Above Board bar: Collingwood Smith St cocktail bar makes World’s Top 50 list

It’s up a stairwell and only has room for a handful of guests. But this Collingwood cocktail bar has just been named one of the world’s best.

Above Board owner and chief cocktail maker Hayden Lambert at his Collingwood bar, which has made the World’s Top 50 list. Picture: Supplied.

A minimalist Collingwood cocktail bar with room for only 16 guests has been crowned the best in the state, and one of the best 50 bars in the world.

Above Board, nestled at the top of a stairwell on Smith St near Perry St, ranked 42nd in the UK-based World’s Top 50 Bars list for 2021.

It was the only bar in Victoria, and one of four in Australia to make the list, which was topped by London’s Connaught Bar for the second year in a row.

Owner and chief cocktail maker Hayden Lambert said he was ecstatic for the bar, which opened in 2016, to be recognised after such a tough year with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s really exciting … we’re just happy to be open, plugging away and doing what we do,” Mr Lambert said.

“There’s been a few bars that have stayed open on Smith St which has helped with its growth and what it’s become … and we add to the ecosystem.”

Collingwood bar Above Board has been ranked the 42nd best bar in the world for 2021. Picture: Above Board website.

The bar has 18 cocktails on its list and doesn’t take bookings, with only walk-ups allowed to get one of the few seats inside.

Mr Lambert said he had no plans to expand or change up its offering despite its latest honour.

“What we’ve done is create a unique product that appeals to most people,” he said.

“We’re going to stay true to what we do … we’re a low-key bar, and it’s about people and how people interact, and the relationship between the customers and the bartender,” he said.

Three bars in Sydney — Maybe Sammy (22), Cantina OK (23) and Re (44) — also made the list, with the latter receiving a sustainability award.