Caretaker’s Cottage Melbourne ranked in World’s 50 Best Bars 2023

A CBD bar inside a church has been named among the world’s best — a week after a shopping centre bar made the prestigious best bars list.

World's 50 Best Bars has named Melbourne's Caretaker’s Cottage as the 23rd best bar in the world in its annual long-list. Picture: Jason Edwards

A tiny Melbourne bar inside an old Gothic church is one of the world’s best.

Caretaker’s Cottage debuted in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars list overnight, ranking 23rd in the global competition.

It’s a huge leap for the Little Lonsdale Street watering hole, which made its surprise entry into the extended-list at 60 last year.

Caretaker’s Cottage was the only Melbourne bar to make this year’s 50-1 list.

It was also one of two Australian venues to score a mention, with Sydney’s Maybe Sammy appearing at 15.

Run by mates Matthew Sterling, Rob Libecans and Ryan Noreiks, Caretaker’s Cottage shakes up classic and contemporary cocktails, some of which have been inspired by techniques and flavours from world-renowned bars.

Last year Libecans told the Herald Sun he was shocked his 25-seater bar would be on the radar of the judging panel.

“I didn’t think we’d make it, particularly because of Covid and the position Melbourne has been in with the world’s longest lockdowns and being one of the last cities to open up again,” he said.

“International travel hasn’t really been a thing and these lists are dependent on free travel.”

Melbourne Central’s funky food hall bar, Byrdi, re-entered the extended list at 61 last week.

It was the only Melbourne — and Australian — bar to make this year’s extended list.

Luke Whearty

Byrdi isn’t a stranger to the global award’s circuit, debuting at 80 in the 2020 World’s 50 Best Bars list one year after opening.

Run by Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura, the tiny space has built a cult local following for its focus on high-quality cocktails made with seasonal produce.

Autumn’s cocktail list, for example, championed hero ingredients such as Stone and Crow goat’s cheese and Yarra Valley hay.

Don’t worry, it also shakes up the classics, alongside wine, beer and fizzy fermented drinks. The bar also offers a food and drinks pairing and sells its housemade retail products such as vermouth and pre-batch cocktails.