World’s 50 Best Bars 2026: Here are the bars that made it to the list
The 18th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars list was announced in Milan, with Hong Kong's Bar Leone retaining the top spot. The rankings highlight a significant shift toward Asian cocktail culture and local ingredient-focused mixology.
Why it matters
It signals the global rise of Asian hospitality and the decentralization of cocktail innovation away from traditional Western hubs.
At the 18th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, announced in Milan on October 7, Hong Kong’s Bar Leone has retained the world’s best bar title for the second year in a row. The list features bars from 26 cities, with 14 new entries, and highlights Asia’s growing influence on the global cocktail scene.
Bar Leone, Hong Kong | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Asia has a strong showing in this year’s top 50, with bars across Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo bringing distinct regional identities to the list. Rather than simply reproducing Western cocktail traditions, many are drawing on local ingredients, culinary influences and drinking cultures. Greater exchange between bartenders across cities has helped ideas and techniques travel, while allowing individual bar scenes to develop their own character.
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