The 2025 World's 50 Best Bars ceremony held a surprise in store: Slovakia's Mirror Bar was the highest new entry and is now placed 25th in the rankings.
On Wednesday, the cocktail world's eyes were fixed on Hong Kong, as the World's 50 Best Bars were announced for the 17th year running. The prestigious list is compiled by a panel of experts, including bartenders, mixologists and other hospitality professionals with Hong Kong's very own Bar Leone voted the best bar in the world. Only four newcomers made it into the top 50 this year, including Sastreria Martinez in Lima, Svanen in Oslo, Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou and – the highest ranked newcomer – the Mirror Bar in Bratislava.
The hotel bar of the historic Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel in Bratislava's old town has risen rapidly in the rankings since 2023: It came in 90th in 2023, Made 57th place in 2024 – and now, a giant leap to 25th. The bar philosophy has been further enhanced under the leadership of brand ambassador Stanislav Harcinik and bar manager Peter Marcina, who work with local suppliers, designers, and artists to perfect the overall experience, from the glassware to the menu design to the sophisticated drinks. Their selection is based on three stylistic pillars: "elegance, art and nature". For instance, their Cosmopolitan is inspired by Elton John, the Old Fashioned by Franz Liszt and the Espresso Martini by Alfred Nobel.
In the run-up to the award ceremony, the 51st to 100th places were published in late September. Only one establishment from the Germansphere made it into the top 100 this year, with Berlin's trendy Wax on nabbing 57th place. The highest density of award-winning bars can be found in major cities like Paris, London, Milan and Athens, with two bars from Barcelona making it into the top 5 (Sips and Paradiso).
SEE THE ENTIRE LIST OF THE 50 BEST BARS 2025
