The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, will be unveiled at a live awards ceremony in Milan, Italy, in early October. This highly anticipated annual gathering of the international cocktail community returns to Europe, as 50 Best continues its mission to highlight innovative, dynamic, and inspiring cocktail establishments from across the globe.
The long-awaited unveiling of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and the coveted title of The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier, will be the grand finale of a spectacular celebration. This event will feature a red carpet arrival and a cocktail reception, drawing the global cocktail community together in Milan. The 18th edition of these prestigious awards will honor the most innovative bars and bartenders, recognizing their passion, dedication, and skill in pushing the boundaries of cocktail culture worldwide.
The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 will be compiled from the confidential votes of the Academy, a diverse group of over 800 industry professionals, journalists, and cocktail experts. These individuals have been meticulously selected by the 29 Academy Chairs for their exceptional knowledge and experience. To ensure the integrity and reliability of the process, the professional services firm Deloitte independently oversees and verifies the results. For more information about the voting methodology, please refer to the end of this press release.
Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Events for The World’s 50 Best Bars, asserts that Milan presents an ideal venue for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026. Milan is renowned for its rich cocktail tradition and vibrant bar scene. With a roster of some of the most esteemed and innovative professionals in the industry, this event serves as a platform to unite the international cocktail community. It aims to celebrate the creativity, excellence, and accomplishments of the world’s finest bars and bartenders, while simultaneously inspiring cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.
In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, 50 Best will not only reveal the venues that have secured rankings between No. 51 and No. 100 but also announce the winners of two special awards that honor exceptional achievements from a bar and a bartender over the past year:
- Michter’s Art of Hospitality. Members of the Academy are invited to nominate the venue where they have experienced the most outstanding display of hospitality during the voting period.
- Altos Bartenders’ Bartender. Bars featured on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 list are asked to nominate a fellow professional who, over the past 18 months, has made the most significant contributions to advancing the art and practice of mixology.
Earlier this year, bars from all over the world, irrespective of their presence on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, were invited to apply for two exclusive awards: the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and the Best Bar Design Award. The winners will be announced at the live awards ceremony in Milan. Last week, applications for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship were opened. This initiative aims to support the next generation of talent in the industry. The scholarship provides an innovative young bartender with the opportunity to broaden their horizons through two unique placements at Line in Athens and Tres Monos in Buenos Aires. The winner of the 50 Best Bars Scholarship will also be announced during the ceremony in Milan.
Cocktail aficionados from all corners of the globe are cordially invited to join the live stream of the unveiling of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 list, sponsored by Perrier. This event will be broadcasted exclusively on the 50 Best YouTube channel.
Instagram: @50BestBars
