World's best bars for 2026 revealed — Hong Kong's Bar Leone takes top spot

The annual ranking of the 50 Best Bars in the world has been revealed, and 18 are in Europe.

According to EuroNews, after unveiling positions 51-100 in September, the prestigious ranking body revealed that Hong Kong’s Bar Leone held on to the top spot for a second year running.

The results were announced at a ceremony in Milan on Wednesday, and two European bars, Moebius Milano in Milan and Line in Athens, featured in the top 10.

Europe was far and away the most represented continent in the ranking with its 18 spots. It also achieved a further 18 wins in the 51-100 extended list, meaning it takes up more than a third of the positions overall.

Italy had plenty to celebrate, with Moebius Milano taking second place and the top spot in Europe, while Italy’s other entry, Locale Firenze in Florence, was at number 33.

Paris has overtaken London as the most represented European city on the list for the first time, with four bars making the cut.

The Cambridge Public House is number 13, followed by Bar Nouveau at 15, newcomer De Vie at 23 and Danico at 26. That puts Paris level with Hong Kong and New York as the cities with the most bars in the global top 50.

London still has a strong showing, led by Connaught Bar at number eight. Satan’s Whiskers is 29, while new entry Waltz comes in at 32.

Athens also has three bars on the list. Line leads the way at number five, while The Bar in Front of the Bar climbed 28 places to 19, earning the Nikka Highest Climber Award. Barro Negro rounds out the city’s entries at 40.

Spain has three bars in total, with Barcelona’s Sips at 16 and Paradiso at 17, while Madrid’s Angelita makes its debut at 50. Paradiso also picked up the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award.

The top five are very varied, geographically and style-wise, and are all well worth adding to any bar lover’s bucket list.