The Connaught Bar (2), the Artesian (3), Milk & Honey (5), the American Bar (6) and 69 Colebrooke Row (7) were among the top runners in the poll, conducted by World’s 50 Best editor Lucy Britner and US drinks writer Camper English.
“This year, voters have walked through phone booths and wardrobes, rung bells on unmarked doors and called to book appointments in order to file their nominations for the World’s 50 Best Bars,” said Britner.
“The list seems to pay homage to the speakeasy- style bar, which goes hand-in-hand with knowing how to create the classics, unearth old recipes and recreate forgotten ingredients.
Diversity and expertise
“At the same time, voters are romanced by exquisitely decorated hotel bars that serve beautifully prepared drinks, made by immaculately turned-out bartenders. The wealth of diversity and expertise in the bar scene makes this one of the most exciting lists to date.”
Britner and English canvassed around 100 bar professionals including the Playboy Club’s Salvatore Calabrese, King Cocktail Dale DeGroff, Esquire US’s David Wondrich and diamond ice-carver Hidetsugu Ueno.
These votes were coupled with global votes from 100 bars polled or featured in the 2010 list. Votes were received from every continent and bars in 16 countries made the top 50. PDT bar in New York was named as the number one.
London speakeasy Milk & Honey, owned by Match Bar Group founder Jonathan Downey, was placed fifth in this year’s list, having taken top spot for the previous two years.
The UK bars in the top 50 list:
- 2 - Connaught Bar, London
- 3 - Artesian, London
- 5 - Milk & Honey, London
- 6 - American Bar at the Savoy, London
- 7 - 69 Colebrooke Row, London
- 17 - Merchant Hotel, Belfast
- 18 - Nightjar, London
- 27 - Callooh Callay, London
- 36 - LAB, London
- 39 - Worship St Whistling Shop, London
- 42 - Quo Vadis, London
- 43 - Lounge Bohemia, London
- 47 - Rules, London