Combining canals, cycle culture and an effortlessly cool approach to cocktails, the Dutch capital is set to welcome the region's leading bar luminaries in June 2026.
Long heralded as a tourist hotspot for its Golden Age architecture, Unesco-listed canal network and famously liberal sensibilities, Amsterdam will see the very best bartenders, bar owners and cocktail glitterati land for the inaugural event programme and reveal of Europe's 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier.
To celebrate the first edition of Europe's 50 Best Bars, 50 Best will bring a series of exciting events to the city in June 2026, culminating in the announcement of the highly anticipated list at an awards ceremony on 30 June at De Kromhouthal.
Highlights of the event programme will include the now-legendary Bartenders' Feast, an exclusive event for the bar teams ranked on this year's list that allows them to connect over bites and sips that showcase the best of local food and drink. It will all wind down on the afternoon of 1 July with the Closing Party.
The debut edition of Europe's 50 Best Bars will be revealed in Amsterdam on 30 June 2026
The debut list will be unveiled at a grand awards ceremony on Tuesday 30 June, with showstopping red carpet arrivals and a drinks reception in advance of the live countdown reveal, leading to the much sought after title of The Best Bar in Europe 2026, sponsored by Perrier.
As well as the hotly anticipated countdown from No.50 to No.1, 50 Best will also name a series of special award winners on the night, recognising exceptional venues and individuals who are leading the vanguard of European cocktail culture.
These include the One To Watch Award – designed to celebrate a rising star bar that 50 Best team believes has the potential to break into the ranking in future award editions; the Roku Industry Icon Award, bestowed upon an individual who the voting Academy deem has had real impact on the drinks industry in Europe, and the Three Cents Best New Opening Award, which is awarded to a freshly opened bar that has landed with impact in the rankings.
In addition to the ranking reveal, a host of special awards will be unveiled at the awards ceremony
Other awards announced on the night will be the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award, the Best Bar Design Award and a series of Best in Destination Awards that honour the highest numerically ranked bars in their region.
The ranking is compiled by the votes from more than 300 gender-balanced, anonymous European bar industry experts from across the region. The voting panel – the Europe's 50 Best Bars Academy – comprises a balanced mix of bartenders, bar owners, drinks media and well-travelled cocktail connoisseurs, selected by the 11 Academy Chairs, each representing a sub-region of Europe.
Unlike other awards, there is no cost for entry, shortlisting or attendance. Any style of bar in the region is eligible for votes and bars do not have to fit any criteria, stock any particular product or tick any pre-ordained boxes to be considered. Voters are simply asked to name their seven very best bar experiences from the previous 18 months. More information about how the voting works, who the Academy Chairs are and how the list is compiled can be found on our dedicated website.
The list of Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, will be revealed in Amsterdam on Tuesday 30 June.
