“Where should we get a drink?”
If you happen to live in a major city like Paris, New York or London, there’s no shortage of award-winning gin joints, martini haunts and tiki shrines to whet your whistle. But with so many tempting tipples to choose from, how do you know which bars are actually worth raising a glass to?
Enter the annual World’s 50 Best Bars list, essentially the cocktail world’s answer to Michelin stars for restaurants or Michelin Keys for hotels. And while those three cities certainly know a thing or two about mixing a proper martini, none can claim the No. 1 spot in 2026.
That honor belongs to a neighborhood watering hole in Asia, where Italian-inspired cocktails, nostalgic décor and a decidedly unfussy approach to drinking have earned it the industry’s highest distinction.
The annual ranking was unveiled on October 7 during a ceremony in Milan, Italy, celebrating standout establishments across 26 cities.
And the winner? Bar Leone in Hong Kong, which has now been named the world’s best bar for the second consecutive year.
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What Makes Bar Leone the World’s Best Bar?
Located in Hong Kong’s Central neighborhood, Bar Leone isn’t your typical ultra-exclusive cocktail lounge.
Co-founded by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori in 2023, the bar takes its inspiration from the traditional neighborhood hangouts of Rome’s Trastevere district.
Its philosophy, Cocktail Popolari, translates to “cocktails for the people,” favoring expertly executed classics and welcoming hospitality over elaborate presentations and trendy techniques.
Inside, wood finishes, vintage Italian décor and football memorabilia give the space a lived-in feel that’s more neighborhood favorite than flashy destination bar.
The drinks lean heavily into Italian influences, while the food menu features crowd-pleasers like smoked olives and mortadella sandwiches.
Bar Leone in Hong Kong has now been named the world’s best bar for the second consecutive year.Bar Leone’s rise has been nothing short of impressive. After opening in 2023, it debuted at No. 1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024, placed second globally that year and became the first bar in Asia to earn the world’s No. 1 title in 2025.
Now, it’s done it again.
“To be the first ever No.1 from Asia was already an outstanding achievement,” said Faye Huggett, Director of Community for The 50 Best Bars, adding that retaining the title for a second consecutive year demonstrates the impact of the bar’s approachable cocktail philosophy.
View this post on InstagramWhat Are the Top 10 Bars in the World for 2026?
If you’re planning your next vacation around an exceptional cocktail, these are the 10 highest-ranked bars on the newly released list:
Bar Leone — Hong Kong Moebius Milano — Milan, Italy Alquímico — Cartagena, Colombia Bar Us — Bangkok, Thailand Line — Athens, Greece Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico Zest — Seoul, South Korea Connaught Bar — London, England Lady Bee — Lima, Peru Bar Mauro — Mexico City, MexicoMilan’s Moebius Milano also earned the title of Best Bar in Europe, while Cartagena’s Alquímico took home Best Bar in South America.
World's 50 Best Bars
Which U.S. Bars Made the List?
American cocktail lovers have something to celebrate, too.
New York City tied with Hong Kong and Paris for the most bars on this year’s list, with four establishments each.
Leading the American contingent is Schmuck, which debuted at No. 11 and also received the Best New Opening Award.
Three other New York establishments earned spots: Sip & Guzzle at No. 14, Martiny’s at No. 46 and newcomer Bar Snack at No. 49.
Meanwhile, Paris surpassed London to become Europe’s most represented city, with four bars making the cut, including The Cambridge Public House at No. 13 and Bar Nouveau at No. 15.
Other notable winners included Barcelona’s Paradiso, which received the Legend of the List Award, and Mexico City’s Bar Mauro, which earned the Highest New Entry Award after debuting at an impressive No. 10.
For travelers who love discovering a great cocktail bar as much as a great hotel or restaurant, the new ranking offers plenty of inspiration.
And if Hong Kong wasn’t already on your travel bucket list, Bar Leone just gave you another reason to go.
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