World’s 50 Best Bars 2020: London’s Connaught Bar tops the list, while Singapore’s Atlas and Jigger & Pony make the top 10

atlas bar

Singapore’s Atlas, Jigger & Pony, Manhattan and Native are now among the world’s top 50 bars. Congratulations

Since bar-hopping has been off the menu for most of 2020, it seems more important than ever to pay credit where credit is due and honour the venues that managed to shine even during this tumultuous year. That’s exactly what transpired on 5 November when the World’s 50 Best Bars were announced in London via a virtual awards ceremony.

Britain’s own Connaught Bar was crowned The World’s Best Bar and The Best Bar in Europe after 10 years on the list. The chic ’20s-style joint, which sits within the storied five-star Connaught Hotel, switched spots with last year’s winner, New York’s Dante, which was awarded second place this year and also named The Best Bar in North America. Connaught Bar is known for its signature martinis, which it’s been serving as a takeaway tipple during quarantine, while the century-old Dante is renowned for its Campari-based negroni.

Third place was awarded to The Clumsies in Athens, Greece – famous for its Aegean Negroni infused with native aromatics – while Singapore’s Atlas scored fourth place and was also named The Best Bar in Asia. Rounding out the top five, London newcomer Tayēr + Elementary, which opened in 2019 and established a loyal following for its one-sip martini.

The annual World’s 50 Best Bars list is organised by William Reed Business Media, which also produces The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The awards are voted on by over 540 industry experts from around the world, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists. This year’s list, the 12th edition, features bars from across 23 countries, with 11 new entries.

Europe had the strongest showing. It occupied a total of 21 spots of which London bars accounted for eight. Asia snapped up 15 places, while North and South America chalked up 10 spots. Australia, meanwhile, scored three bars in the top 50 and the Middle East nabbed one. Take a look at the top 20 below; the full list follows.

The world’s top 20 bars of the year

Here’s the full list

1. Connaught Bar, London

2. Dante, New York

3. The Clumsies, Athens

4. Atlas, Singapore

5. Tayer + Elementary, London

6. Kwant, London

7. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires

8. Coa, Hong Kong

9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore

10. The SG Club, Tokyo

11. Maybe Sammy, Sydney

12. Attaboy, New York

13. Nomad Bar, New York

14. Manhattan, Singapore

15. The Old Man, Hong Kong

16. Katana Kitten, New York

17. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City

18. Native, Singapore

19. Paradiso, Barcelona

20. American Bar, London

21. Carnaval, Lima

22. Salmon Guru, Madrid

23. Zuma, Dubai

24. Little Red Door, Paris

25. 1930, Milan

26. Two Schmucks, Barcelona

27. El Copitas, St. Petersburg

28. Cantina OK!, Sydney

29. Lyaness, London

30. Himkok, Oslo

31. Baba Au Rum, Athens

32. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

33. Swift, London

34. Three Sheets, London

35. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok

36. Tjoget, Stockholm

37. Buck and Breck, Berlin

38. Employees Only, New York

39. Bulletin Place, Sydney

40. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo

41. Artesian, London

42. Sober Company, Shanghai

43. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei

44. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur

45. Drink Kong, Rome

46. Room by Le Kief, Taipei

47. Alquimico, Cartagena

48. High Five, Tokyo

49. Charles H., Seoul

50. Presidente, Buenos Aires