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The Panel

Bartender Magazine’s

AnnualWorld’s Top20 Bars

artender

magazine’s inaugural World’s Top 20 Bars kicked up a bit of astorm last year in terms of reader response. What exactly does it take for abar to be considered amongst the world’s best? Who really belongs in thelist? We’ve decided that it comes down to personal preferences and tastes. Whatmore can we ask our judges to give us? Sticking to this philosophy,

Bartender

magazine has set no criteria for judges’ choices.We’ve done our best to steer away from bar owners this year in our extendedpanel of brand ambassadors, magazine editors, drinks authors, consultants andother globetrotting luminaries. Those on the panel that do have a financial interestin a bar have been chosen for their official ‘ambassadorship’ roles and were notallowed to vote for their own venues.While you will see a few familiar names amongst our Top 20, there are bound tobe a few surprises and upsets as we count down to the World’s Best Bar! Finally,a big thank you to all of our superstar judges for their contributions. It is with greatpleasure that we now bring you their World’s Top 20 Bars.

Der Raum, Melbourne

438 Church Street, Richmond,Melbourne, Australia+61 3 9428 0055

Pegu Club, New York

77 W Houston Street, New York, USA +1 212 473 7348

Dry Martini Bar, Barcelona

C/ Aribau 162, Barcelona,Spain +34 932 175 080

LAB, London

12 Old Compton Street, Soho,London, England+44 20 7437 7820

honourable mentions

thefllwn(nnpaculade)alffanacbaaundhewldhadeeveaplu.sllefujude’neenchceweeed,fpaceean.

Bourbon and Branch, SanFrancisco

501 Jones Street, SanFrancisco, USA +1 415 346 1735

Colony Room, London

41 Dean Street, London, England+44 20 7437 9179

Widder Bar, Zürich

Rennweg 7, Zürich, Switzerland+41 44 224 24 11

Hussong’s Cantina , Ensenada

Avenue Ruiz 113, Zona Centro,Ensenada, Baja California,Mexico (unlisted)

Merchant Hotel Bar, Belfast

35-39 Waring Street, Belfast,Northern Ireland+44 28 9023 4888

Hemmesphere, Sydney

Level 4, 252 George Street,Sydney, Australia+61 2 9240 3040

The Lonsdale, London

48 Lonsdale Road, London,England +44 20 7727 4080

The American Bar @ TheSavoy, London

The Savoy Hotel, The Strand,London, England+44 20 7836 4343

Mahiki, London

5-7 Dover Street, London,England +44 20 7493 9529

The Matterhorn, Wellington

106 Cuba Street, Wellington,New Zealand+64 4 384 3359

Black Pearl, Melbourne

304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy,Melbourne, Australia+61 3 9417 0455

Pinchitos, London

32 Featherstone Street,Shoreditch, London, England+61 20 7490 0121

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17.MontgomeryPlace, London

31 Kensington Park Road, London, England+44 20 7792 3921

A newcomer to the Top 20, this sophisticated cocktaillounge steers away from outlandish cocktail creations totake its clientele back to the ‘golden age’ of cocktails. Aswe all know, however, service is key and MontgomeryPlace has made the Top 20 because it delivers. “I’venever had a bad cocktail there. Just the way you wanta cocktail bar to be: personal, ‘gemuetlich’ (congenial),neighbourhood style,” comments one judge. Another says the staff are “one of the mostcommitted and talented bartender teamsin the world.”

20.MelbourneSupper Club, Melbourne

Upstairs, 161 Spring Street, Melbourne, AustraliaPhone: +61 3 9654 6300

Melbourne’s iconic late night wine room made lastyear’s Top 20 and it’s a pleasure to see it back again. It’sone of the city’s must-see venues with its comfychesterfields, epic wine list and legendary toastedsandwiches. “I have seen groups here of all varieties”comments one judge, “obnoxious brokers, timidgeriatrics post-theatre, wobbly post-clubmuppets… yet the staff treat it all as itcomes, with a smile.” The essence of Melbourne.

19.Bramble, Edinburgh

16a Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland+44 131 226 6343

Scotland, apart from Scotch, haggis and miserableweather now has something else to boast. Bramble has thehonour of being the first Scottish bar in

Bartender

magazine’s Top 20. This relaxed Prohibition-styled cocktail bar isrepresentative of a great bartending scene in Scotland. One judge says it has “everything I love about a bar; a chilled,friendly crowd, great service, and great drinks.” “From thefirst school night outing where I popped in for one androlled out, hammered, legless and happy,” addsanother judge, “this has been the true north onmy alcoholic compass. Cracking tunes andthat ‘bartenders bar’ vibe – oh, to besitting there now…”

18.Trailer Happiness, London

177 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, England+44 20 7727 2700

With top notch service, skilled bartenders, a great rumcollection, a mid-20

Century bachelor pad feel and a wellthought out music selection, this is no ordinary Tiki bar. Fora second year ‘Trailer has made the Top 20. One judgecredits the bar with the resurrection of Tiki culture in theUK. It has good roots – the bar was opened by JonathanDowney (

machBagup

and

mlk&Hne

London) and put together by Angus Winchesterand Dale DeGroff. “It’s just so good!” exclaimsone judge. “Superbly crafted drinks andservice that makes you feel you’rethe ‘blingest’ in the room.”

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16.Star Bar Ginza,Tokyo

1-5-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan+81 3 3535 8005

There has been much talk about the skill of Japanesebartenders, who have “elevated classic mixology to an artform” according to one judge. One judge explains that StarBar “describes in itself the essence of Japanese-stylebartending”. Another suggests the Japanese bartendingtradition reaches its “formal perfection” here. Judgesdescribe Star Bar as a smoky, dim den, lined withrare Scotches and Bourbons. Extraordinarytraining means the service is always formaland respectful, while entertaining. “Thecocktails are superb” enthusesone judge.

13.TheExperimental CocktailClub, Paris

37 Rue Saint Sauveur, Paris, France

The Experimental Cocktail Club in many ways is still in itsinfancy at a year old, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t at thetop of its game. “With an amazing atmosphere, this trulyhidden gem has everything going for it,” one judge says.“Drinks are good and delivered in an impeccablemanner.” Another judge praises the team as; “utterlydevoted to their trade and forever in search of theperfect tipple... they are currently touring theglobe seeking new locations forexpansion”. Watch this space...

14.Tommy’sMexican Restaurant &World’s Best Tequila Bar, SanFrancisco

5929 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, USA+1 415 387 4747

Julio Bermejo’s bar is no stranger to fame. Opened by Julio’sparents in 1965, Tommy’s has seen over 40 years of hard work toget where it is today – the world’s premier Tequila venue. This barserves only the finest 100 per cent agave Tequilas. Judges laudthe place and in particular its host: “The most impressiveselection of quality Tequila and the freshest Margaritas youwill ever experience. Make sure you go when Julio Bermejois working,” says one. “It is Julio Bermejo that makesthis place world class. His giant heart and hisselection of Tequilas make this without rival,”adds another.

15.Harry’s NewYork Bar, Paris

5 Rue Daunou, Paris, France +33 1 42 61 71 14

Established in 1911, this is the oldest bar to make our Top 20. Few bars can lay claim to have been responsiblefor such great classics as the Sidecar, Bloody Mary, WhiteLady and Blue Lagoon. Harry’s backs up its claims in the

Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails

, first published in 1919and found in the hands of bartenders worldwide. Fewbars have been as celebrated and loved by musicians,writers and artists as Harry’s. Famous regulars haveincluded the likes of Ernest Hemingway, ScottFitzgerald and George Gershwin. To top it alloff, Harry’s is 97 years old and still goingstrong!

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