The world's 50 best bars for 2016 have been announced in London. At number 20 is Maison Premiere in New York City. Click through the gallery to see the winners.
20. Maison Premiere, New York —
The world's 50 best bars for 2016 have been announced in London. At number 20 is Maison Premiere in New York City. Click through the gallery to see the winners.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 19 is London's Nightjar. Signature cocktails include Mary Quite Contrary, a savory concoction mixed with Absolut Elyx vodka, herbs, cheese and caper foam.
19. Nightjar, London —
At number 19 is London's Nightjar. Signature cocktails include Mary Quite Contrary, a savory concoction mixed with Absolut Elyx vodka, herbs, cheese and caper foam.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 18, Amsterdam's Tales & Spirits. Specialties of the house include Fallen Lady. A nod to the Dutch capital's famous red light district, it's a "sexy combination" that includes Ketel One vodka, Mozart dark chocolate liqueur and raspberry syrup.
18. Tales & Spirits, Amsterdam —
At number 18, Amsterdam's Tales & Spirits. Specialties of the house include Fallen Lady. A nod to the Dutch capital's famous red light district, it's a "sexy combination" that includes Ketel One vodka, Mozart dark chocolate liqueur and raspberry syrup.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Paris's Candelaria is number 17 on the list. This Mexican-style taqueria specializes in agave-based drinks.
17. Candelaria, Paris —
Paris's Candelaria is number 17 on the list. This Mexican-style taqueria specializes in agave-based drinks.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Miami's Broken Shaker, at 16 on the list, describes itself as a "backyard oasis." Its menu includes monthly and seasonal cocktails such as a Lychee Peachy and a Sake Spritzer.
16. The Broken Shaker, Miami —
Miami's Broken Shaker, at 16 on the list, describes itself as a "backyard oasis." Its menu includes monthly and seasonal cocktails such as a Lychee Peachy and a Sake Spritzer.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Shanghai's Speak Low, at number 15, is a Japanese-style speakeasy hidden behind a sliding bookshelf at the back of a store in the city's French Concession.
15. Speak Low, Shanghai —
Shanghai's Speak Low, at number 15, is a Japanese-style speakeasy hidden behind a sliding bookshelf at the back of a store in the city's French Concession.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 14 is one of two Singapore establishments to make the top 20 list. 28 Hongkong Street is renowned, apparently, for its efforts to actively avoid publicity.
14. 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore —
At number 14 is one of two Singapore establishments to make the top 20 list. 28 Hongkong Street is renowned, apparently, for its efforts to actively avoid publicity.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 13, Mexico City's Licoreria Limantor was last year described by the 50 Best Bars website as a "trendy den of delectable drinks."
13. Licoreria Limantor, Mexico City —
At number 13, Mexico City's Licoreria Limantor was last year described by the 50 Best Bars website as a "trendy den of delectable drinks."
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Down from its number 7 place of last year, The Baxter Inn now sits at number 12. The Sydney bar is known for its impressive wall of whisky and bartenders who have a handle on the classics.
12. The Baxter Inn, Sydney —
Down from its number 7 place of last year, The Baxter Inn now sits at number 12. The Sydney bar is known for its impressive wall of whisky and bartenders who have a handle on the classics.
World's 50 best bar
At number 11 is Singapore's Manhattan Bar, a plush venue within the city's Regent Hotel. Its cocktail menu includes, inevitably, a version of the classic Manhattan based around Michter's Single Barrel Rye and house-made cherry brandy.
11. Manhattan Bar, Singapore —
At number 11 is Singapore's Manhattan Bar, a plush venue within the city's Regent Hotel. Its cocktail menu includes, inevitably, a version of the classic Manhattan based around Michter's Single Barrel Rye and house-made cherry brandy.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
A subterranean venue in London's ultra-hip Hoxton Square, Happiness Forgets is at number 10 on the list. It bills itself as "high end cocktails" in a "low rent basement."
10. Happiness Forgets, London —
A subterranean venue in London's ultra-hip Hoxton Square, Happiness Forgets is at number 10 on the list. It bills itself as "high end cocktails" in a "low rent basement."
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 9, the endearingly named Clumsies takes its name from the "generous serving of favorite mistakes" that make up its menu mission statement.
9. The Clumsies, Athens —
At number 9, the endearingly named Clumsies takes its name from the "generous serving of favorite mistakes" that make up its menu mission statement.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 8, New York's NoMad Bar aims to emulate a classic NYC tavern. It's one of seven New York bars to make the list.
8. The NoMad Bar, New York City —
At number 8, New York's NoMad Bar aims to emulate a classic NYC tavern. It's one of seven New York bars to make the list.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Another New Yorker, Employees Only, takes the number 7 slot. Signatures include the Provencal -- lavender-infused Plymouth Gin mixed with herbs.
7. Employees Only, New York City —
Another New Yorker, Employees Only, takes the number 7 slot. Signatures include the Provencal -- lavender-infused Plymouth Gin mixed with herbs.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 6, London's The Gibson sits on the city's increasingly trendy Old Street. The bar takes its name from its signature drink, a gin martini that includes a pickled onion rather than an olive.
6. The Gibson —
At number 6, London's The Gibson sits on the city's increasingly trendy Old Street. The bar takes its name from its signature drink, a gin martini that includes a pickled onion rather than an olive.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Attaboy, at number 5, is described by the 50 Best Bars website as a New York City "institution."
5. Attaboy, New York City —
Attaboy, at number 5, is described by the 50 Best Bars website as a New York City "institution."
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
At number 4, the Connaught Bar serves visitors to the upscale hotel of the same name in London's wealthy Mayfair district.
4. Connaught Bar, London —
At number 4, the Connaught Bar serves visitors to the upscale hotel of the same name in London's wealthy Mayfair district.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Located in the prosaically named Sea Containers House on London's South Bank, the Dandelyan makes number 3 on the list. Cocktails include Pinnacle Point Fizz, a blend of Olemco Blanco Tequila, blue corn sloe, ginger bitters, sour pineapple and soda.
3. Dandelyan, London —
Located in the prosaically named Sea Containers House on London's South Bank, the Dandelyan makes number 3 on the list. Cocktails include Pinnacle Point Fizz, a blend of Olemco Blanco Tequila, blue corn sloe, ginger bitters, sour pineapple and soda.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
Though it no longer holds the top spot, London can console itself with a number 2 position for its American Bar, a classic venue in the city's Savoy Hotel.
2. American Bar, London —
Though it no longer holds the top spot, London can console itself with a number 2 position for its American Bar, a classic venue in the city's Savoy Hotel.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
And the best bar in the world is... New York's Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog -- an apparently unbeatable mix of informal taproom and "sumptuous parlor" serving "historically accurate" cocktails.
1. Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, New York City —
And the best bar in the world is... New York's Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog -- an apparently unbeatable mix of informal taproom and "sumptuous parlor" serving "historically accurate" cocktails.
Courtesy World's 50 Best Bars
World's 50 best bars

Story highlights

Annual world's 50 best bar awards announced at ceremony in London

2016 top 50 winners include bars from 27 cities in 20 countries

CNN  — 

Drinks in London could be mixed with freshly poured tears this Friday after the city was stripped of its status as the cocktail capital of the world.

Ending four years of dominance by London’s Artesian, New York City’s Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog was crowned as the world’s best bar at an awards ceremony in London.

“It feels like training to win the Olympic gold, and you win,” says Sean Muldoon, co-owner of Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog.

“We take everything we do seriously and we strive to do the best that we can…we’ve tried repeatedly to win this award, but it’s good to finally win.”

The Manhattan-based bar has closely trailed Artesian for years, having placed second in 2014 and 2015.

This year, the Artesian didn’t even break into the top 50, compiled by Drinks International magazine, making way for Dead Rabbit to take first place.

What gives on Artesian’s fall from grace?

“This time last year, the two head bartenders that were very influential at [Artesian] created the concept, the menu, the ethos, the philosophy…they quit that night after winning for the fourth time, and they were followed out the bar by another nine bartenders, so the world’s best bar didn’t have a bar team,” says Hamish Smith, World’s 50 Best Bars editor.

“In this industry, it’s about the people, it’s not about the four walls…if you want to be in the world’s 50 best bars, then you have to run a tight ship, and you have to have everything under complete control.”

London and New York have been fierce rivals for cocktail bar domination, often being the only two cities listed in the top five each year.

The 2016 top 50 winners include bars from 27 cities in 20 countries, and were voted in by 450 of the global drink industry’s elite.

The world’s best restaurant is …

European dominance

London's Artesian Bar has slipped from the top spot to outside the top 50.
London's Artesian Bar has slipped from the top spot to outside the top 50.
Courtesy Artesian

Though London’s no longer the reigning cocktail king, it still placed nine bars in the top 50 list, more than any other city. These include the Connaught Bar, Dandelyan and Happiness Forgets, all of which are included in the top 10.

Europe continues to dominate the prestigious list with 11 countries representing the continent, comprising roughly half of the top 50 winners.

Drinking dens from the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Sweden, Italy and Spain are honored this year.

The Gibson, based in London, is the world’s rookie bar of the year, debuting on the list at sixth place.

The United States is well represented with 14 bars shared between Miami, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

New world champion Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog is joined by seven other New York City bars that made the cut, including top 10 entries Attaboy, Employees Only and NoMad Bar.

Asia’s bar scene profile continues to rise with seven winners on the list, up from last year’s five.

Singapore’s Manhattan Bar and 28 Hong Kong Street took top honors for the region, clocking in at 11th and 14th place, respectively. Other showings were from Tokyo and Shanghai as well as Hong Kong, which has two winners.

Australia, meanwhile, has three bars included – all based in Melbourne and Sydney.

Buenos Aires-based Floreria Atlantico was the lone awardee for South America as the world’s 49th best bar.

Here’s the full list of the 2016 world’s 50 best bars. For more details on the top 20, check out the gallery above.

World’s 50 best bars

1. The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, New York

2. American Bar, London

3. Dandelyan, London

4. Connaught Bar, London

5. Attaboy, New York

6. The Gibson, London

7. Employees Only, New York

8. NoMad Bar, New York

9. The Clumsies, Athens

10. Happiness Forgets, London

11. Manhattan, Singapore

12. The Baxter Inn, Sydney

13. Licoreria Limantour, Mexico City

14. 28 Hongkong Street, Singapore

15. Speak Low, Shanghai

16. The Broken Shaker, Miami

17. Candelaria, Paris

18. Tales & Spirits, Amsterdam

19. Nightjar, London

20. Maison Premiere, New York

21. Operation Dagger, Singapore

22. Black Pearl, Melbourne

23. High Five, Tokyo

24. Little Red Door, Paris

25. Linje Tio, Stockholm

26. Central Station, Beirut

27. Lobster Bar, Hong Kong

28. Mace, New York

29. Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco

30. Bar Termini, London

31. La Factoria, Old San Juan

32. Oriole, London

33. The Jerry Thomas Project, Rome

34. Dante, New York

35. Trick Dog, San Francisco

36. ABV, San Francisco

37. The Walker Inn, Los Angeles

38. Nottingham Forest, Milan

39. Aviary, Chicago

40. Baba au Rum, Athens

41. Quinary, Hong Kong

42. Himkok, Oslo

43. Lost & Found, Nicosia

44. Ruby, Copenhagen

45. PDT, New York

46. Bulletin Place, Sydney

47. Bramble, Edinburgh

48. Callooh Callay, London

49. Floreria Atlantico, Buenos Aires

50. Buck & Breck, Berlin

Travis Levius is a globetrotting writer, editor and photographer for the likes of BBC Travel, Business Insider and The Daily Meal. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his travel/inspiration blog MisterLevius.com.