2009 World's 50 Best Bars: Complete Rankings and Analysis

The legendary Milk & Honey London pioneered the modern speakeasy movement from its unmarked Soho location, where Sasha Petraske's exacting cocktail methodology and strict house rules created London's most exclusive drinking sanctuary. This members-only institution trained a generation of world-class bartenders while perfecting classic cocktails in an atmosphere of refined intimacy.

Sasha Petraske's legendary Milk & Honey NY sparked the global speakeasy renaissance in 1999, pioneering reservation-only service and bespoke cocktails without menus. This influential Lower East Side establishment, birthplace of the iconic Penicillin cocktail, continues defining craft cocktail culture through intimate atmosphere and uncompromising dedication to classic mixology techniques.

One of the most recognised bars in Europe through the early 2010s, Buddha Bar occupies a palatial space on Rue Boissy d'Anglas in Paris's 8th arrondissement. Its World's 50 Best Bars placements — including a third-place ranking in 2009 — reflect a period when the venue set the template for large-format, Asia-inflected cocktail culture. With over 5,700 Google reviews averaging 4 out of 5, it remains a reference point in the city's bar scene.

Once the most-awarded bar on the planet, PDT operates out of a phone booth inside a St. Marks Place hot dog shop, and that physical fact still defines the experience. Its run of consecutive World's 50 Best placements through 2016, including the number-one position in 2011, established the East Village phone-booth format as a reference point for the global cocktail bar conversation. A 4.3 Google rating across 2,313 reviews confirms that the concept continues to land.

Audrey Saunders' legendary Pegu Club New York City ignited America's cocktail renaissance from 2005-2020, training a generation of master bartenders while serving impeccably crafted classics and innovations in an intimate colonial-inspired setting above West Houston Street.

Bayswater Brasserie Sydney defined Australia's cocktail renaissance from the 1990s to 2010, where innovative mixology met European brasserie elegance in the heart of Kings Cross. This legendary venue trained generations of bartenders while setting the gold standard for sophisticated late-night dining and drinking experiences.

Bramble has occupied a basement on Edinburgh's Queen Street since 2006, accumulating a run of World's 50 Best Bars placements that few UK venues can match. The programme sits in the serious cocktail tier: technique-driven, spirit-forward, and built for repeat visitors who track what's in the glass rather than what's on the walls. It ranks #177 in the 2025 Top 500 Bars list, with peak recognition reaching #7 globally in 2009.

Mathew Bax's Der Raum revolutionized Melbourne cocktail culture through innovative design featuring suspended bottles on bungee cords and a minimalist program of ten rotating classic cocktails. This sophisticated Eurocentric bar operated until 2012, establishing benchmarks for luxury cocktail experiences that continue influencing Melbourne's drinking scene today.

Death & Co on East 6th Street helped define the modern American cocktail bar format when it opened in the East Village in 2006, and its award history — four consecutive years inside the World's 50 Best Bars top ten between 2009 and 2012 — marks it as one of the most consequential bars of its era. The 4.5-star Google rating across more than 2,000 reviews reflects a reputation that has outlasted the hype cycle.

Few bars in the Asia-Pacific region carry a decade-long presence in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings. Black Pearl on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy has held that ground continuously, peaking at #7 globally in 2013 and returning a 4.6 Google rating from over 700 reviews. Open nightly until 3am, it sits at the serious end of Melbourne's cocktail spectrum without the velvet-rope posturing that often accompanies that status.

One of Melbourne's most decorated cocktail bars, 1806 reached #12 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009 and #34 in 2010, placing it among the small tier of Australian venues to earn that kind of international recognition. Named for the year the cocktail was defined, it operates from Exhibition Street as a reference point for serious cocktail programming in a city that takes drinking seriously.

LAB London revolutionized Soho's cocktail scene from 1999-2016 as the legendary birthplace of the Porn Star Martini and training ground for industry legends. This pioneering mixology laboratory transformed London's bar culture through innovative cocktails, theatrical service, and boundary-pushing experimentation that continues to influence the city's luxury cocktail establishments today.

The Ivy is a multi-level entertainment complex on George Street in Sydney's CBD, occupying a full city block and operating across bars, restaurants, and a rooftop pool. It reached No. 14 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, signalling its place in the first wave of serious Australian bar culture. With over 4,000 Google reviews averaging 3.9, it remains one of Sydney's most-visited large-format hospitality venues.

Salvatore Calabrese's legendary 'liquid history' philosophy defined Salvatore at Playboy, where vintage spirits dating back centuries met Playboy Club glamour in London's most exclusive cocktail experience, featuring the world's most expensive cocktail and unparalleled mixological storytelling.

Wellington's most influential cocktail destination since 1963, Matterhorn seamlessly blends European sophistication with local creativity. This legendary venue features an innovative 42-strong cocktail menu, atmospheric design by Allistar Cox, and the iconic Falling Water cocktail that has achieved international recognition across New Zealand's luxury bar scene.

Little Branch has held its place in New York's serious cocktail conversation since appearing at number 18 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009. The West Village basement bar operates on a pre-Prohibition model, keeping the room dark, the music low, and the drinks precise. It earns a 4.4 Google rating across 873 reviews and remains a reference point for the city's classic-leaning bar scene.

The legendary Lonsdale in Notting Hill defined London's cocktail renaissance through pioneering mixology and exceptional hospitality. Though no longer operating, this influential bar trained a generation of industry leaders and established standards that continue to shape London's luxury cocktail scene today.

Disrepute transforms Soho's scandalous heritage into London's most exclusive members-only cocktail experience, where theatrical design meets narrative-driven mixology. This clandestine bar celebrates the neighborhood's notorious history through bespoke cocktails, rich interiors featuring green suede and gold accents, and discreet service that honors centuries of Soho secrets.

Le Lion Bar de Paris has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings continuously since 2009, making it one of the most consistently recognised cocktail programmes in Germany. Located on Rathausstraße in central Hamburg, it draws a mix of regulars and informed visitors who know that longevity in that list requires more than a strong opening year. A 4.6 rating across more than 1,600 Google reviews suggests the reputation holds in practice, not just on paper.

A Portobello Road fixture that reached No. 22 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, Trailer Happiness trades in tiki-adjacent cocktails and a deliberately low-ceilinged, basement-grade intimacy that feels closer to a crate-furnished Notting Hill bedsit than a polished cocktail bar. It holds a 4.2 Google rating from over 600 reviews and has anchored the neighbourhood's drinking culture for years.

Seamstress earned a place at #23 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, a credential that still frames its position within Melbourne's technically serious bar scene. Located on Lonsdale Street in the CBD, it occupies a multi-level heritage space where cocktail craft meets an Asian-influenced food program. For visitors covering Melbourne's bar circuit, it sits at the more established end of the spectrum.

Mojo Leeds earned a place on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, reaching number 24 globally at a time when that ranking carried real weight. Located on Merrion Street in the city centre, it operates until 5am daily and has anchored Leeds' late-night cocktail scene for years. A 4.3 Google rating across over 700 reviews signals consistent delivery long after the award cycle moved on.

Anchored inside Grosvenor House Dubai, Buddha Bar has been a fixture of Dubai Marina's after-dark scene since long before the neighbourhood fully matured. A 2009 World's 50 Best Bars ranking at number 25 gives the room its reference point in the global bar conversation, while a Google rating of 4.6 across more than 3,200 reviews reflects its sustained pull with residents and visitors alike.

Employees Only has held a place in the World's 50 Best Bars rankings every year since 2009, peaking at #4 globally in 2015. The West Village address on Hudson Street operates as one of New York's most consistently recognised cocktail programs, drawing on a European apéritif and spirits tradition that sits apart from the speakeasy-revival bars that followed in its wake. In 2025, it holds #18 in North America and #95 globally.

Match Bar revolutionized London's cocktail scene in 1997, pioneering accessible luxury mixology beyond exclusive hotel bars. Jonathan Downey's visionary venue featured innovative sunken bar design and world-class cocktails, democratizing quality drinking and inspiring a generation of London bartenders.

Zeta Bar earned back-to-back placements on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009 and 2010, reaching as high as number 18 globally — a signal of serious industry standing during cocktail culture's most competitive years. Located on level four of the Sydney Hilton on George Street, the bar occupies a distinctive position in Sydney's drinking scene: hotel-anchored but credentialed beyond its address.

Bowery Bar earned a place at #29 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, a credential that marked Brisbane's arrival in the international cocktail conversation. The bar's Google rating of 4.7 across nearly 400 reviews reflects a sustained local following that outlasted the initial recognition. For serious bar-goers visiting Brisbane, it remains a reference point in the city's drinking culture.

Few bars in Europe carry the kind of sustained award record that Dry Martini has accumulated on Carrer d'Aribau. Ranked inside the World's 50 Best Bars every year from 2009 to 2015, and returning to the Top 500 in 2025, it occupies a different tier from Barcelona's newer cocktail openings — a reference-point bar that the city's broader scene measures itself against.

Clover Club has held a place in the global cocktail conversation since 2008, with consistent World's 50 Best recognition and a 4.6 Google rating across more than a thousand reviews. Located on Smith Street in Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens, it operates at the intersection of pre-Prohibition technique and contemporary bar craft — a reference point for serious drinking in New York City.

Aqua New Delhi earned a place at number 32 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, a period when Connaught Place was consolidating its position as the capital's most serious address for cocktails. Set on Sansad Marg, the bar operates within one of Delhi's most historically weighted commercial districts, bringing craft-focused drinking to a neighbourhood better known for government buildings than for bartending ambition.

Tippling Club has held a place on the World's 50 Best Bars global list every year since 2011, making it one of the most consistently recognised cocktail bars in Asia. Located on Tanjong Pagar Road in Singapore's former warehouse district, the bar operates at the intersection of technical precision and theatrical presentation. A 4.6 Google rating across nearly 740 reviews reflects sustained performance over more than a decade of competition.

Road House in Covent Garden earned a place at #34 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, marking it as part of London's formative cocktail renaissance. Positioned steps from the Piazza, it sits in a neighbourhood better known for tourist foot traffic than serious bartending — which makes its recognition all the more pointed. A reference address for anyone charting the arc of London's bar culture.

Ku de Ta sits at the sharper end of Seminyak's beach bar spectrum, carrying a 2009 World's 50 Best Bars ranking that placed it among the top 35 bar programs globally at the time. The open-air setting on Jl. Kayu Aya draws a crowd that ranges from late-afternoon sundowner seekers to late-night regulars, with a drinks program that anchored Bali's early reputation for serious cocktail culture.

Tommy's Mexican Restaurant on Geary Boulevard has earned a place among the world's most recognized bars, appearing in the World's 50 Best Bars list across six editions from 2009 to 2018. The bar's reputation rests on a decades-long commitment to 100% agave tequila and mezcal, placing it firmly in the specialist tier of San Francisco's drinking culture. A 4.5 Google rating across 890 reviews reflects a loyal, well-informed crowd.

Award-winning Hugo's Sydney commands Manly Wharf with panoramic harbor views, where Italian-inspired sophistication meets handcrafted cocktail artistry. This iconic waterfront destination seamlessly transitions from sun-soaked afternoon aperitifs to vibrant evening celebrations, offering ferry access and over 15 years of hospitality excellence.

Boudoir at Dubai Marine Beach Resort reached World's 50 Best Bars No. 38 in 2009, placing it among the few Dubai venues that figured in global bar rankings during cocktail culture's formative decade. The setting along Jumeirah's coastline and a format built around late-night theatrical atmosphere distinguish it from the city's newer beach-club competitors. Google reviewers rate it 3.8 across 326 responses.

A Soho institution with documented cocktail credentials, Quo Vadis at 26-29 Dean Street earned three consecutive placements on the World's 50 Best Bars list between 2009 and 2011, peaking at number 39. The bar operates within one of London's most historically layered buildings, where the dining room and bar have served as a meeting point for Soho's creative and literary circles for decades. Lunch runs Tuesday through Friday, with Saturday evenings the week's late anchor.

Portobello Star is a Notting Hill gin bar on Portobello Road with a track record of serious recognition: ranked 27th on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2012 and 40th in 2009. The back bar leans heavily on gin, drawing a crowd that takes its spirits research as seriously as its market browsing. Google reviewers rate it 4.3 from 426 reviews.

On the first floor of a Spring Street building that has anchored Melbourne's late-night circuit for decades, Melbourne Supper Club occupies a specific position in the city's bar culture: the kind of place where the wine list runs long, the hours run longer, and the room rewards staying put. A World's 50 Best Bars entry in 2009 confirmed what regulars already knew about its standing in the Australian bar conversation.

Julian Schnabel's artistic vision and Ian Schrager's legendary hospitality converge at Rose Bar, Gramercy Park Hotel's exclusive cocktail sanctuary where New York's creative elite gather among contemporary masterpieces for premium craft cocktails and curated cultural experiences.

Planet Bar sits on Orange Street in Gardens, a neighbourhood bar that earned back-to-back World's 50 Best Bars recognition in 2009 and 2010. Its Google rating of 4 across 228 reviews reflects a consistent local following built over years. For Cape Town's after-work and late-night crowd, it remains a reference point on the city's bar circuit.

A second-floor venue on Swanston Street with a documented place in Melbourne bar history, The Toff ranked 44th on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009 — a period when the city was establishing its global reputation for serious cocktail culture. With a Google rating of 4.3 across nearly 700 reviews, it remains a consistent reference point in a city that has since produced several internationally recognised bars.

Asoka on Kloof Street earned back-to-back World's 50 Best Bars rankings in 2009 and 2012, placing it among the few Cape Town venues to reach that tier in the programme's early years. The bar sits in Gardens, one of the city's most concentrated after-dark strips, and carries a 4.3 Google rating across more than 2,500 reviews — a signal of sustained local relevance long after the awards cycle.

Neo Bar Dubai elevates the rooftop cocktail experience with panoramic city views, Mediterranean-inspired mixology, and sophisticated shisha service. This luxury destination seamlessly blends premium craft cocktails with Dubai's cosmopolitan energy, creating an unforgettable venue for discerning guests seeking elevated nightlife experiences.

Perched on the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab, Skyview Bar ranked among the World's 50 Best Bars three consecutive years — reaching No. 21 in 2011. The setting frames the Arabian Gulf and the Jumeirah coastline in ways that few hotel bars anywhere can match. Booking in advance is advisable, particularly for weekend evenings and peak travel seasons.

Double Happy on Lichfield Street earned a place at number 48 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, marking Christchurch as a serious address in the global cocktail conversation years before that recognition became expected from New Zealand cities. With a Google rating of 4.3 from nearly 1,900 reviews, it has sustained a local following well beyond its moment of international notice.

The Tailor Public House elevates Midtown Manhattan's bar scene through its signature "Made to Order" philosophy, where Dublin-born owner Nick's twenty years of hospitality expertise creates an Irish-American haven featuring specialty cocktails, craft beers, and personalized service steps from Madison Square Garden.

The Marchant, a CBD bar at 3 Hosking Place, earned a spot at number 50 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009, placing it among a cohort of Australian venues that helped redefine the country's serious cocktail culture in the late 2000s. Its entry into that ranking signals a program built around craft and intention rather than volume. Find it in the narrow laneways that give Sydney's financial district its after-dark character.