Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Travel Guides
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2021. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals and Events
    • Bus and Trains
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines and Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • BookTandL.com
  • Travel Guides
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Food and Drink
  3. Bars + Clubs
  4. What to Drink at the World's Top 10 Bars

What to Drink at the World's Top 10 Bars

By Erika Owen
October 13, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Courtesy of Artesian
"World's Best Bar" means something different for every person. For some, the ambience can make or break a watering hole. For others, a great cocktail is enough to keep them coming back for more. Earlier this month, Drinks International announced the winners from the World's 50 Best Bars Awards 2015 with inns and lounges from New York City all the way to Melbourne. Needless to say, it could stand alone as a great itinerary for the most enthusiastic cocktail connoisseurs.

This year's list ranges from speakeasies and tiki bars to restaurant bars and hotel bars—meaning there's a bar stool for every drinker. Not sold? We went a little further and pulled a few recommendations from visitors for each spot. Read on and start planning your next trip.

Erika Owen is the Audience Engagement Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @erikaraeowen.
Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

10. Black Pearl, Melbourne

Credit: Courtesy of Black Pearl

The Black Pearl is known for its killer cocktails and prime location on Melbourne's Fitzroy Street. The bartenders are no stranger to "Bartender of the Year" titles and you can expect a good conversation if you sit barside and get there early enough. They have a rotating selection of "house" cocktails—you can't go wrong with one of those.

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

9. Connaught Bar, London

Credit: Photo by Britta Jaschinski Courtesy of The Connaught Bar

The Connaught Bar in London is inspired by English Cubist and 1920's Irish art. What that means: Expect tons of glitzy, throwback style. Quietly shaken (never stirred!), the Connaught Martini Trolley is not to be missed. With hints of lavender, coriander, cardamom, ginger, grapefruit, vanilla, and liquorice, this isn't your neighborhood bar martini.

2 of 10

3 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

8. Happiness Forgets, London

Walk-ins are more than encouraged at Happiness Forgets: They save half-tables for anyone looking to stop in for a drink (or three). The entrance is a flight an unassuming stairs, but don't be fooled—just follow the sign for "Happiness." A super-chill (both in vibe and temperature) basement bar awaits. Try the Tokyo Collins; you won't regret it.

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

7. 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore

Credit: Courtesy of 8 Hong Kong Street

If 28 Hongkong Street's website is any indication, this bar isn't the easiest to spot. (Good thing the name serves as the actual address!) The dimly lit bar is known as one of the pioneers in the Singapore speakeasy scene with its original cocktails and cozy ambience. Try: The Hulk Smash, a lemony gin combination, followed up with some fried mac and cheese balls.

4 of 10

5 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

6. The Baxter Inn, Sydney

Credit: Courtesy of Baxter Inn

With more than 100 whiskeys to choose from, The Baxter Inn is the pub for any bourbon drinker looking for a cocktail in Sydney. Don't be put off by the line in front of the door—it's well worth the wait. Go simple and try a whiskey neat. They also carry Japanese scotch, which is always a treat.

5 of 10

6 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

5. American Bar, London

Credit: Erik Lorincz

The American Bar is located in the Stafford Hotel, which makes sense considering each of their cocktails is based off of a story that took place at the inn. We recommend: The Seabiscuit—Gordon Sloe gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, fresh blackberry pineapple juice, and grenadine topped up with soda water.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

4. Employees Only, New York City

Credit: Emilie Baltz

This speakeasy brings locals and tourists alike to its West Village location. Employees Only is known for their Manhattan, but if whiskey isn't your thing, give the Fraise Sauvagea try (Fords gin shaken with wild strawberries and Tahitian vanilla, and Employees Only Prosecco di Conegliano Brut).

7 of 10

8 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

3. Nightjar, London

Credit: Photo by Jerome Courtial Courtesy of Night Jar

Nightjar's menu spans pre-Prohibition sips to modern cocktails. The bar also follows a strict no-standing policy, turning what could be a potentially packed situation into the perfect spot for chatting drinks with the bartender or catching up with friends over some delicious cocktails. Try the London Mule, which comes in a barrel and is as big as it sounds.

8 of 10

9 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

2. The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, New York City

Credit: Courtesy of Dead Rabbit

The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog is an unexpected gem in New York City's Financial District. The cocktail menu is organized by the four seasons, making the seemingly overwhelming choices a little bit easier to whittle down. Fun fact: Some scenes from the "Gangs of New York" was filmed at this bar. Try the Moby Dick: Remy Martin 1738 Cognac, Power John's Lane Irish Whiskey, Pale Cream sherry, fig, elderberry, lemon, orinoco bitters, vanilla, and vanilla soda.

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

1. Artesian, London

Credit: Courtesy of Artesian

This is the fourth year Artesian has topped the list, and for good reason. Located in the Langham Hotel, the drinks come with quite the presentation. The cocktails aren't cheap, but they're well-worth the price. Try the Camouflage, which is served in a giant, golden pineapple glass topped with smoking potpourri.

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Erika Owen

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 10 10. Black Pearl, Melbourne
2 of 10 9. Connaught Bar, London
3 of 10 8. Happiness Forgets, London
4 of 10 7. 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore
5 of 10 6. The Baxter Inn, Sydney
6 of 10 5. American Bar, London
7 of 10 4. Employees Only, New York City
8 of 10 3. Nightjar, London
9 of 10 2. The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, New York City
10 of 10 1. Artesian, London

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Travel + Leisure Sites
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

What to Drink at the World's Top 10 Bars
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.