The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 features venues from 29 cities globally, with Hong Kong’s Bar Leone named The World’s Best Bar 2025 and The Best Bar in Asia 2025, sponsored by Perrier. The achievement marks the first time a bar in Asia has taken the No. 1 position.

Nestled in Hong Kong’s vibrant Central district, Bar Leone is the brainchild of renowned bartender Lorenzo Antinori, whose storied resume encompasses some of Europe and Asia’s most beloved hotel bars, including London’s American Bar at The Savoy and Dandelyan (now defunct). Built on the philosophy of ‘cocktail popolari’ – or ‘cocktails for the people’ – Bar Leone pays tribute to the neighbourhood bars of Rome, where locals gather for coffee, aperitivi and casual conversation. The interior is a love letter to the city in the 1980s and ’90s and is designed to be approachable, unpretentious and deeply rooted in Italian culture and hospitality.

A Roman by birth, Antinori’s goal was to strip away the complexity of modern mixology and return to simple, high-quality drinks, served with warmth and precision. As such, the cocktail menu comes in the form of a rotating Google Docs file, updated monthly and including the full recipe and method to ensure each drink is fully accessible to everyone. Bar Leone opened in June 2023 and quickly rose to fame, making its debut on the world stage the following year at No. 1 on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and No. 2 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, both unrivalled feats. Earlier this year, it was once again named The Best Bar in Asia at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025.

“It is such a delight to unveil Bar Leone as The World’s Best Bar 2025. Not only is this remarkable achievement the first time a bar from Asia has claimed the top spot, but it is a dazzling testament to the commitment of Lorenzo and the entire Bar Leone team to redefining hospitality excellence,” said Emma Sleight, head of content for The World’s 50 Best Bars. “We are deeply honoured to spotlight the extraordinary diversity of the global bar landscape in 2025, and we raise a glass to every bar that has earned its place in this year’s list. With more cocktail capitals represented than ever before, this ranking continues to serve as a vibrant compass for curious drinkers and passionate explorers alike – igniting wanderlust and raising the bar for cocktail culture across the globe.”

London leads in Europe again, but Eastern cities shine through for the first time

Of the 23 bars in Europe, London continued its reign as the region’s cocktail capital with four bars: Tayēr + Elementary at No. 5, Connaught Bar at No. 6, Satan’s Whiskers at No. 21 and Scarfes Bar at No. 31. They were joined by Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons at No. 34.

The title of The Best Bar in Europe, sponsored by Monkey Shoulder, was retained for the third time by Barcelona’s Sips at No. 3 and co-founder Simone Caporale was awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award. Paradiso in Barcelona was No. 4 with Madrid’s Salmon Guru at No. 37. Athens continues its ascendancy, with Line at No. 8 alongside Baba au Rum, this year’s Rémy Martin Legend of the List, at No. 27, and new entry The Bar in Front of the Bar at No. 47.

Milan’s Moebius Milano was the winner of the Nikka Highest Climber Award, having risen an impressive 31 places to No. 7. It was joined by 1930 in Milan at No. 43, with Florence’s Locale Firenze at No. 22 and Rome’s Drink Kong at No. 40. Paris is represented by Bar Nouveau, rising 22 places to No. 17, The Cambridge Public House (No. 20) and Danico (No. 30).

For the first time, bars from Eastern Europe ranked in the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, with new entries Mirror Bar in Bratislava at No. 25 and Nouvelle Vague in Tirana at No. 28. In Scandinavia, Oslo’s Himkok (No. 14) was joined by another new entry, Svanen at No. 32, with Röda Huset in Stockholm at No. 35.

New York continued to lead in the Americas, but Mexico City retained The Best Bar in North America

New York City reaffirmed its status as North America’s cocktail powerhouse, with four bars making this year’s list: Superbueno (rising 15 places to No. 12), joined by newcomer Sip & Guzzle (No. 39), named this year’s Three Cents Best New Opening, alongside Double Chicken Please (No. 41) and Overstory (No. 46). In New Orleans, Jewel of the South is No. 44.

In Mexico City, The Best Bar in North America, sponsored by Amaro Lucano, was Handshake Speakeasy at No. 2, with Tlecān, a new entry in 2024, at No. 23. Bar Mauro, which placed at No. 54 on the extended list of bars ranked 51-100, is the recipient of the Campari One To Watch Award.

The Best Bar in South America, sponsored by Torres Brandy, was once again Buenos Aires’ Tres Monos at No. 10, with neighbour CoChinChina at No. 26. Lima’s Lady Bee was No. 13 and the recipient of this year’s Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, alongside new entry Sastrería Martinez at No. 33. Alquímico in Cartagena was No. 11 while São Paulo’s Tan Tan was No. 24.

Hong Kong takes the top spot, and Guangzhou joins the list

With three bars on the list, Tokyo shone in Asia with stalwart Bar Benfiddich (No. 18) joined by Virtù at No. 45 and new entry The Bellwood at No. 48. Host city Hong Kong can celebrate two entries, including Bar Leone at No. 1, The Best Bar in Asia and, a first for the continent, The World’s Best Bar, alongside Coa at No. 38.

Singapore’s Jigger & Pony was No. 9, with creative director and partner Uno Jang the recipient of this year’s Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, while Nutmeg & Clove was No. 50. In Bangkok, Bar Us rose a remarkable 26 places to No. 15 and BKK Social Club is No. 49. Seoul’s Zest was No. 16 with new entry Hope & Sesame the first bar from Guangzhou to feature at No. 29. The winner of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award was Penang’s Backdoor Bodega.

The Best Bar in Africa and The Best Bar in the Middle East named for the first time; Australian venue wins the Best Bar Design Award

Mimi Kakushi in Dubai (No. 36) was named The Best Bar in the Middle East, sponsored by Les Vergers Boiron, while Nairobi’s Hero Bar was crowned The Best Bar in Africa, sponsored by Langjiu, after ranking at No. 69 in the extended list. This is the first time either accolade has been awarded as part of The World’s 50 Best Bars, having previously been presented as The Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa.

At No. 19, Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage retained its title as The Best Bar in Australasia, sponsored by Tia Maria, at No. 19, with Sydney’s Maybe Sammy at No. 42. The Best Bar Design Award was bestowed upon Sydney’s Tigra + Disco Pantera.

Special awards

The ceremony began with a celebration of Bar Mauro in Mexico City as this year’s recipient of the Campari One To Watch Award, which reached No. 54 on the extended list of bars ranked 51-100. The award recognizes a bar that the 50 Best team perceives as having strong potential to join the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars in the future.

This year’s winner of the Best Bar Design Award was Tigra + Disco Pantera in Sydney. Two distinct, yet complementary spaces created by Scottish brothers Gordon and Ross Purnell, Tigra embraces the vibrant laneway cultures of Barcelona and Tokyo, influenced by Joan Miró’s playful modernism, while Disco Pantera channels the retro glamour of 1970s New York, featuring vintage lighting, reclaimed materials and standout elements like a hand-sculpted teak bar front. Together, they offer a vibrant, dual-level experience that reflects a commitment to creative reuse, cultural homage and experiential design, offering guests a multi-sensory journey through art, cocktails and atmosphere. Judged by an esteemed panel of hospitality design experts, bars from anywhere in the world were invited to submit their venues for consideration.

Backdoor Bodega in Penang was awarded the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award for The Backdoor Bodega Guide to Penang. Styled like an indie travel zine, each drink is presented as a narrative entry that spotlights the stories, flavours and landmarks that define their island home, blending personal anecdotes with cultural heritage. The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award is open to any bar in the world and is judged by the 29 Academy Chairs.

Simone Caporale was been named Roku Industry Icon. Caporale, renowned for his groundbreaking work at Artesian at The Langham – named The World’s Best Bar four years in a row – is an award-winning bartender and entrepreneur based in Barcelona. Known for his distinctive style, meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to hospitality, he co-founded Sips, also crowned The World’s Best Bar in 2023, and co-owns Boadas, Barcelona’s oldest cocktail bar. In 2025, he launched Montana in Hong Kong with Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone, blending the legacy of the Club de los Cantineros with the vibrant spirit of Miami’s golden era. His other ventures include co-founding the P(OUR) Symposium, creating the Muyu liqueur range with Alex Kratena and Monica Berg, and serving as Global Brand Ambassador for Amaro Santoni.

Joining the list for the first time at No. 25, Bratislava’s Mirror Bar was awarded the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award. A sleek cocktail lounge blending nature-inspired design with elegant vintage touches, Mirror Bar serves inventive cocktails that blend world class mixology with visual storytelling.

Sip & Guzzle in New York was named Three Cents Best New Opening as the bar that enters the list in the highest position of any that have opened during the voting period, joining the list at No. 39. A bi-level cocktail bar in New York’s Greenwich Village, co-founded by Shingo Gokan and Steve Schneider, Sip & Guzzle blends Japanese elegance with New York energy. Upstairs at Guzzle, guests enjoy lively, crushable cocktails in a saloon-style setting, while downstairs at Sip, the mood shifts to a refined Tokyo-inspired speakeasy serving intricate drinks like the Whisky Nigiri.

Milan’s Moebius Milano won the Nikka Highest Climber Award, rising 31 places to No. 7. Moebius Milano is a dynamic gastronomic and cultural venue in the heart of Milan, combining a Tapa Bistrot, a fine dining experimental restaurant and a cocktail bar within a renovated textile warehouse. The concept blends culinary innovation, live music and design, offering an immersive experience that reflects the venue’s philosophy of continuous transformation.

The honour of the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award was bestowed upon Baba au Rum, an award given to a bar that has performed most consistently in the list since its inception. Founded by Thanos Prunarus in 2009, Baba au Rum is a visionary cocktail bar known for its deep appreciation of rum and its role in shaping Greece’s modern bar scene.

The Cambridge Public House in Paris won the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, based on adjudication by the Sustainable Restaurant Association. The first independent bar to achieve B Corp certification, co-founders Hugo Gallou and Hyacinthe Lescoët have driven lasting change beyond sustainable mixology through a series of creative initiatives, including adopting six United Nations goals to support global communities through The Cambridge Community Plan and the launch of Shaken Leaf, a platform empowering bartenders worldwide to adopt sustainable practices.

Other special award winners include Uno Jang, winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, and Lady Bee, Lima, named the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.