The feeling of anticipation is only cut by the beam of the spotlight that is making their way around the room. People are huddles around the edges of the circular space (of course this is where the bands have set up their bars but the effect is still the same).
Sure, there are no disputes – only excitement and the only jousting that’s going on is with bar spoons (and that’s another story).
The cream of the world’s bartending community gathered in London to find out who was the best of them, which bar is the one to watch and who would be this years industry icon.
New York bar Dante was awarded the coveted title of World’s Best Bar, as well as Best Bar in North America.
The Industry Icon award went to Charles Schumann of Schumann’s in Munich, while the Bartender’ Bartender honour went to Monica Berg who is a co-founder of (P)our and just started new bar Tayēr + Elementary in London.
Coming in second place at the World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 is The Connaught in London, also awarded the Best Bar in Europe, and in the third spot, Florería Atlántico from Buenos Aires Argentina, Best Bar in South America.
Australia had only one entry with newcomer Maybe Sammy at number 43. The Sydney bar was also the recipient of the Best Bar in Australasia. Maybe
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 list is compiled by votes from The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy comprised of more than 500 drinks experts who are required to remain anonymous.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019:
- Dante, New York USA – World’s Best Bar and Best Bar in North America
- The Connaught, London UK – Best Bar in Europe
- Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires Argentina – Best Bar in South America
- The Nomad, New York USA
- American Bar at the Savoy, London UK – Legend of the List
- The Clumsies, Athens Greece
- Attaboy, NYC USA
- Atlas, Singapore – Best Bar in Asia
- The Old Man, Hong Kong China
- Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico
- Manhattan, Singapore
- Native, Singapore – Sustainable Bar Award
- Carnaval, Lima Peru – Highest New Entry Award
- Katana Kitten, New York USA – Best New Opening
- Guilhotina, São Paulo Brazil
- Three Sheets, London UK
- Himkok, Oslo Norway
- High Five, Tokyo Japan
- Salmón Gurú, Madrid Spain – Highest Climber
- Paradiso, Barcelona Spain
- Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei Taiwan
- The Dead Rabbit, New York USA
- Coupette, London UK
- The SG Club, Tokyo Japan
- Dr. Stravinsky, Barcelona Spain
- Employees Only, New York USA
- El Copitas, St Petersburg Russia
- Scout, London UK
- Jigger & Pony, Singapore
- Operation Dagger, Singapore
- Baba Au Rhum, Athens, Greece
- La Factoría, Old San Juan Puerto Rico
- Presidente, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Schumann’s, Munich Germany
- Speak Low, Shanghai China
- Little Red Door, Paris France
- Tjoget, Stockholm Sweden
- The Old Man, Singapore
- Lyaness, London UK
- Happiness Forgets, London UK
- Swift, London UK
- Trick Dog, San Francisco USA
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney Australia – Best Bar in Australasia
- 1930, Milan Italy
- Sober Company, Shanghai China
- Electric Bing Sutt, Beirut Lebanon – Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa
- Kwānt, London UK
- Artesian, London UK
- Coa, Hong Kong China
- Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Rome Italy
Legend of the List: American Bar at the Savoy, London UK
Industry Icon Award: Charles Schumann of Schumann’s, Munich Germany
Bartender’s Bartender: Monica Berg
One to Watch Award: Drink Kong, Rome Italy
