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- Bar Leone – Hong Kong: where Rome meets Bridges Street
- Handshake speakeasy – Mexico City: quiet confidence, perfect balance
- Sips – Barcelona: drinks as experiences, not just recipes
- Paradiso – Barcelona: fun, fire, and a fridge door
- Tayēr + Elementary: London: two worlds, one vision
- A global cheers moment
Summary:
- Asia celebrates its first-ever No. 1 bar.
- Latin America and Europe stay strong on the global stage.
- Each venue blends craftsmanship with genuine personality.
- 800 experts voted to shape this year’s list.
- These bars are destinations in themselves.
Every year, the bar world gathers to celebrate the art of a perfectly mixed drink, not just the liquid in the glass but the entire experience. In 2025, the spotlight moved to Hong Kong, where the industry’s finest met for the World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony. It was a fitting host city: electric, global, and quietly confident about its own thriving cocktail scene.
Among hundreds of contenders, five names rose above the rest. They share no single formula, only a devotion to detail and a knack for making guests feel special. Whether it’s an Italian soul in Asia, a Mexican speakeasy, or a Barcelona bar that feels like a gallery, these places remind us why going out for a drink still feels a little magical.
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Bar Leone – Hong Kong: where Rome meets Bridges Street
Bar Leone in Hong Kong takes the crown this year as the first Asian venue to reach No. 1. Created by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, it channels the charm of a Roman neighborhood bar. Vintage posters, soft lighting and friendly service turn every visit into a small escape from the city.
The drinks are familiar yet distinctive. Try the Olive Oil Sour, the Filthy Martini, or Il Carpaccio, inspired by the Caprese salad with tomato, basil and lemon. Even the snacks feel sincere, with mortadella focaccia and smoked olives perfectly paired with the cocktails.
Why it works: Bar Leone succeeds because it feels crafted but effortless, a place you linger in without realizing how much time has passed.
Handshake speakeasy – Mexico City: quiet confidence, perfect balance
Hidden behind an unmarked door in Mexico City, Handshake Speakeasy (No. 2) embraces understatement. Inside, low lights and calm precision set the mood. Every cocktail is designed with care, balancing flavor, texture and temperature with mathematical exactness.
Nothing feels forced or theatrical, just confident. The experience is all about intention and rhythm.
Why it stands out: Handshake proves that subtlety can be powerful, and that hospitality doesn’t need to shout to be memorable.
Sips – Barcelona: drinks as experiences, not just recipes
At Sips, ranked No. 3, even the glassware tells a story. Led by Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez, this Barcelona favorite turns cocktail-making into a sensory journey. The atmosphere feels artistic but relaxed, a perfect balance between creativity and comfort.
Highlights include “Primordial”, served in a sculpted hand, and multi-stage tasting experiences that let guests explore every nuance.
Why it matters: Sips reminds travelers that innovation and simplicity can coexist beautifully.
Paradiso – Barcelona: fun, fire, and a fridge door
Still in Barcelona, Paradiso (No. 4) hides behind a deli fridge door, yet it’s anything but secret once you step inside. The space glows with amber light and playful energy. Cocktails come alive with smoke, color and edible artistry, each one a small show.
What makes it memorable is the joy it delivers. There’s no intimidation here, only the pleasure of surprise and connection.
Why it works: Paradiso proves that creativity can be joyful, and excellence doesn’t have to feel serious.
Tayēr + Elementary: London: two worlds, one vision
In London, Tayēr + Elementary (No. 5) continues to redefine what a modern bar can be. The space has two souls: Elementary, a walk-in front bar where you can grab a spritz and chat, and Tayēr, a quiet lab in the back where new recipes are born.
Signature drinks like the One Sip Martini show the team’s philosophy — precision, balance and a deep respect for craft. There’s nothing excessive, only mastery.
Why it stands out: Tayēr + Elementary captures the heart of London’s bar culture, curious, refined and endlessly inventive.
Quick look: the top 5 bars of 2025
| Rank | Bar | City | Defining Trait |
| 1 | Bar Leone | Hong Kong | Italian soul with Asian warmth |
| 2 | Handshake Speakeasy | Mexico City | Subtle perfection |
| 3 | Sips | Barcelona | Artistic, human, refined |
| 4 | Paradiso | Barcelona | Joyful creativity |
| 5 | Tayēr + Elementary | London | Precision and heart |
A global cheers moment
This year’s list shows one thing clearly: great bars can thrive anywhere.
Asia takes the lead for the first time, Latin America continues its rise, and Europe proves it still has plenty to say. What unites them isn’t geography but authenticity, hospitality and craft.
These bars don’t just pour drinks; they build connections. And that’s what makes them worth crossing oceans for.
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The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 isn’t just a ranking, it’s a snapshot of human creativity and care. From Hong Kong to Mexico City, from Barcelona to London, these five venues show that the art of mixology is also the art of making people feel welcome.Whether you’re a traveler chasing the next great cocktail or simply someone who loves the ritual of sharing a drink, these places remind us of something timeless: the best experiences are the ones that make you feel alive.
Sources
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 – Official List, theworlds50best.com
VinePair – The 2025 Winners of the World’s 50 Best Bars, vinepair.com
Haute Living – World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, hauteliving.com
