Two Aussie bars make World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2023
It’s not surprising why this Aussie bar made it on the World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2023 – and it’s not the only one to represent the country.
Barcelona in Spain is home to the world’s best bar after it took out the coveted award for 2023 – but two Aussie bars also made the cut.
It’s the second year in a row Sips, a popular cocktail bar in Barcelona, known for its pastel pink and green decor, has won the World’s Best Bar 2023 title – and given it opened in 2021, it’s a huge feat.
“As the brainchild of cocktail-world icons Marc Álvarez and Simone Caporale, Sips was destined for greatness even before it rocketed into the list at No. 37 just a few short months after opening in 2021,” William Drew, content director of The World’s 50 Best Bars, said.
“The bar seamlessly translates contemporary innovation and technical precision into a playful cocktail programme, accompanied by the warmest hospitality, making it a worthy winner.”
London dominated the list with five bars, more than any other city, including two in the top 10 – Connaught Bar, which ranks fifth, and Tayer + Elementary in eighth place.
Two Aussie bars make the list
Australia also came in strong with Sydney’s Maybe Sammy taking out 15th spot and winning The Best Bar in Australasia for a fifth time in a row and Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage making its debut in 23rd place.
“We are feeling very proud and obviously very overwhelmed,” Maybe Sammy manager Sarah Proietti told news.com.au.
“A lot of hand work goes into what we do and to be recognised on a global stage is a feeling that is very hard to describe.”
From its crisp green and gold decor to its delectable drink menu, the bar in The Rocks in Sydney embodies everything you would expect from an award-winning venue.
“We have a very unique take on cocktails,” Ms Proietti said.
She explained the concept is based on “mirage” where “nothing is as it seems”, adding that the cocktail menu is inspired by natural phenomena, art and illusions, with each concept delivered through experimental methodology, unique ingredients and innovative flavour combinations.
“We are over the moon and we took some time to process the last 24 hours,” the bar’s latest Instagram post read.
“What’s made this day truly magical is sharing this special moment with our incredible team.”
“We’re deeply moved by the overwhelming global love and support we’ve received, and our hearts overflow with gratitude for our exceptional team,” the post continues.
“Your tireless dedication, limitless passion breathe life into Maybe Sammy every single day. “From the depths of our hearts, thank you.”
Meanwhile, the Caretaker’s Cottage on Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne also did Australia proud.
This is how the World’s 50 Best Bars describes it: “[It] is a subtle temple to great drinks — the lighting, the sound, the natural timber adorning much of the room – everything conveys warmth and understated elegance. And that’s how the hospitality feels, too.”
It’s an extremely unique concept inside where you are up close and personal with the bartenders making your drinks behind the bar, which also functions as a DJ booth.
“From that bar comes drinks made with precision, whether that is Melbourne’s best Guinness or what is probably Australia’s coldest Martini.”
The Perrier-sponsored awards ceremony was held in Singapore on Tuesday, with the list compiled by votes from The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, which comprises more than 680 drinks experts, including renowned bartenders and consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists.
Who else made the cut
Also representing Spain is Barcelona bar Paradiso, which was last year’s number one, now in fourth spot and Madrid’s Salmon Guru (16th).
Five Italian bars made the list – Drink Kong (21st) and Freni e Frizioni (33rd) in Rome; 1930 (42nd) in Milan; L’Antiquario (44th) in Naples and Locale Firenze (46th) in Florence.
Meanwhile, over in Greece, three bars from Athens represented with Line (12th), Baba Au Rum (25th) and The Clumsies (47th).
And of the Nordic countries, Oslo’s Himkok ranked 10th while Röda Huset in Stockholm took out 31st place.
The Best Bar in South America is Cartagena’s Alquímico – a title it also held last year. It ranks ninth overall.
Over in the Middle East, it was Dubai-based Mimi Kakushi that secured 40th place overall as The Best Bar in The Middle East and Africa — while Bangkok’s BKK Social Club (13th overall) took the top spot as The Best Bar in Asia, while last year’s winner Singapore’s Jigger and Pony, ranked 14th.
”At 50 Best, we take great pride in highlighting the unparalleled diversity of the global bar industry and we extend our sincere congratulations to each bar that has earned a place on this illustrious ranking,” Mr Drew added.
“We have once again seen the number of cocktail cities represented here increase, and hope this list continues to ignite the spark of wanderlust for cocktail lovers around the world.”
For the full list visit The World’s 50 Best Bars website.
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