We want to end the year on the a high with the announcement of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2021, the 13th year for this prestigious list.
Following a virtual awards ceremony last year, this year returned to a glittering in-person awards ceremony, held earlier this month in London. The bar industry has been amongst the hardest hit during the seemingly never-ending COVID pandemic. Who knows what this new Omicron variant will do to the industry in 2022, so it’s important to celebrate NOW!
This year, to adapt to the pandemic and limited travel opportunities, the voting guidelines and requirements were reevaluated. There was no requirement for The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy to cast international votes, although if members did travel internationally, these experiences could inform their voting choices. The members were asked to anonymously vote for seven bars, in order of preference.
Connaught Bar in London has been crowned the number 1 bar in the world for a second year in a row under the leadership of masterful mixologist Agostino Perrone, with his unique martini trolley remaining the star of the show.
Now, let’s focus on local achievements. Hong Kong is represented by seven bars this year. Jay Khan’s COA, inspired by the flavours of Mexico, comes in at number 7 and has been named The Best Bar in Asia, also achieving the same title of The Best Bar in Asia earlier this year. Live jazz bar DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong is a new entry at 49, and HK stalwart Quinary returns to the list at number 50 – lucky last! We’re a bit confused why Caprice Bar – number 10 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021 – didn’t make the cut.
Jay Khan, co-founder of COA
We’d also like to give a shout-out to our SE Asian neighbour Singapore, leading the world list with six bars. If the HK-SG travel bubble ever comes to fruition, we’ll be keen to check out Jigger & Pony (9), Manhattan (15), ATLAS (16), No Sleep Club (26), MO BAR (36) and Tippling Club (43).
Also in Asia, Shanghai has landed three spots on the list: Sober Company at 39, E.P.I.C. at 41 and Union Trading Company at 48. Japan claims two spots, with Tokyo bars The SG Club at 18 and Bar Benfiddich at 32, while South Korea’s Charles H in Seoul comes in at 42. For the first time since 2010, India returns to the list, with Sidecar in New Delhi grabbing number 47.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 – top 10
1. Connaught Bar (London)
2. Tayēr + Elementary (London)
3. Paradiso (Barcelona)
4. The Clumsies (Athens)
5. Florería Atlántico (Buenos Aires)
6. Licorería Limantour (Mexico City)
7. COA (Hong Kong)
8. El Copitas (St Petersburg)
9. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
10. Katana Kitten (New York City)
Click here for the complete list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2021.
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