Bar Leone Retains World's Best Bar Title for 2026

Hong Kong Leads All Cities with 8 Bars, Milan's Moebius Milano Climbs to No. 2

The World's 50 Best Bars 2026 list, organized by The 50 (formerly World’s 50 Best), has been officially unveiled. Hong Kong cocktail bar Bar Leone, which in 2025 became the first Asian bar to claim the global crown, has successfully retained the No. 1 spot, named the World's Best Bar for the second year in a row.

Following closely in second place is Moebius Milano from Milan, Italy, rising 5 spots and winning the Best Bar in Europe award; Alquímico from Cartagena, Colombia rose 8 spots to claim third; Bangkok's Bar Us leaped 11 places to fourth; and Athens' Line climbed 3 spots to take fifth, also earning the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. Additionally, Bar Mauro from Mexico City entered the list for the first time at No. 10 to win the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, while Athens' The Bar in Front of the Bar surged 28 spots to No. 19, winning the Nikka Highest Climber Award.

Individual & Special Awards

In the individual and special awards category, renowned industry figure Shingo Gokan was honored as the Roku Industry Icon. Melbourne's Three Horses took home the Campari One to Watch Award, Barcelona's Paradiso was presented with the Rémy Martin Legend of the List, New York's Schmuck won the Three Cents Best New Opening Award, and Edinburgh's Panda & Sons secured the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. Isa Mejia of Ecuador received The 50 Best Bars Scholarship, while Saikindō was awarded the SevenRooms Best Bar Design Award.

Global Rank Shifts and New Dynamics

Regarding ranking shifts, London's Tayēr + Elementary temporarily closed following a fire in May; despite launching a pop-up space at Cato in Covent Garden, temporary and guest shifts do not meet the criteria, leading to its omission. Overstory in New York dropped off the list following the departure of bar director Harrison Ginsberg in August, while New York's Superbueno fell from No. 12 in 2025 to No. 61. Major drops also included Rome's Drink Kong (No. 92) and Tokyo's The Bellwood (No. 100), both tumbling 52 spots; Stockholm's Röda Huset fell 48 spots after founder Hampus Thunholm relocated to Bangkok; Panda & Sons in Edinburgh slid 38 places, and London's Scarfes Bar dropped 46 places.

This year's list encompasses 27 cities worldwide, with Hong Kong dominating with 8 ranked bars, surpassing New York's 7 and Bangkok's 6. Bar Leone is led by Lorenzo Antinori and has expanded to Shanghai; the bar previously ranked third in Asia's 50 Best Bars this July, behind Guangzhou's Hope & Sesame and Seoul's Zest. Faye Huggett, Community Director for The 50 Best Bars, noted that while becoming the first Asian bar to reach World No. 1 was an extraordinary feat, holding the top title for a second year showcases the authentic power of 'cocktail popolari', with this year's ranking strongly reflecting the remarkable talent and hospitality continually elevating global bar culture.

📅 Publication Date: 2026-10-08

🔗 Source: The Spirits Business