What makes a great bar? Good drinks, of course, but it’s about so much more than that. The prospect should thrill – arriving, I want a sense of discovery or escape. And an alluring interior, but not necessarily in a fancy way. Flattering lighting, good music at the right level and elegant-but-comfy seats all help. I want to feel smarter, more relaxed, better-looking (and preferably all three).
The best places have a strong personality; you sense the owner’s guiding hand. (Even better if that owner is behind the stick, actually mixing the drinks.) Some of my favourite bars have service that’s actually quite rude. What matters, above all, is that it feels authentic.
Here are some of the bars that I have discovered, and loved, this year. There’s an emphasis on London, partly because I live there – but also because I sense the city’s bar scene might just be on the brink of a new golden age. Cities I’ll be looking to in 2026 include Mexico City and Hong Kong (now home to Bar Leone, number one in “The World’s 50 Best Bars”). Plenty on this page, though, never feature on “best of” lists – and are all the better for it.
Loos Bar
Loos Bar, Vienna
