World's Number One Two Years in a Row! The World's 50 Best Bars 2026 List Revealed, Hong Kong's Bar Leone Takes the Top Spot Again
To take the global No.1 spot two years in a row is truly incredible!
Summary
- Hong Kong's Bar Leone Retains Crown: Founded by Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone has once again claimed the No. 1 spot globally, becoming the first bar in Asia to be named the world's best for two consecutive years.
- Hong Kong Reclaims Title as Asia's Cocktail Capital: With four bars making the list (Bar Leone at No. 1, Argo at No. 25, Montana at No. 36, and Gokan at No. 41), Hong Kong reclaims its position as Asia's premier cocktail capital.
- Paris Emerges as Europe's New Cocktail Capital: Paris has four bars on the list (tying with Hong Kong and New York for the most globally), surpassing London for the first time as the European city with the most entries.
- Special Award Highlights: Shingo Gokan won the Roku Industry Icon Award; Mexico City's Bar Mauro (No. 10) took home the Best New Opening Award.
For cocktail lovers, the reveal of “The World’s 50 Best Bars” list is the most anticipated event of the year. The 18th annual awards ceremony took place in Milan, Italy, and the most exciting news for Hong Kong bar fans is that Bar Leone in Central successfully defended its title, taking the crown as “The World’s Best Bar,” sponsored by Perrier, for the second consecutive year!
Hong Kong’s Bar Leone: How did it secure the world’s number one spot two years in a row?
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Located in the heart of Central, Bar Leone was co-founded by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori and his partners, drawing inspiration from the traditional bars of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood. Stepping away from flashy presentation and complex gimmicks, the bar stays true to the spirit of “Cocktail Popolari” (meaning “cocktails for the people”), focusing on genuine hospitality and classic drinks crafted with exceptional skill.
The interior is filled with retro Italian elements, combining wooden decor, soccer memorabilia, and nostalgic ornaments to create a warm, relaxing neighborhood atmosphere. Alongside the signature cocktails, popular snacks like smoked olives and mortadella sandwiches keep food lovers coming back. Community Director Faye Huggett noted that Bar Leone’s back-to-back victory demonstrates the true impact of the “Cocktail Popolari” philosophy on global bar culture.
Hong Kong reclaims its title as Asia’s cocktail capital
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This year’s list spans 26 cities around the globe. Hong Kong demonstrated its strong cocktail culture with four bars making the cut: Bar Leone taking the top spot, alongside Argo (No. 25), newcomer Montana (No. 36), and Gokan (No. 41), reclaiming its position as Asia’s premier cocktail capital. Gokan’s founder, Shingo Gokan, was also honored with the “Roku Industry Icon Award” for his profound influence on modern cocktail culture.
Paris surpasses London for the first time
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In Europe, Paris made history this year. With four bars on the list (including The Cambridge Public House at No. 13, Bar Nouveau at No. 15, De Vie at No. 23, and Danico at No. 26), it surpassed London for the first time to become the European city with the most entries, tying with Hong Kong and New York for the most featured bars globally.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026: The Complete List
- Bar Leone (Hong Kong)
- Moebius Milano (Milan)
- Alquímico (Cartagena)
- Bar Us (Bangkok)
- Line (Athens)
- Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City)
- Zest (Seoul)
- Connaught Bar (London)
- Lady Bee (Lima)
- Bar Mauro (Mexico City)
- Schmuck (New York)
- Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou)
- The Cambridge Public House (Paris)
- Sip & Guzzle (New York)
- Bar Nouveau (Paris)
- Sips (Barcelona)
- Paradiso (Barcelona)
- Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
- The Bar in Front of the Bar (Athens)
- Exímia (São Paulo)
- Tres Monos (Buenos Aires)
- Mamba Negra (Medellín)
- De Vie (Paris)
- Himkok (Oslo)
- Argo (Hong Kong)
- Danico (Paris)
- Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (Bangkok)
- El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara)
- Satan’s Whiskers (London)
- BKK Social Club (Bangkok)
- Victor Audio Bar (Buenos Aires)
- Waltz (London)
- Locale Firenze (Florence)
- Mirror Bar (Bratislava)
- Tan Tan (São Paulo)
- Montana (Hong Kong)
- Sastrería Martinez (Lima)
- Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
- Bar Carmen (Medellín)
- Barro Negro (Athens)
- Gokan (Hong Kong)
- Mimi Kakushi (Dubai)
- Nouvelle Vague (Tirana)
- Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)
- Caretaker’s Cottage (Melbourne)
- Martiny’s (New York)
- Tlecān (Mexico City)
- Virtù (Tokyo)
- Bar Snack (New York)
- Angelita (Madrid)
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Whether you prefer the warm, relaxed vibe of a Roman street or want to explore mixology that blends fermentation techniques with avant-garde design, this global list of the top 50 bars is absolutely worth saving for your next itinerary!
Join POPBEE Circle and subscribe to the POPBEE Newsletter for the latest updates, exclusive privileges, and special discounts! Along with this article, here are a few recent stories you might want to check out:
- The No. 1 Hotel Meets the No. 1 Bar! Rosewood Hong Kong x Bar Leone Surprise Collaboration
- Even Bars Are Releasing Collaborations: Bar Leone Teams Up With Kappa for a Vintage Half-Zip Pullover
- Can your eyes deceive you? Museum of Illusions lands at Hong Kong's Peak, taking you through 50 incredible sensory spaces
