Cuisine

The World’s Best Bars: 5 Icons Redefining Global Mixology

Discover five of the world’s best bars—Handshake Speakeasy, Bar Leone, Sips, Tayēr + Elementary, and Jigger & Pony—where mixology meets innovation, artistry, and visionary hospitality.

Por: Angela Leon Cervera
World’s Best Bars
Jigger & Pony, Singapore. PHOTO: @jiggerandponysg

The World’s Best Bars list is more than an annual ranking—it’s a cultural compass that captures the evolution of global hospitality. These bars are not simply watering holes; they are stages where flavor, design, and philosophy perform in unison.

 

From Mexico City to Hong Kong, Barcelona to London, and Singapore, five visionary establishments are rewriting the script of modern mixology. They fuse artistry with science, intimacy with spectacle, and tradition with bold reinvention. Let’s raise a glass to the five icons shaping the future of cocktails.

World’s Best Bars
Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City. Photo: @handshake_bar

Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City

A hidden door opens, and suddenly you are transported to another era. Handshake Speakeasy blends Art Deco glamour with Victorian mystique, offering an immersive escape into cocktail theater. Beyond the velvet darkness lies its secret weapon: a fully operational lab where drinks are perfected over 48 hours using culinary techniques. Signature creations like the Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned or Peanut Butter Jelly prove that science and soul can coexist. With its double-space concept—an intimate lounge upstairs and a bold basement downstairs—Handshake is both sanctuary and laboratory.

World’s Best Bars
Bar Leone, Hong Kong. Photo: @barleonehk

Bar Leone, Hong Kong

Founded by industry star Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone is the definition of “home away from home.” Its concept of cocktail popolari pays homage to neighborhood Italian drinks—simple yet intriguing twists on classics served with heartfelt hospitality. But the cocktails share the spotlight with its legendary mortadella sandwich and smoky olives, dishes celebrated as much as the drinks themselves. The warmth here is real: walking into Bar Leone feels like meeting a new best friend, where every sip and bite builds a sense of belonging.

World’s Best Bars
Sips, Barcelona. Photo: @sips.drinkeryhouse

Sips, Barcelona

Step into Sips and prepare for a sensory adventure. This Barcelona bar fuses the culinary genius of Marc Álvarez (El Bulli alum) with the service artistry of Simone Caporale (formerly of Artesian). The result? A laboratory of wonder where cocktails become immersive sculptures. Think Primordial, served in metallic hands, or Krypta, presented in a custom olfactory chamber. For the boldest experience, Esencia—a “bar within a bar”—offers a tasting-menu sequence of drinks. Here, cocktails are not consumed; they are staged, narrated, and savored as art.

World’s Best Bars
Tayēr + Elementary, London. Photo: @tayer_elementary

Tayēr + Elementary, London

Two bars, one philosophy: innovation with accessibility. At the front, Elementary delivers high-volume classics like the playful One Sip Martini, drawn from taps and perfect for casual sipping. Step into the back, and Tayēr unfolds—a hexagonal bar where menus change daily, guided by seasonality and local ingredients. Founded by Monica Berg and Alex Kratena, this split-concept approach balances experimentation with neighborhood charm. Their impact goes beyond cocktails: with initiatives like P(OUR) and BackOfHouse, they’re redefining hospitality as a field grounded in ethics, sustainability, and community care.

World’s Best Bars
Jigger & Pony, Singapore. PHOTO: @jiggerandponysg

Jigger & Pony, Singapore

A pioneer of Singapore’s cocktail scene, Jigger & Pony has evolved from a street-level bar to a hotel institution without losing its independent soul. Its secret weapon? The menu-zine, a beautifully designed annual publication that turns drink ordering into a narrative experience. Each edition explores themes like “Embrace Change” or “Embrace Yourself,” inviting guests to reflect as they sip. Known for joyous reinventions of timeless classics—especially their iconic Old Fashioned—the bar also extends its influence through bottled PONY cocktails, proving that excellence travels well beyond its walls.

The World’s Best Bars are not defined by their addresses but by their ambition. These five icons illustrate that today’s mixology thrives on narrative, innovation, and purpose. From underground speakeasies to polished hotel lounges, they show that the future of cocktails is holistic: equal parts science, artistry, and human connection. The next time you raise a glass, remember—you’re not just drinking; you’re tasting a philosophy.

FAQ

  • What makes a bar qualify as one of the World’s Best Bars? A rigorous voting system by 650 global experts, ensuring quality, consistency, and innovation.
  • Which bar currently holds the number one spot? Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City ranked first in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024.
  • Do these bars focus only on cocktails? No. Many, like Bar Leone and Jigger & Pony, integrate food, storytelling, and branded experiences.
  • Are reservations necessary at these bars? Yes—especially at destinations like Sips’ Esencia, where seating is extremely limited.
  • How do these bars influence global hospitality? They set new standards by merging science, design, and social purpose, inspiring bartenders worldwide.

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