The American Bar, at the swanky Savoy, claimed the top spot at The World’s 50 Best Bars awards in London on Thursday night, taking the title from New York’s Dead Rabbit.
Overall there were four spots in the British capital that made the top ten – including Dandelyan and the Connaught Bar, which came in at second and fourth place respectively.
The American Bar, at the swanky Savoy hotel, scored first place at The World’s 50 Best Bars awards in London on Thursday night, taking the title from New York’s Dead Rabbit
A London bar that first opened its doors 128 years ago and went on to create the gin and vermouth-infused Hanky Panky cocktail, has been crowned the best drinking den in the world.
The American Bar, which was serving drinks in the same year the Eiffel Tower was still being completed, is said to be one of the most historically important bars open today.
Libations start at around £18 ($23.54) for a fairly simple concoction.
Overall there were four bars from the British capital in the top ten – including Dandelyan (seen above), which came in at second place
Last year’s winner, Dead Rabbit, dropped to fifth place – a shock to many industry players
INSIDE THE CONNAUGHT BAR
I recently treated my girlfriend to birthday drinks at the Connaught Bar – the world’s 4th best watering hole – and it entirely lived up to the hype.
Ok, it wasn’t cheap, but then, when a bar is this special, it shouldn’t be.
At the time my other half was pregnant so the bar staff rustled up a mocktail for her, while I opted for a glass of champagne – a Jacquesson Cuvee Nr.739. A delightful beverage and served with grace – the waitress even let me check it first before pouring the glass. Always a sign that a bar takes its by-the-glass offerings very seriously.
The orchid placed on the table as we perused the menu was also a nice touch. We’ve vowed to return.
Acting Travel Editor Ted Thornhill
However, if you fancy trying the infamous Hanky Panky creation – invented by the famed female bartender Ada Colema in the 1920s – you must be willing to part with £120 ($157) for the vermouth and gin concoction.
The newly-released top 50 list includes bars from 24 cities in 19 countries including Australia, Singapore, China, Holland, Italy, France and Spain.
While London dominated the top ten, the World’s 50 Best Bars awards showed that U.S. cocktail culture is booming with 13 bars featured, including seven from New York.
Last year’s winner, the sawdust-strewn Dead Rabbit, dropped to fifth place – a shock to many industry players, according to the award organisers.
But on the flip side, the same team responsible for the bar scored the Best New Opening award with their new spot, BlackTail (number 32).
Mixologists at the NoMad Bar in Manhattan celebrated coming in third on the list and being named the best drinking joint in North America
The Black Pearl of Melbourne took home two awards. It was named the Best Bar in Australasia, for a second time, and was also named Legend of the List
The Connaught Bar is famed for its martini trolley. This year the hotel watering hole came in at fourth place at the World’s 50 Best Bars awards
INSIDE THE NOMAD
The NoMad bar at the NoMad Hotel in New York is a sumptuous safe haven. Even on a sunny day you can hide away at this spot, which oozes a kind of old-school Manhattan library vibe. Think dark wood panelling, swathes of olive green leather and flicks of brassy gold.
It’s quiet and discreet and you don’t need to raise your voice to have a proper conversation.
My friend delights in the uber-extensive wine list – with some bottles over $10,000 – while I cradle a perfectly shaken olive vodka martini. By night the NoMad has even more swagger as smart city types clock off and the place fills with a gentle chatter.
The NoMad bar is a go-to when I’m back in New York (the restaurant is also great for brunch) and it’s no surprise it made number three on the world’s best bar list this year.
Travel reporter Sadie Whitelocks
Mixologists at the NoMad Bar in Manhattan also celebrated coming in third on the list and being named the best drinking joint in North America.
Asia saw an additional four bars join the elite list this year to bring the region’s total to 12, more than ever before.
Manhattan (number seven) in Singapore took the title of Best Bar in Asia, while Hong Kong bars maintained their position, with Quinary (number 40) and Lobster Bar (number 49) making the rankings once again.
Indulge Experimental Bistro (number 28) marked Taiwan’s debut in the list and Atlas in Singapore took home the award for the Highest New Entry, diving in at number 15.
Latin America continues to rise as a drinking destination with Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires, taking the award for Highest Climber, rising an incredible 26 spots to number 23.
Meanwhile, Mexico City’s Licorería Limantour, number 14, retained the title of Best Bar in Latin America for the third year in a row.
WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS
1. American Bar, The Savoy Hotel London – Best Bar in Europe and The World
2. Dandelyan, Mondrian, London
3. The NoMad, NoMad Hotel, New York – Best Bar in North America
4. Connaught Bar, The Connaught, London UK
5. The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, New York
6. The Clumsies, Athens
7. Manhattan, Singapore – Best Bar in Asia
8. Attaboy, New York
9. Bar Termini, London
10. Speak Low, Shanghai
11. Little Red Door, Paris
12. Happiness Forgets, London
13. High Five, Tokyo
14. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City – Best Bar in Latin America
15. Atlas, Singapore – Highest New Entry
16. Dante, New York
17. Oriole, London
18. Broken Shaker, Miami
19. Candelaria, Paris
20. Himkok, Oslo
21. The Gibson, London
22. Black Pearl, Melbourne – Best Bar in Australia & Legend of the List
23. Floreria Atlántico, Buenos Aires – Highest Climber
24. Operation Dagger, Singapore
25. 28 HongKong Street, Singapore
26. Trick Dog, San Francisco
27. Sweet Liberty, Miami
28. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
29. Lost & Found, Nicosia
30. Baba Au Rum, Athens
31. Tippling Club, Singapore
32. BlackTail, New York – Best New Opening
33. Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Rome
34. Le Syndicat, Paris
35. Tales & Spirits, Amsterdam
36. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
37. Employees Only, New York
38. Schumann’s, Munich
39. La Factoría, Puerto Rico
40. Quinary, Hong Kong
41. Aviary, Chicago
42. Mace, New York
43. Nightjar, London
44. Linje Tio, Stockholm
45. The Baxter Inn, Sydney
46. ABV, San Francisco
47. Native, Singapore
48. Tommy’s, San Francisco
49. Lobster Bar, Hong Kong
50. Imperial Craft, Tel Aviv
