So how are the World’s 50 Best Bars selected? We find out behind the scenes secrets

On October 8, the world’s best mixologists and bar owners headed to Hong Kong for a special ceremony.

Every year, the hospitality industry awaits the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars. The list has been announced annually since 2009 and represents ‘the ultimate international guide to the world’s top bars and drinking destinations.’ Along with the World’s 50 Best Bars, the 50 Best brand also announces winners for hotels and restaurants, as well as regional lists for Asia, North Africa and Latin America. This October, Bar Leone in Hong Kong was declared the world’s best bar. The list pointed towards new trends, as an increasing number of Asian bars win awards. In an interview Emma Sleight , who heads content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, tells us more about these trends.

Emma Sleight, head of content for The World’s 50 Best Bars
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Who selects the World’s 50 Best Bars?

The 50 Best brand is based out of the United Kingdom. The annual list of the best bars is decided by the votes of The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy. While the names of the members are confidential, it comprises bartenders and consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists, and is a gender-balanced group representing all parts of the globe.

“There is no set criteria for what constitutes ‘best’ – that is up to each voter to decide,” Emma says. “As everyone’s tastes are different, so is everyone’s idea of what constitutes a great bar experience. Of course, the quality of drinks is going to be central, as is the service – but the style of both the surroundings, atmosphere and indeed the price point hold varying importance depending on the individual.”

Cocktails from L’Antiquario in Naples
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What are the trends in this year’s cocktail scene?

“There is a growing number of bars who are spotlighting highly local spirits and ingredients.” You can see this with bars such as Lady Bee in Lima (ranked No.13), where each drink and dish is crafted with native produce from Peru. Seoul’s Bar Cham and their sister bar, Cham in Season, offer cocktails based on Korean spirits.

“I was recently in Taipei and Taichung and was impressed with the originality in which the bars there approach their programming. I see this in Kathmandu too, with Barc.” The award-winning Brac uses local spirits like aila to great effect. “Elsewhere I think the African bar scene is becoming an exciting place of emerging innovation and talent – we were so delighted to be able to award Hero Bar in Nairobi with The Best Bar in Africa Award 2025.”

Another notable trend this year was that capital cities are no longer the only destinations for exceptional bar experiences, with a fifth of the entries coming from second cities. “In Europe, Barcelona boasts four bars on the list, while Milan and Florence also feature prominently. Guangzhou in China saw a brand-new entry with Hope & Sesame.” Some of the trending spirits we are seeing include mezcal, premium and flavoured tequilas, Baiju and gin.

Lair from New Delhi was part of the long list at number 96
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India on the map

In the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, five Indian bars have made the cut, with three on the long list. Released on July 15 in Macau, the list features New Delhi’s Lair among its top-10 bars. 

“There is no doubt that India’s bar scene is taking off and is rising higher in the ranks among Asia’s bar scene. I think what’s most exciting is seeing how the entire region is elevating its cocktail culture collectively, with each city contributing its own distinctive voice to Asia’s vibrant drinks landscape. One thing that stands out across the board is bars in India are completely unafraid to express their uniqueness, from ingredients to spirits and styles – rather than trying to emulate other cocktail capitols, the bars are carving our an ownable identity.”