Bar Leone Retains Global Top Spot as Paris Overtakes London in 2026 Rankings

Key points

• Bar Leone in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan neighborhood won the top spot for the second year running, praised for its 'cocktail popolari' philosophy and nostalgic Italian design.
• The 2026 list was determined by 800 judges and unveiled in Milan, with Moebius Milano in Milan taking second place and Alquímico in Cartagena taking third.
• Paris has overtaken London as Europe’s top cocktail destination for the first time, tying with New York and Hong Kong for the most bars on the list.
• London’s Waltz, a Japanese-inspired bar in East London, debuted at number 32, becoming the first new bar to enter the list since Scarfes in 2023.
• Only four U.S. bars made the list, with Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City ranking highest at number 6, while New York’s Schmuck placed 11th.

Background

The 50 Best Bars list, organized by UK-based media company The 50, has become a significant industry benchmark, similar to their annual rankings for restaurants, hotels, and vineyards. Previous years saw Bar Leone first claim the top spot in 2025, marking the first time an Asian bar held the title. The 2026 rankings continue to highlight global diversity, with entries from cities like Bangkok, Athens, and Singapore, reflecting a shift toward international cocktail culture beyond traditional European hubs.

How outlets are covering it

CNN and Robb Report both confirm Bar Leone’s second consecutive win and the top five rankings, but Robb Report provides additional detail on the voting process, noting 800 judges participated. Robb Report also highlights Paris’s rise over London and the specific rankings of New York bars, while CNN focuses more on the aesthetic and cultural descriptions of the top five venues. CN Traveller offers a unique perspective by focusing on London’s Waltz, emphasizing its debut at number 32 as a major milestone for the city’s bar scene, a detail not emphasized by the other outlets. Yahoo’s coverage is limited to the U.S. entries, highlighting the scarcity of American bars on the global list.

Why it matters

The 2026 rankings signal a shift in global cocktail culture, with Paris emerging as a new European leader and Asian bars like Bar Leone maintaining top positions. The inclusion of new venues like Waltz and the rise of Paris suggest that the industry is moving beyond traditional hubs like London and New York, reflecting a more diverse and globalized approach to bar design and mixology.

What to watch

The 2026 rankings will likely influence travel and tourism trends, with destinations like Hong Kong, Milan, and Paris becoming key stops for cocktail enthusiasts. The success of Bar Leone and the rise of Paris may encourage more investment in bar design and mixology in these cities. Additionally, the debut of Waltz and other new bars could inspire further innovation in the industry, potentially leading to more diverse and globally influenced cocktail scenes in the coming years.