THIS Is the New Number One Bar in the World

Photo Credit: Bar LeoneThe cocktail world’s most anticipated night unfolded in Hong Kong last evening, as the 17th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, crowned its 2025 winners. More than a ranking, the event has become a unifying moment for the global bar community — a stage where talent, creativity, and innovation are celebrated in equal measure.

And this year, history was written: for the first time ever, the No.1 spot went to an Asian bar. Nestled in Hong Kong’s vibrant Central district, Bar Leone has been named both The World’s Best Bar and The Best Bar in Asia.

Photo Credit: Bar Leone

Bar Leone: From Rome to Hong Kong, With Love

The triumph of Bar Leone is as much a personal victory as it is a regional one. Founded in 2023 by Roman bartender Lorenzo Antinori — whose resume includes stints at London’s American Bar at The Savoy and Dandelyan — the venue embodies a philosophy he calls cocktail popolari, or “cocktails for the people.”

Its ethos is a deliberate pushback against the overcomplication of modern mixology. Here, drinks are simple, approachable, and steeped in Italian tradition. Menus are even shared via Google Docs, complete with recipes, to strip away any sense of exclusivity and remind guests that cocktails should belong to everyone.

The design, meanwhile, is a nostalgia-tinged homage to Rome of the 1980s and ’90s: unpretentious, warm, and deeply rooted in community. In little more than two years, Bar Leone has become a cultural anchor in Hong Kong — debuting at No.1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, climbing to No.2 in last year’s global ranking, and now, taking the crown.

As Antinori himself has said: “Bar Leone is about stripping away pretension and rediscovering hospitality at its purest.” Tonight’s win proves that his back-to-basics vision has struck a global chord.

Europe: London Holds Court, Barcelona Reigns Supreme

Photo Credit: Sips

With 23 entries on the list, Europe once again proves its enduring dominance in the bar world. London, often hailed as Europe’s cocktail capital, secured four places: Tayēr + Elementary (No.5), Connaught Bar (No.6), Satan’s Whiskers (No.21), and Scarfes Bar (No.31). Edinburgh also earned recognition with Panda & Sons at No.34.

Photo Credit: Svanen

But the continent’s leading light is once again Barcelona, whose avant-garde cocktail culture continues to set global benchmarks. Sips ranks at No.3, retaining the title of The Best Bar in Europe for the third year running, while co-founder Simone Caporale received the coveted Roku Industry Icon Award. Paradiso followed closely at No.4, proving that Barcelona remains a juggernaut.

Photo Credit: Danico

Elsewhere in Spain, Madrid’s Salmon Guru secured No.37. Athens confirmed its ascendency with Line at No.8, Baba au Rum (this year’s Rémy Martin Legend of the List) at No.27, and newcomer The Bar in Front of the Bar at No.47.

Photo Credit: Roda Huset

Milan had a standout year: Moebius Milano skyrocketed 31 places to No.7, earning the Nikka Highest Climber Award, while 1930 landed at No.43. Florence’s Locale Firenze reached No.22 and Rome’s Drink Kong returned at No.40.

Photo Credit: Paradiso

Paris, too, had a strong showing: Bar Nouveau rose 22 places to No.17, The Cambridge Public House earned No.20 and the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, and Danico appeared at No.30.

Perhaps most excitingly, Eastern Europe joined the global conversation for the first time: Bratislava’s Mirror Bar entered at No.25, also winning the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, while Tirana’s Nouvelle Vague made its debut at No.28.

Photo Credit: Salmon Guru

Scandinavia also strengthened its profile: Oslo’s Himkok reached No.14, joined by new entry Svanen at No.32, while Stockholm’s Röda Huset secured No.35.

The Americas: New York and Mexico City Lead the Charge

Photo Credit: Handshake Speakeasy

Across the Atlantic, New York City reaffirmed its reputation as North America’s cocktail powerhouse with four entries: Superbueno (No.12), newcomer Sip & Guzzle (No.39, also this year’s Three Cents Best New Opening), Double Chicken Please (No.41), and Overstory (No.46). New Orleans’ Jewel of the South entered at No.44, adding Southern flair.

Photo Credit: Sip and Guzzle

But once again, it’s Mexico City that claimed the ultimate regional title. Handshake Speakeasy landed at No.2, named The Best Bar in North America, sponsored by Amaro Lucano. Other Mexican highlights included Tlecān at No.23 and Bar Mauro, which won the Campari One to Watch Award after ranking No.54 on the extended list.

Photo Credit: CoChinChina

South America, meanwhile, remains as vibrant as ever. Buenos Aires’ Tres Monos claimed the title of The Best Bar in South America, sponsored by Torres Brandy, at No.10, joined by neighbor CoChinChina at No.26. Lima impressed with Lady Bee at No.13 — winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award — and newcomer Sastrería Martinez at No.33. Colombia’s Alquímico reached No.11, and São Paulo’s Tan Tan ranked No.24.

Asia-Pacific: A Defining Year

Photo Credit: Jigger and Pony

Asia’s triumph at the top was mirrored by a strong overall showing. Tokyo placed three bars: Bar Benfiddich (No.18), newcomer The Bellwood (No.48), and Virtù (No.45). Singapore impressed once again, with Jigger & Pony (No.9) and Nutmeg & Clove (No.50). In Bangkok, Bar Us soared 26 places to No.15, while BKK Social Club placed at No.49.

Seoul’s Zest continued its momentum at No.16, while Hope & Sesame became the first-ever Guangzhou bar to make the list, debuting at No.29. Penang’s cult favorite Backdoor Bodega claimed the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award for its indie travel-zine-inspired cocktail guide to the city.

Australasia had reason to celebrate as well: Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (No.19) retained the title of The Best Bar in Australasia, sponsored by Tia Maria. Sydney’s Tigra + Disco Pantera won the Best Bar Design Award, a dazzling dual-level venue combining Barcelona-inspired laneways upstairs with retro New York disco glamour below.

Middle East & Africa: First-Ever Regional Awards

In a groundbreaking expansion, The World’s 50 Best Bars awarded The Best Bar in Africa and The Best Bar in the Middle East for the first time. Nairobi’s Hero Bar took the African crown after ranking at No.69 on the extended list, while Dubai’s Mimi Kakushi landed at No.36 and was named the Middle East’s best.

Special Awards and Icons

This year’s ceremony also shone a spotlight on hospitality icons:

Roku Industry Icon: Simone Caporale, co-founder of Sips, for his transformative impact on global bartending.

Legend of the List: Baba au Rum, Athens, for consistency and influence since the ranking’s inception.

Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award: The Cambridge Public House, Paris, the first independent bar to achieve B Corp certification.

Art of Hospitality Award: Lady Bee, Lima.

Best Cocktail Menu Award: Backdoor Bodega, Penang.

Best Bar Design Award: Tigra + Disco Pantera, Sydney.

A Truly Global Celebration

If one theme emerged from this year’s awards, it was diversity. From the debut of Eastern Europe to the recognition of Africa and the Middle East, and of course, Asia’s first-ever global No.1, the cocktail world has never felt more inclusive, ambitious, or exciting.

THE 50 BEST LIST

1 Bar Leone Hong Kong

2 Handshake Speakeasy Mexico City

3 Sips Barcelona

4 Paradiso Barcelona

5 Tayēr + Elementary London

6 Connaught Bar London

7 Moebius Milano Milan

8 Line Athens

9 Jigger & Pony Singapore

10 Tres Monos Buenos Aires

11 Alqu.mico Cartagena

12 Superbueno New York

13 Lady Bee Lima

14 Himkok Oslo

15 Bar Us Bangkok

16 Zest Seoul

17 Bar Nouveau Paris

18 Bar Benfiddich Tokyo

19 Caretaker’s Cottage Melbourne

20 The Cambridge Public House Paris

21 Satan’s Whiskers London

22 Locale Firenze Florence

23 Tlecān Mexico City

24 Tan Tan S.o Paulo

25 Mirror Bar Bratislava

26 CoChinChina Buenos Aires

27 Baba au Rum Athens

28 Nouvelle Vague Tirana

29 Hope & Sesame Guangzhou

30 Danico Paris

31 Scarfes Bar London

32 Svanen Oslo

33 Sastrer.a Martinez Lima

34 Panda & Sons Edinburgh

35 R.da Huset Stockholm

36 Mimi Kakushi Dubai

37 Salmon Guru Madrid

38 Coa Hong Kong

39 Sip & Guzzle New York

40 Drink Kong Rome

41 Double Chicken Please New York

42 Maybe Sammy Sydney

43 1930 Milan

44 Jewel of the South New Orleans

45 Virt. Tokyo

46 Overstory New York

47 The Bar in Front of the Bar Athens

48 The Bellwood Tokyo

49 BKK Social Club Bangkok

50 Nutmeg & Clove Singapore