Cantina OK! and Above Board make World’s 50 Best Bars extended list

Two Aussie bars - one in Sydney and the other in Melbourne - have plenty to brag about after making the cut on a famous list.

A tiny mezcal bar and an intimate drinking den in two rival Aussie cities have made the cut in the prestigious World’s Best Bars list.

Cantina OK! in Sydney and Above Board in Melbourne have done Australia proud after the World’s 50 Best Bars announced the extended 51-100 list, revealing the two bars came 96th and 100th, respectively.

“Congratulations to the incredible Cantina OK! team for all of your hard work,” the Sydney bar located on Council Place in the CBD said in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

“Thank you everyone who’s visited us on Council Place and who make this such a special place. And a shoutout to our Melbourne mates @aboveboardbarmelb who also made the longlist.”

Cantina OK! in Sydney secured 96th spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars extended list.

And Above Board in Melbourne just made the cut in spot 100.

Cantina OK! opened back in 2019 and questions were asked on how something that small was going to survive? Where the Espresso Martinis were at and who would want all that mezcal?

Well, it appears bar owners, Alex Dowd and Jeremy Blackmore, were onto something pretty awesome, because the tiny venue has not only survived, but thrived.

It made the World’s Best list back in 2022 at number 42 and made its comeback this year with customers stoked for its triumphant return.

“No surprises at all,” one person commented on the bar’s Instagram post.

“Finally,” said another, while others bombarded them with messages of congratulations.

Meanwhile, the intimate yet popular Above Board bar also made its return after featuring on the list at number 44 in 2021.

The award-winning cocktail bar has only 16 seats, so it’s very intimate.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday the team said they are “elated” with securing 100th spot on this year’s list.

The tiny mezcal bar is located on Council Place in Sydney’s CBD. Picture: Instagram/Cantina OK!

“We are elated and proud to once again make it onto the World’s Best Bars list. Thanks to @50bestbars,” they wrote.

“We are so grateful for our amazing team and all our customers who make Above Board so special. Our little bar in the heart of Collingwood has surpassed all expectations, and we couldn’t be happier with what it has achieved over the last 8 years. It really is a gem, and we love it.”

The extended list.

They also gave a shoutout to their mates over at Cantina OK! in Sydney for their achievement. The two bars have previously collaborated over cocktails.

“Massive congrats team!! Amazing achievement️. Much love from all of us at AB,” they wrote.

Above Board, located in Collingwood, is super intimate with 16 seats. It also came second in the Best Bars Victoria list in 2023. Picture: Instagram/Aboveboardbarmelb

Meanwhile, the Melbourne venue’s customers couldn’t be happier to see the bar “squeezed” it way back onto the list.

“Squeezed back in there babyyyyy,” one person wrote.

“Should be way higher! Love you guys!” wrote another, while a third added: “Yesssss!!! Omg so well deserved and then some!!!”

The extended 51-100 list includes bars from 35 cities across the world, with 12 new entries including the first ever entry for Sri Lanka, with Hiriketiya’s Smoke & Bitters at No.86.

“This extended ranking gives us another incredible opportunity to celebrate the relentless dedication and unparalleled hospitality of the world’s best bars on an even greater scale and to welcome bars from even more destinations to the ranking,” Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, said.

“Today, we honour the bars that have worked tirelessly to demonstrate what it takes to be one of the best in the world. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to each of the exceptional teams whose bars have earned a place on this esteemed list.”

Meanwhile, the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, sponsored by Perrier, will be revealed at a live awards ceremony in Madrid on October 22, 2024.

The countdown of the list will also be broadcast live to a global audience who are not able to attend in person from 8.25pm local time.