TOP 500 BARS 2025 Unveils Global Cocktail Culture in Motion

Top 500 Bars is an emerging global bar ranking that has gained significant attention in recent years. Unlike traditional lists determined by industry votes, the Top 500 Bars uses a data-driven algorithm that compiles input from over 2,000 global sources. These include professional reviews, customer feedback, online search trends, and social media activity. Emphasizing “collective intelligence,” this ranking offers a broader and more diverse perspective, complementing the expert-led selections of other lists.

Top 25 bars on the 2025 list:

NO.1 Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, UK)

NO.2 Paradiso (Barcelona, Spain)

NO.3 Bar Leone (Hong Kong, China)

NO.4 Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)

NO.5 Jigger & Pony (Singapore)

NO.6 HIMKOK (Oslo, Norway)

NO.7 Tayēr + Elementary (London, UK)

NO.8 Alquímico (Cartagena, Colombia)

NO.9 Moebius (Milan, Italy)

NO.10 SIPS (Barcelona, Spain)

NO.11 Salmon Guru (Madrid, Spain)

NO.12 Connaught Bar (London, UK)

NO.13 Tres Monos (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

NO.14 The Cambridge Public House (Paris, France)

NO.15 Locale (Florence, Italy)

NO.16 Maybe Sammy (Sydney, Australia)

NO.17 Danico (Paris, France)

NO.18 Bar Nouveau (Paris, France)

NO.19 Tan Tan (São Paulo, Brazil)

NO.20 Baba au Rum (Athens, Greece)

NO.21 Scarfes Bar (London, UK)

NO.22 Satan’s Whiskers (London, UK)

NO.23 CoChinChina (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

NO.24 Angelita (Madrid, Spain)

NO.25 Zest (Seoul, South Korea)

Global Expansion and New City Frontiers

The 2025 list features bars from 53 countries and 125 cities—marking a global expansion far beyond traditional rankings. While European powerhouses like London, Barcelona, and Paris still lead the way, cities in Asia and Latin America are rapidly rising. Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires all earned top spots. Notably, cities like Medellín, Abu Dhabi, Montevideo, and Pune made their debut, signaling a shift in where world-class bars are emerging.

Immersive Design and Concept Innovation

Bars are increasingly pushing the boundaries of space and concept. Paradiso in Barcelona, for example, is hidden behind a sandwich shop refrigerator door, leading guests into a whimsical, design-rich interior. Bar Nouveau in Paris blends Art Nouveau elegance with modern environmental themes in just 16 square meters. From speakeasies and minimalist hideaways to immersive art installations, today's top bars are defined by experiential design as much as their drinks.

Sustainability and Local Culture

Environmental consciousness and cultural storytelling have become essential. HIMKOK in Oslo features house-distilled spirits and showcases Norwegian tradition. Alquímico in Cartagena even relocated staff to a rural farm during the pandemic to grow organic cocktail ingredients. In Hong Kong, Penicillin champions closed-loop sustainability, reducing waste and carbon output. These examples show how top bars now integrate social responsibility and local identity into their operations.

Coexistence of Classics and Rising Stars

The list highlights a mix of timeless legends and bold newcomers. Iconic venues like Connaught Bar (London) and Salmon Guru (Madrid) continue to perform, while recent entries like Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City) and Bar Leone (Hong Kong) have skyrocketed in just a few years. This coexistence proves that the global bar scene values both legacy and innovation, creating a vibrant ecosystem for growth and reinvention.

Asia and Latin America on the Rise

Asian cities have made significant strides, with bars from Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, and Bangkok increasingly recognized. Likewise, Latin American venues are standing out—Mexico City, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Cartagena all boast highly ranked establishments. These regions are not only catching up to traditional bar hubs but also infusing the cocktail world with distinct flavors, local ingredients, and fresh narratives.