The list of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 was revealed at a live awards ceremony in Hong Kong recently, where the annual event once again united the global bar community for its 17th edition in recognition of the outstanding achievements of their peers.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 features venues from 29 cities, with Hong Kong’s Bar Leone named the World’s Best Bar 2025 and the Best Bar in Asia 2025. The achievement marks the first time a bar in Asia has taken the No.1 position.
Bar Leone is the brainchild of renowned bartender Lorenzo Antinori, whose storied resume encompasses some of Europe and Asia’s most beloved hotel bars, including London’s American Bar at The Savoy and Dandelyan (now defunct).
A Roman by birth, Lorenzo’s goal was to strip away the complexity of modern mixology and return to simple, high-quality drinks, served with warmth and precision. As such, the cocktail menu comes in the form of a rotating Google Docs file, updated monthly and including the full recipe and method to ensure each drink is fully accessible to everyone.
Bar Leone opened in June 2023 and made its debut on the world stage the following year at No.1 on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and No.2 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, both unrivalled feats. Earlier this year, it was once again named The Best Bar in Asia at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025.
Co-founder of Barcelona’s Sips (No.3), Simone Caporale, was awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award.
Other regions
Of the 23 bars in Europe, London continues its reign as the region’s cocktail capital with four bars: Tayēr+ Elementary (No.5), Connaught Bar (No.6), Satan’s Whiskers (No.21) and Scarfes Bar (No.31). They are joined by Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons (No.34).
The title of the Best Bar in Europe was retained for the third time by Barcelona’s Sips (No.3) as co-founder Simone Caporale was awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award. Paradiso in Barcelona is No.4 with Madrid’s Salmon Guru at No.37.
For the first time, bars from Eastern Europe have been ranked in the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars, with new entries Mirror Bar in Bratislava (No.25) and Nouvelle Vague in Tirana (No.28).
In Scandinavia, Oslo’s Himkok (No.14) is joined by another new entry, Svanen (No.32), with Röda Huset in Stockholm (No.35).
The Best Bar in Africa and the Best Bar in the Middle East were named for the first time, where an Australian venue won the Best Bar Design Award. Mimi Kakushi in Dubai (No.36) is named the Best Bar in the Middle East, while Nairobi’s Hero Bar has been crowned the Best Bar in Africa (No.69).
