London’s cubist-inspired Connaught named the world’s best bar in 2020

Connaught Bar in London has just clinched to top spot in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2020, as well as being voted the number one bar in Europe. The 12^th edition of the annual list – sponsored by Perrier and featuring venues in 23 countries; with 11 new entries spread across Australia, Colombia and Greater China – was announced in an online awards ceremony on 5^th November. During extensive consultations with industry figures, its Academy Chairs, bar owners, bartenders and partners, the 50 Best organisation received widespread support for releasing a ranking that aims to bind the community even closer together and provide positive news for bars as they enter the next stage of recovery from the global pandemic.

Under the masterful leadership of Agostino Perrone, the venue’s director of mixology, Connaught Bar stays true to its principles of presenting artful drinks with graceful service in an elegant setting. Designed by the late David Collins, the cubist-inspired bar celebrated its tenth year in 2018 and is known for its unique Martini trolley, where bartenders give a personalised drinks experience to guests.

At no.2 is last year’s winner Dante, New York, which also takes The Best Bar in North America title, sponsored by Asahi Super Dry. Coming in at no.3 is The Clumsies, Athens, while Singapore’s Atlas lands at no.4 and is The Best Bar in Asia, sponsored by Rémy Martin.

The UK leads Europe with nine bars on the list. London’s Tayēr + Elementary wins Disaronno Highest New Entry Award at no.5 and Kwānt clinches London Essence Best New Opening at no.6.  Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires places no.7 and is named The Best Bar in South America, while China leads the way in Asia with five bars on the list, including Hong Kong’s Coa at no.8 (Nikka Highest Climber Award). Australia places three bars from Sydney, with Maybe Sammy taking The Best Bar in Australasia at no.11.

Other special awards announced in the run-up to the event on 5^th November include Maybe Sammy, Sydney, winner of Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award; Galaxy Bar, Dubai, winner of Campari One To Watch Award; and Renato “Tato” Giovannoni of Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires, winner of Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. The 51-100 list 2020, presented in association with Mancino Vermouth, was released the week before the virtual ceremony. 

Mark Sansom, Content Editor for The World’s 50 Best Bars, says: “We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the venues on the 2020 list of The World’s 50 Best Bars. We are continually heartened by the industry’s resilience and positivity as countries continue to operate in varying degrees of recovery. Hats off to Connaught Bar, undoubtedly one of the finest cocktail bars of our time. The institution has earned a place on the list every year since 2010 and it has gradually grown in stature to become the world-beating bar it is today. Ago Perrone and his team are dedicated to excellence and look at every element of the guest experience to choreograph a faultless service. The Martinis aren’t bad, either.”

“We at 50 Best hope that the announcement of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2020 will act as a show of strength for the global bar community. It displays to the world that even in the face of the ever-shifting challenges and restrictions being thrown at them, bars are still doing everything that they can to continue to provide great hospitality experiences. As we move into the next stages of international recovery, it is vital to get the message out that bars are open for business and ready to receive guests safely and securely.”

The editorial unit

For further information visit the World’s 50 Best Bars website here.

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2020

Ranking		Establishment	City	Country
1		Connaught Bar	London	UK
2		Dante	New York	USA
3		The Clumsies	Athens	Greece
4		Atlas	Singapore	Singapore
5		Tayēr + Elementary	London	UK
6		Kwānt	London	UK
7		Florería Atlántico	Buenos Aires	Argentina
8		Coa	Hong Kong	China
9		Jigger & Pony	Singapore	Singapore
10		The SG Club	Tokyo	Japan
11		Maybe Sammy	Sydney	Australia
12		Attaboy	New York	USA
13		Nomad Bar	New York	USA
14		Manhattan	Singapore	Singapore
15		The Old Man	Hong Kong	China
16		Katana Kitten	New York	USA
17		Licorería Limantour	Mexico City	Mexico
18		Native	Singapore	Singapore
19		Paradisco	Barcelona	Spain
20		American Bar	London	UK
21		Carnaval	Lima	Peru
22		Salmón Gurú	Madrid	Spain
23		Zuma	Dubai	UAE
24		Little Red Door	Paris	France
25		1930	Milan	Italy
26		Two Schmucks	Barcelona	Spain
27		El Copitas	St Petersburg	Russia
28		Cantina OK!	Sydney	Australia
29		Lyaness	London	UK
30		Himkok	Oslo	Norway
31		Baba au Rum	Athens	Greece
32		Panda & Sons	Edinburgh	UK
33		Swift	London	UK
34		Three Sheets	London	UK
35		The Bamboo Bar	Bangkok	Thailand
36		Tjoget	Stockholm	Sweden
37		Buck & Breck	Berlin	Germany
38		Employees Only	New York	USA
39		Bulletin Place	Sydney	Australia
40		Bar Benfiddich	Tokyo	Japan
41		Artesian	London	UK
42		Sober Company	Shanghai	China
43		Indulge Experimental Bistro	Taipei	Taiwan
44		Bar Trigona	Kuala Lumpur	Malaysia
45		Drink Kong	Rome	Italy
46		Room by Le Kief	Taipei	Taiwan
47		Alquimico	Cartagena	Colombia
48		High Five	Tokyo	Japan
49		Charles H	Seoul	Korea
50		Presidente	Buenos Aires	Argentina

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2020 51-100 list