The 50 Best Bars Unveils Extended 2026 List, Featuring 18 European Standouts

The 50 Best Bars has just unveiled its extended 51–100 list for 2026, and Europe emerges as the leading continent with 18 exceptional spots earning a place on the rollout.

Among those 18 selections, four bars lie in Italy, while Spain and the United Kingdom contribute three each, with Sweden and Greece each providing two. Norway, Türkiye, France, and Ireland round out the tally, each with a single entry.

The compilation draws from voting by an 800‑member academy composed of one‑third bartenders and owners, one‑third drink writers, and one‑third global cocktail specialists. Each voter nominates eight venues—five from their own locale and three internationally—provided they have visited the bar within the prior 18 months.

“The 51–100 list has become a vital component of The 50 Best Bars programme, enabling us to acknowledge a wider array of outstanding venues worldwide while inspiring cocktail enthusiasts to explore new destinations and experiences,” said Faye Huggett, director of community for The 50 Best Bars.

“It celebrates the diversity, innovation and energy that define today’s global bar scene, shines a spotlight on establishments that consistently deliver superior drinks and world‑class hospitality,” added the programme’s lead curator.

“From veteran industry favourites to emerging talents reshaping cocktail culture, the bars highlighted in this year’s ranking reflect the skill, passion and commitment that continually raise the bar,” the source further noted.

The complete 2026 hierarchy will be presented later this month in Milan, Italy, on 7 October.

New Entries on the Extended List

Many of the newly selected European venues already appeared on last year’s panel, or are returning entries.

Three fresh additions made their way into the limited: Bar Gabriel in Istanbul (68th), Naked in Athens (76th), and Bar 1661 in Dublin (98th).

Marking Türkiye’s first appearance on the roster, Bar Gabriel opened just a year earlier. Highlights include the kunefe‑sherbet pimmie, the oud with angostura bitters and rye whiskey, and the nazar featuring oregano, fennel and absinthe.

Bar 1661 also represents Ireland’s debut on the podium. Honoured as Ireland’s bar of the year, the venue offers tasting‑menu experiences that emphasize Irish whiskey across rotating seasonal small plates.

At Naked in Athens the menu centres on raw, untampered ingredients. Notable creations include the spicy mango paloma, the Nkd‑aiquiri banana, and the carob old fashioned.

All the Bars in Europe That Made the Extended List

• Tjoget, Stockholm (No.51)
• Boadas, Barcelona (No.52)
• Baba au Rum, Athens (No.55)
• Freni e Frizioni, Rome (No.62)
• Svanen, Oslo (No.65)
• Salmon Guru, Madrid (No.66)
• Bar Gabriel, Istanbul (No.68)
• Panda & Sons, Edinburgh (No.72)
• Three Sheets (Soho), London (No.73)
• Naked, Athens (No.76)
• Scarfes Bar, London (No.77)
• Röda Huset, Stockholm (No.83)
• Foco, Barcelona (No.90)
• Gucci Giardino, Florence (No.91)
• Drink Kong, Rome (No.92)
• Little Red Door, Paris (No.93)
• 1930, Milan (No.94)
• Bar 1661, Dublin (No.98)

Source link