World's 50 Best Bars 2026 Rankings Announced
Bar Leone in Hong Kong secured the top spot for the second year in a row at the ceremony held in Milan.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Cocktails
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The 2026 edition of The World's 50 Best Bars has been unveiled, with Hong Kong's Bar Leone retaining its No. 1 position. Singapore maintained a presence on the international list with two venues honored for their cocktail programs.
Why it matters
This ranking highlights the evolution of the global hospitality industry by recognizing top-tier mixology talent across diverse markets. The list serves as a benchmark for excellence in cocktail culture, influencing tourism and local bar industry reputations.
Jigger & Pony placed No. 18 and Nutmeg & Clove reached No. 38 among the top 50, while Offtrack secured the No. 89 spot on the expanded list. These rankings were determined by a panel of over 800 industry professionals.
The players
Bar Leone
This Hong Kong cocktail venue has held the top position on the global rankings for two consecutive years.
Jigger & Pony
This Singapore-based bar is a recognized fixture in international mixology circles and achieved a top 20 ranking.
Nutmeg & Clove
This establishment is a prominent Singapore cocktail destination included in the 2026 global top 50 list.
Bar Us
Located in Bangkok, this venue solidified its international reputation by earning a top 10 position on the list.
Zest
Based in Seoul, this bar is recognized for its contribution to modern cocktail culture and achieved a top 10 ranking.
The details
The rankings reflect the collective assessment of an international academy of over 800 beverage professionals who cast eight votes each based on their experiences from the preceding 18 months. Alongside the top 50 honorees, the ceremony in Milan also recognized bars such as Bar Us in Bangkok and Zest in Seoul, which both appeared in the top 10.
Timeline
Bar Leone opened in late 2023.
Four Singapore bars were named in Asia's 50 Best Bars in July 2026.
Offtrack was named No. 89 in the 51-100 list in late September 2026.
The World's 50 Best Bars awards ceremony was held on October 7, 2026.
Culture Shift
These awards reflect a significant shift toward the globalization of cocktail culture, where venues in cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Seoul now define international luxury standards. This evolution marks a departure from traditional Western-centric bar dominance, signaling a more diverse global market.
Travelers and cocktail enthusiasts can use these rankings to prioritize high-end bar visits and plan itineraries around award-winning venues. The recognition often results in increased patron demand, which may lead to longer wait times and the need for advanced reservations at these top-ranked locations.
The takeaway
The sustained success of venues like Bar Leone demonstrates that consistent quality and unique local identity remain the primary drivers of global recognition. Enthusiasts should look for bars that blend regional ingredients with expert techniques, as these are increasingly favored by international experts.
Further reading
For more trends in international mixology, explore the latest updates from our Cocktails section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Straits Times.
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