Hong Kong’s Bar Leone has been named the world’s best bar for the second consecutive year, leading the 2026 ranking of The 50 Best Bars. Moebius Milano in Milan takes second place, followed by Alquímico in Cartagena, giving travelers three very different cities to put on a cocktail-focused itinerary.
Revealed in Milan on October 7, the list spans 26 cities and includes 14 new entries. The appeal stretches beyond famous names: neighborhood bars, hotel addresses and inventive newcomers all feature, offering plenty of reasons to leave room for an evening out on a city break.
Why Bar Leone Keeps Winning
Opened in 2023 by Lorenzo Antinori and Justin Shun Wah, Bar Leone brings the spirit of a Roman neighborhood bar to Hong Kong’s Central district. Its philosophy, Cocktail Popolari, puts well-made drinks and a relaxed welcome at the center of the experience.
Football memorabilia, Italian references and familiar classics such as negronis and martinis set the tone. The food is part of the draw, too: mortadella focaccia and smoked olives have become signatures, alongside drinks including an olive oil sour.
For visitors, one detail matters as much as the trophy. The bar remains walk-in-only, according to the organizer’s winner profile. Its address is 15 Bridges Street, Central, so build some flexibility into the evening rather than treating it as a guaranteed reservation.
The World’s 10 Best Bars for 2026
The leading positions cover nine cities, with Mexico City claiming two places. Here is the official top 10:
| Rank | Bar | City | Country or territory |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bar Leone | Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| 2 | Moebius Milano | Milan | Italy |
| 3 | Alquímico | Cartagena | Colombia |
| 4 | Bar Us | Bangkok | Thailand |
| 5 | Line | Athens | Greece |
| 6 | Handshake Speakeasy | Mexico City | Mexico |
| 7 | Zest | Seoul | South Korea |
| 8 | Connaught Bar | London | United Kingdom |
| 9 | Lady Bee | Lima | Peru |
| 10 | Bar Mauro | Mexico City | Mexico |
Bar Mauro also receives the Highest New Entry award, arriving directly at No. 10. Moebius Milano is named Europe’s best bar, while Alquímico takes the South American title. These regional distinctions help explain why the ranking works as a travel shortlist well beyond its overall winner.
Three More Addresses to Save
In Dubai, Mimi Kakushi places 42nd and retains the Middle East’s best bar title. Located at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, it draws on 1920s Osaka, combining a restaurant setting with a cocktail program that includes its ice-cold Nara Nara Martini.
Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich ranks 44th. The Shinjuku venue is known for Hiroyasu Kayama’s botanical approach, with herbs, spices and home-grown ingredients shaping the drinks.
In Guangzhou, Hope & Sesame takes 12th place. Its Dongshankou location and emphasis on Southern Chinese ingredients make it a distinctive addition to an evening exploring the city.
Which Cities Offer the Most Choice?
Hong Kong, Paris and New York each have four bars in the top 50. In Hong Kong, Bar Leone is joined by Argo at No. 25, Montana at No. 36 and Gokan at No. 41. Bangkok has three entries: Bar Us at No. 4, Dry Wave Cocktail Studio at No. 27 and BKK Social Club at No. 30.
That concentration is useful when planning: one award-winning bar can anchor an evening, with other options available if opening hours or availability do not fit. Check each venue’s own booking policy and current menu before going; a place on the list does not mean every bar accepts reservations or offers the same style of night out.
How to Use the List for Your Next Trip
The ranking reflects votes from more than 800 drinks experts, based on their bar experiences over the previous 18 months. It is a discovery tool shaped by those experiences, rather than a price guide or a promise that the highest-ranked venue will suit every traveler.
Save the organizer’s full list, then choose by neighborhood, atmosphere and the rest of your itinerary. Our coverage of the best pizzerias offers another starting point for planning a trip around food and drink.
Hong Kong’s success also extends to places to stay. As we reported in our hotel ranking coverage, Rosewood Hong Kong retained the world’s best hotel title in 2026, giving the city a second high-profile win for travelers considering their next visit.
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