The World's 50 Best Bars 2023

"The World's 50 Best Bars 2023" honors bars from 28 cities, rated by 680 experts worldwide. In first place, Barcelona's "Sips" is honored as "The Best Bar in Europe" and "The World's Best Bar". This is now the second time in a row that the winning award has gone to Barcelona, in 2022 for the Paradiso Triumph. Last year, Sips came third in the world ranking of the 50 best bars.

In the heart of Barcelona's L'Antiga Esquerra de L'Eixample district, Sips combines elegant design with cutting-edge technology to create a sleek and playful world of indulgence. The bar's atmospheric interior consists of muted pastel colors and gold-colored seating surrounding a futuristic island bar as a stage instead of a traditional bar. This design removes any barrier between guest and Barkeeper, with the aim of focusing on the human aspect of service and creating a captivating drinking experience that reaches all the senses.

Modern technology and playfulness are integral to the way in which drinks are served to guests. Instead of a glass, the "Primordial" is served in a metal pour with two hands, the Daiquiri Heliodora is served to the guest via a hand-turned machine with which sliced grapefruit ice is delivered and sherry is dripped into a glass with rum and lime using an oversized pipette.

2nd place goes to New York

In second place in Wolrd's 50 Best Bars is the "Double Chicken Please" in New York. The term "Double" reflects the duality of the bar's concepts. The front room is casual, an upscale homage to the soda stores that were once ubiquitous in the DCP's Lower East Side neighborhood. A pretty brass tap system dispenses Asian-inspired cocktails. The back room, called "The Coop", offers an elegant lounge with benches and wooden furniture. Coop draws inspiration from exploration and experimentation with traditional drinks and dishes.

Mexico City among the top 3

Ranked 11th last year, "Handshake Speakeasy" in Mexico City has now earned itself 3rd place in the world rankings. As the name suggests, the secret location of the Handshake Speakeasy (Prohibition-era term: "speakeasy" serving illegal alcohol) is hard to find. But anyone who discovers the lounge in Mexico City will be rewarded with an outstanding cocktail experience.

Tucked away in the trendy Colonia Juarez district, Handshake is a shrine of black lacquer, marble and brass dedicated to the cocktail. While the mid-century interior celebrates the golden age, the menu looks to the future. The drinks menu appears classic to the eye, but reveals unexpected, multi-layered flavors to the palate. The past is further represented by an extensive selection of rare and aged spirits.

Only 15 European bars among the 50 best

15 bars in European cities were honored with the Worlds 50 Best Bars award, including six in the UK (5 of them in London), four in Italy and one bar from the German-speaking world, Wax On in Berlin.