Food and wine

Twenty must-visit bars in the world’s top cities (plus five in Australia)

By Sam Gilani

June 22, 2025

Sip & Guzzle … among NYC’s cocktail elite.

What makes a good bar? The answer, of course, is subjective: one man or woman’s dry martini is another man or woman’s mai tai.

Some want the latest techniques with (sometimes literal) smoke and mirrors, others simply want a stiff drink to sip while watching the world go by. Then there are those, and increasingly so, who favour a mocktail over a cocktail. Once a means to an end, a place to drink with friends or meet a date, bars around the world have become the preferred pit stop for decadent socialising and, for travellers, an essential part of experiencing a destination.

After all, few things capture the soul of a city like its well-loved watering holes. Whether a slick parlour or tiki-themed dive, a great bar provides an instant connection to its home town – its locals, its inside jokes, its past and its cultural touchstones. It confirms or denies our expectations with merciless rapidity, laying its city bare in glorious microcosm.

Rome still has a soft spot for tradition, but there’s modern artistry too; Barcelona may have its Bohemian side, but it’s no stranger to elegance either. Here, our experts select the bars that best encapsulate the essence of their city, each one guaranteeing to offer authenticity, individuality and a rollicking good drinks list, whether it’s your first time in town, or your 20th.

New York, US

Sip & Guzzle

The bibulous fanfare surrounding Sip & Guzzle since it set up shop in Greenwich Village in early 2024 has yet to quieten down. On any night of the week, cocktail aficionados clamour for stools, so they can sip (or guzzle) the bar’s creative cocktails. It’s really two bars in one: on the ground floor is Guzzle, a first-come, first-serve bar, while downstairs at reservations-only Sip, the lights dim, the volume decreases and cocktails become more complex, such as Drunken Grandma’s Apple Pie, a bold mix of Calvados, baked apple, brown butter and egg whites. 29 Cornelia Street, New York; see sipandguzzle.com

Rome, Italy

Chorus Cafe

Even if the chic Chorus Cafe bar and restaurant weren’t set in a storied choir room once used by the Vatican, a quick chat with award-winning barman Massimo D’Addezio would leave no doubt you were in Rome. D’Addezio has that trademark Roman simpatia, serving up excellent cocktails and rapid-fire wit. Try his special concoction with vodka, passionfruit, lime juice and a splash of chilli pepper tincture. The ultra-stylish setting – with hushed lighting, soaring ceilings, art deco furnishings, Carrara marble and a modern bar designed like a communal table – makes this convivial spot a draw for locals and visitors alike. Located above the Auditorium Conciliazione, Via della Conciliazione 4, Rome; see choruscafe.it

Dubai, UAE

Barasti

Eventually, everyone who comes to Dubai finds themselves at Barasti. Dubbed the emirate’s OG bar, it was one of the first structures in Dubai Marina. Grainy old photos show it standing alone on the shore in 1995, an emblem of the hedonistic future to come. Today, it’s a sprawling beach club and open-air sports bar screening big league games, then spinning tunes until 3am. Special occasions are amped up by live bands; St Patrick’s Day is great craic. Le Meridien Mina Syahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina. Dubai; see barasitbeach.com

Prague, Czechia

House at the Golden Tiger

Prague has trendy cocktail spots and stylish wine bars galore these days, but at its heart the Czech capital remains one of the best places in Europe to enjoy a pivo. While the House at the Golden Tiger isn’t exactly a secret, it’s an incredible slice of local culture and tradition – a classic, wood-heavy beer hall set inside a 14th-century building that has hosted dissidents and intellectuals including Vaclav Havel and Bohumil Hrabal. Just a few minutes’ walk from Old Town Square, it has managed to maintain its lively local atmosphere. Arrive early to find a seat, order a beer in Czech, and enjoy it with a mustard-covered sausage while the ambience grows pleasantly raucous all around you. Husova 17, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic; see uzlatehotygra.cz

London, England

Amaro Bar

The team behind Amaro Bar cut their teeth in the capital’s prestigious five-star hotels – and it shows. A model of quintessential modern London cocktail culture, this Kensington haunt combines classic and contemporary flavours with the aesthetics of a heritage stalwart and the unhurried warmth of a local. Their guava pisco sour may be one of London’s best drinks, but it’s Dec’s Martini (served frozen with a hint of mezcal) that really captures the city’s mercurial spirit. All are welcomed like old friends, and it’s this balance of formal and fun that makes it such an all-round crowd pleaser. 15 Kensington High Street, London; see amarobar.co.uk

Berlin, Germany

Schoneberg’s Victoria Bar

New cocktail bars seem to open every month in Berlin, from experimental mixology labs to flamboyant, Weimar-inspired spots. But canny locals like to take friends to Schoneberg’s Victoria Bar – the kind of place with a diverse cast of regulars and experienced bartenders. Bag a table on the terrace if it’s sunny, or pull up a seat at the handsome bar and admire the artwork on the walls, which includes works by Sarah Lucas, Marcel Dzama and Martin Kippenberger. Happy hour runs from 6pm to 9pm, so start the evening with a Prince Charles 1995 – a Champagne cocktail with Cognac V.S.O.P., Giffard Abricot and Angostura. Potsdamer Strasse 102, Berlin; see victoribar.de

Tokyo, Japan

Royal Bar, Palace Hotel Tokyo

The cocktail culture of Tokyo is legendary, and rightly so – as with so many aspects of Japanese society, mixed drinks are treated with utmost seriousness and care, resulting in absolute pleasure for the drinker. That’s never more evident than at Royal Bar, a historic space credited with popularising the martini in Tokyo. Royal Bar is all dark corners and leather-bound chairs, a classy joint where guests are treated to the skills of chief bartender Manabu Ohtake, who works wonders with classics such as Manhattans, martinis and old fashioneds, while also introducing seasonal produce into a range of limited creations. Jazz tinkles softly in the background, guests chat amiably, and there’s nowhere you would rather be. 1-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City; see en.palacehoteltokyo.com

Bangkok, Thailand

Sky Bar

The Thai capital is all about rooftop bars, and not just any rooftop – we’re talking sky-high rooftops, hundreds of metres above the honk and glitter of the Bangkok streets. One of the best of these is Sky, an open-air bar on the 63rd floor of the Lebua building, a place jam-packed with wow factor from the moment you step out of the lift. The views up here are incredible, of course, perched as you are 250 metres above the ground. At night, Bangkok’s bright lights just seem to stretch on forever. The cocktails are tasty too, if a little on the pricey side for BKK. 1055 Si Lom Road, Si Lom; see lebua.com

Dublin, Ireland

Bar 1661

The chances of stumbling upon Bar 1661 accidentally are slim to none, but this Dublin bar stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. Though the impeccable cocktails are made with quirky components such as miso butter, dehydrated chillies and bone marrow, there’s zero pretentiousness – just well-worn bar stools, dark walls and chatty bartenders. The star ingredient is poitin, the once-banned Irish moonshine, so try that in their signature Belfast Coffee, where it’s shaken with cold brew, cream and nutmeg. 1 – 5 Green Street, Dublin; see bar1661.ie

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bar Britanico

“Bar” and “cafe” are used interchangeably in Buenos Aires, which has hundreds of local corner venues for soft and strong drinks. Many have Italian and Spanish connections, but Britanico is one of the few surviving joints with ties to the British presence. These days it’s open to allcomers, and is a place to come by day for good cortado or a bottle of beer and, in the evening, enjoy wine or vermouth and perhaps a meal. A few years ago, the bar was threatened with closure, but locals protested, and it was mercifully saved. With chequerboard tiles, windows on the street and calm lighting inside, it’s a classic BA experience. Brasil 399, San Telmo, Buenos Aires; see turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar

Copenhagen, Denmark

La Banchina

The Danish capital isn’t short of cool cocktail and craft beer joints, but nothing feels quite as quintessentially Copenhagen as laid-back La Banchina, a wine bar/cafe/restaurant on the Refshaleoen waterfront. Behind a small, blue-painted shack lies a large al fresco area where the sunny wooden dock is particularly popular (handy for taking dips in the harbour), though you may prefer a quieter, shadier spot amid the raised beds. To drink? An organic, flower-topped spritz or bottle of natural wine, ideally enjoyed as the sun sets across the water. Refshalevej 141, 1432 Copenhagen; 00 45 31 26 65 61; see labanchina.dk

Los Angeles, US

The Spare Room, Hollywood Roosevelt

Generally, hotel bars are rather sad places. But not so in Los Angeles. Here, many of the very best bars can be found in the city’s upmarket hotels, from the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel to the Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower. But the best of them all has to be The Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt. Hidden away within the storied hotel, it has plenty of old-school Tinseltown charm, with dark wood panelling, sultry lighting and vintage bowling lanes. Go with friends and order one of their potent punch bowls. 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles; see spareroomhollywood.com

Singapore

Jigger and Pony

This convivial, low-lit haunt was part of the wave of bars and restaurants that opened in the early 2010s and made the world sit up and take notice of Singapore as a competitive culinary destination. Though beginning as an independent spot, as its fortunes rose (it’s now No. 5 on The World’s 50 Best Bars), it moved into the more sultry confines of the Amara hotel, yet it retains a welcoming, cosy ambience. The magazine-like menu features helpful photos of each creation – try the Smashing Sundae, a delicious, fruity take on a milk punch. 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore; see jiggerandpony.com

Cape Town, South Africa

Planet Bar

Planet Bar is not exactly traditional, nor is it hip. It’s the heart of the posh and locally loved “Nellie” – the Mount Nelson, a pink confection of a hotel, with white trellised balconies and riotous flowerbeds, contemporary African art and antiques salvaged from the Union-Castle Line it once serviced. Charming waiters have been unruffling feathers here for more than a century, and deep, comfortable chairs house interesting, even famous, guests – local fashionistas, film directors and more. 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town; see belmond.com

Edinburgh, Scotland

Cafe Royal Edinburgh

Cafe Royal in Edinburgh’s New Town.Credit: Getty Images

The good folk of Edinburgh have been frequenting this little changed, outrageously ornate example of Victorian decorative excess just off Princes Street since the 1860s. It’s always been the place for celebrations, commiserations or just gazing awestruck at acres of mahogany and gilded plasterwork, but there have never been social boundaries here, reflected in stained-glass portrayals of Edinburgh trades and Royal Doulton tiles portraying its great inventors. Blend in with oysters and a glass of champagne and feel the glow. 19 West Register Street, Edinburgh; see caferoyaledinburgh.com

Barcelona, Spain

Caribbean Club

The trend for “secret” cocktail bars hidden behind fridges and broom cupboards continues apace in Barcelona, but the original speakeasy is still the best. Caribbean Club, hidden behind a wooden door down an El Raval alley, calls itself a “ronería” – a rum bar – and it stocks an enviable selection, though really you can order whatever you fancy. Styled as a cabin on an old-time cruise ship, it’s a cosy bolthole just off La Rambla but a million nautical miles away. Carrer de les Sitges, 5, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona; 34 933 02 21 82; no website

Miami, US

Sweet Liberty

With its cocktail program by homegrown mixology vanguard, the late great John Lermayer, Sweet Liberty is a laid-back neighbourhood spot in South Beach. It kicks up the energy late at night with an eclectic lineup of DJs and live music, but there’s always space to tuck away for a more relaxed night out. A favourite among locals and visitors alike, the airy, high-ceilinged space is inviting, with an industrial vibe softened by palm tree-patterned wallpaper. Recommended is Sweet Liberty’s pina colada, made with three different rums, coconut cream and Jamaican coffee, and you can’t visit without an order of their addictive cauliflower nachos. 237-B 20th Street, Miami Beach; mysweetliberty.com

Paris, France

Bar Josephine, Mandarin Oriental Lutetia

Yes tonight: Bar Josephine at the Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris.Credit:

Paris has no shortage of slinky drinking spots, but the refined Bar Josephine at Mandarin Oriental Lutetia is a favourite for a special treat. It feels quintessentially Parisian, thanks in part to its location in the historic heart of the Left Bank. Past patrons included Picasso, Cocteau and legendary cabaret star Josephine Baker, after whom it is named – and today it continues to attract a glitzy literary crowd. The fabulously restored art nouveau setting, including an exquisite 1910 mural, helps set the tone. Crucially, the cocktails are simply top-notch. Maestro mixologist Angelo Forte presides over a menu blending classics and more daring contemporary creations. 45 Boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris; see mandarinoriental.com

Mexico City, Mexico

Zinco Jazz Club

Mexico City is, famously, massive, and downtown can feel a bit unfriendly after dark. But a jazz bar is almost always the kindest – as well as the coolest – place to go in a new town. Zinco is a dimly lit, sultry venue housed inside a former bank vault, dating to the 1930s. Red drapes behind the stage and black decor make the ambience feel classy and opulent. It’s a showcase for local as well as visiting jazz bands and has an impressively busy roster. There are small tables with food service, but you may prefer to perch yourself by the corner of the bar, enjoy a slow mojito or premium mezcal and a quesadilla. Calle de Motolinia 20, Centro Historico, Centro, Mexico City; see zincojazz.com

Hong Kong, China

Captain’s Bar, Mandarin Oriental

Red centre: Captain’s Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.Credit:

Hong Kong has no shortage of fantastic bars, including nine entries in the 2024 edition of the 50 Best Bars in Asia, but the place that best embodies the city’s long cosmopolitan history is the Captain’s Bar at the Mandarin Oriental. It is a classic hotel bar, a windowless ruby red box, with low lighting and deep leather armchairs, that has barely changed since the 1980s. The Captain’s Bar eschews fads in favour of bartenders dressed in black dickie bows, perfectly mixed martinis and draught beers served in silver tankards (which regulars can have engraved). The live jazz music in the evenings only adds to the timeless vibe. 5 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong; see mandarinoriental.com

Five of Australia’s best bars

Caretaker’s Cottage bar, Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne.Credit:

Caretakers Cottage, Melbourne
In a city where black is always the new black, this diminutive city boozer and its Gothic-revival, bluestone setting is a masterclass in Melbourne-ness. Close quarters mean you’ll soon be chatting with regulars about vintage vinyl rarities and drink picks: Guinness on tap or their gloriously glacial house martini? There’s no wrong decision. See caretakerscottage.bar

Maybe Sammy, Sydney
You feel instantly at home at Maybe Sammy, which is perhaps what sets it apart from your average bar. Yes, the cocktails here are uber-creative and served with flair, drinks with smoke and bubbles and imaginative blends of high-end ingredients. The food is tasty too. But it’s the warmth of the welcome, the easy friendliness of the service, that makes Maybe Sammy Sydney’s best. See maybesammy.com

Mary Mary, Hobart
Trust us when we tell you: you have to try the rum Manhattan at Mary Mary. It’s crazy good. The bar blends three rums – Mount Gay Black Barrel, Bacardi Reserva Ocho and Plantation Overproof – and ages it in beeswax-coated jars, before serving it high with Pedro Ximenez sherry. Perfection. The historic sandstone walls and charming service just add to the allure. See marymarybar.com

The Gresham, Brisbane
Lovers of fine spirits, rejoice. The Gresham has shelves stacked with some of the finest, rarest bottles around, particularly whisky: try a Balvenie 21-year-old, a Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23, an Old Pulteney 25, an Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries, or dig into the huge ranges of Australian and American whiskies. And then prepare to indulge in stylish surrounds. See thegresham.com.au

Maybe Mae, Adelaide
Another indecisive bar name, another excellent bar. Maybe Mae is surely South Australia’s leading cocktail bar, with a menu that’s broken into four parts: “From the Market”, featuring seasonal produce; “From the Cellar”, using aged juices and preserves; “Hall of Fame”, the bar’s most popular; and “Non-Alcoholic”, which gets deserved attention. Grab a dark, leather-bound booth here and soak up the sophistication. See maybemae.com

CONTRIBUTORS Luciana Bellini, Shayne Benowitz, Nicola Brady, Lee Cobaj, Sally Davies, David Farley, Patrick Hamilton Courtney, Pippa de Bruyn, Sarah Hedley Hymers, Sam Gilani, Ben Groundwater, Suzanne King, Linda Macdonald, Hannah Meltzer, Chris Moss, Paul Sullivan, Rebecca Winke

The Telegraph, London

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