with the winners, good friends Lorenzo Antinori and Paola Mariotti from Bar Leone Hong Kong; brothers Ricardo and Eduardo Nava, and their proud mum, of Bar Mauro, winners of the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, and husband and wife team Giacomo Gianotti and wife Margarita Sader, owners of Paradiso, Barcelona, recipients of the Remy Martin Legend of the List award. Which goes to prove: work with people you know, love and trust, and ideally
For more, see The 50 Best Bars 2026
","author_name":"The Cocktail Lovers"}