Dimly lit bars with gleaming strings of light where a skilled bartender who stands behind the counter uplifts your spirits with a carefully crafted drink whose citrusy or musky smell tantalises the taste buds. This list of the most creative and unique bars is given by the prestigious awards World’s 50 Best Bars, making them the absolute best in the world.
Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
Considered the best bar in the world, its humble appearance from the outside is just a facade to its stunning Dali-inspired interiors clad with wood that swirls to form a dreamy ceiling. You will find some of the most elusive drinks that taste like an absolute rager, including the infamous Supercool Martini, which uses an iceberg in the glass for a theatrical display of perfection. The mastermind behind the new menu is Giacomo Giannotti, who heralds magic and space to blend different spirits for curating 15 new cocktails. Some of the best are Fleming and On Fire, which are inspired by human evolution.
Tayēr + Elementary, London, U.K.
Upon entering the premises, you will be taken aback by this bar’s simple and elegant demeanour, which has loads of sunlight and minimalistic design but lots of warmth. This street-side space is created for quick drinks and has drinks from the tap but with a cocktail twist. They even boast their at-home own-label wine and beer, which makes their bar even more nuanced and a haven for seasoned drinkers who don’t drink to get sloshed but to savour the subtle favours of alcohol. You should definitely try out their signature One Sup Martini along with season classics, which are served in simple glasses so as to focus on the brew.
Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico
This bar is a stalwart in the bar scene not only in Mexico City but also for bar owners around the world, who look at it for inspiration on a regular basis. The intoxicating vibe is fuelled by experimentation with flavours, which makes them come up with the most scintillating mixes. Still, their Margarita al Pastor is often the most-ordered drink all year round. For their special menu, they ordered special ingredients from Oaxaca, along with inviting world-famous bartenders to spin their magic.
Little Red Door, Paris, France
As the name suggests, a fancy red door sits at its entrance, which pays homage to Paris. It has topped many lists throughout its run and aims to reinvent itself constantly and not stick to a tried and tested menu. Using seasonal ingredients right from the farm, the flavours are immaculate even though the names of the drinks are ordinary, like Carrot. But the type of flavours it beholds is just mind-boggling. Its eco-friendly model and connectivity to its guests have made it win hearts for so many years.
Jigger & Pony, Singapore
As striking as the name of this bar is, their cocktails are equally striking, with a special emphasis on quality and unconventionality. It was started by the husband and wife team Indra Kantono and Gan Guoyi, whose genius has made them expand to more bars and restaurants. They even started the PONY bottled cocktail line, which has made them very popular as well. The bar looks straight out of a 1930s movie set, which gives it an exquisite vibe coupled with its signature cocktails.
Katana Kitten, New York, USA
This Japanese dive bar is the creation of ace bartender Masahiro Urushido, whose devotion to this craft has won him many accolades. Situated in an underground setting, which gives a vibe of the 80s along with Asian influences, this is the go-to place for New Yorkers. The star of the bar is the Slowpitch Paloma, which uses Thai chilli, tequila and Pocari Sweat as its core ingredients. The Hinoki Martini uses hinoki tree essence and junmai daiginjo for an interesting spin.
