Thursday 5th November saw the global cocktail community come together for the reveal of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier. The ceremony was screened in bars, cinema rooms and homes all over the world as bartenders shared messages of solidarity and support to recognise each other’s work and talent after eight months of hardship. The awards were designed to provide impetus for cautious positivity and optimism as bars enter the crucial next stage of recovery. Follow the action as the ceremony played out across the globe
Bars waited in anticipation for the event to begin
The world’s top cocktail bars became screening rooms as they prepared for their position to be revealed.
1930 in Milan and El Copitas in St Petersburg prepare for the event
50 Best paid homage to the bars who have worked tirelessly to survive after receiving a grant from the 50 Best for Recovery fund:
The Campari One To Watch Award headed to the Middle East
The bar earmarked with the potential to break into the list in future years was Galaxy Bar in Dubai, UAE, as it was named the Campari One To Watch. It marked the first time this award has gone to a venue in the Middle East.
Heering Legend of the List Award given to a Japanese stalwart
Legendary Japanese bartender Hidetsugu Ueno collected the award on behalf of his bar High Five. The Heering Legend of the List is given to the bar which has performed most consistently in The World’s 50 Best Bars list since its inception. This award can only be won once.
New drinks were created as bars made the most of liquid from 50 Best’s partner brands...
The Indulge Experimental Bistro team get creative in Taipei 
Margarita Sader and Giacomo Giannotti of Paradiso, Barcelona, design a new drink
Jigger and Pony, Singapore, and Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, create a fresh serve
The Ketel One Sustainable Bar award landed in Latin America
Judged independently by Food Made Good Global, this award is given to the bar with the best sustainability credentials. Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia, took the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award this year, predominantly for its work in establishing a farm to not only produce ingredients for the bar, but also to provide a home for the bar’s team during the country’s lockdown.
The Alquímico team on their new farm, 900km from their bar in Cartagena
Renato Giovannoni named Altos Bartenders’ Bartender
The only peer-voted award of the night went to the man who is credited with bringing South American cocktail culture to the global stage with his bar, Florería Atlántico. Congratulations to Tato.
Australia’s finest take Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award
Oceania’s top bar, Sydney’s Maybe Sammy, was announced as the venue which offers the best service of any bar in the world, as judged by the 540-strong voting academy for The World’s 50 Best Bar. It was the inaugural year for the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.
The commemorative red scarves from Matusalem became the hottest accessory for bartenders' A/W 2020 wardrobes...
Charles H's team in Seoul working the red scarves and 50 Best t-shirts
Two Schmucks in Barcelona team their scarves with the commemorative cocktail shaker from Mancino Vermouth
Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur, and Maybe Sammy, Sydney, dress up the must-have accessory
Ashtin Berry announced as the Roku Industry Icon
Berry has done more for marginalised communities in the hospitality sector than anyone else and was named the Roku Industry Icon. An activist who has dedicated her work to positively transforming the whole bar, hotel and restaurant industries, she speaks with experience, eloquence and passion on the issues central to making hospitality a more inclusive and equitable space. 
Ashtin Berry accepts her award from her home in New Orleans
Jay Khan received Nikka Highest Climber
After a meteoric rise of 41 places from No.49 in 2019 to No.8 in 2020, Hong Kong’s Coa was named the Nikka Highest Climber 2020 and its agave evangelist co-owner Jay Khan gave a quick acceptance speech.
Jay Khan paid tribute to the bar world for its dedication in recent months
Teams all over the world celebrated their bars’ positions as they discovered where they have placed for the first time...
New entry Alquímico is happy to join the list
Salmon Guru in Madrid give it up when their ranking is announced (No.22)
Team Little Red Door, Paris, and The Clumsies, Athens, bask in their achievements
Kwānt landed the London Essence Best New Opening
Erik Lorincz’s hidden masterpiece, Kwānt, in the heart of London is announced as the London Essence Best New Opening.
Disaronno Highest New Entry went to Tayēr + Elementary
Monica Berg and Alex Kratena celebrate an outstanding first 18 months for their East London bar, Tayēr + Elementary, which receives the award for the bar entering the list for the first time at the highest ranking. It secured the No.5 spot.
And the No.1 is unveiled…
After 10 years in the top 10, London’s Connaught Bar is announced The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier. Agostino Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani and Maura Milia celebrate in the traditional fashion…
Missed the event? Watch it in full on 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel on demand:
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