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In the lead-up to the star-studded reveal of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, the organisers lifted the curtain a little earlier this year and revealed the bars that rank 51 through 100. It’s a crucial move that draws attention to those nearly at the cusp of greatness and underscores just how razor-thin the margins can be in the global cocktail world.

With only two weeks remaining until the main event in Hong Kong on 8 October, the extended list emerges much like a curtain raiser: full of promise, full of intrigue, and full of names that, for many, will be discoveries. This is the ninth time the 51-100 list has been published, and it carries all the drama of a soap opera’s penultimate act.

1. The Method Behind the Rankings – No Smoke and Mirrors

The World’s 50 Best Bars leverages a voting panel of over 800 independent experts to rival the Oscars for bars. This group comprises bartenders, educators, cocktail authorities and drinks writers, each with skin in the game and taste buds to spare. The 51–100 list is not a consolation prize; it’s a recognition that the battle to make the top 50 is fought across continents and perched on acceptable margins.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, captures the spirit with modest pride:

“The extended 51-100 list is another opportunity to celebrate the passion, creativity and world-class hospitality that define the very best in the business … this ninth edition does not disappoint. From brand new destinations and emerging markets to beloved favourites, the extended ranking shines a light on even more of the world’s finest bars.”

Her words ring with conviction and deserve to. The 51-100 list underscores that excellence is not only for a handful of elite venues but for a broader sphere of bar artisanship.

2. A Global Spread: 34 Cities, 16 Newcomers

The 51–100 list spans an impressive 34 cities worldwide, a testament to how the bar scene has proliferated far beyond the traditional capitals of mixology. Among these are 16 new entries from Bangkok, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Florence, London, Medellín, New Delhi and other emerging hubs. In short, the map of cocktail excellence is expanding.

Some standouts:

  • Mamba Negra and Bar Carmen, both from Medellín, are the first entries from that city in history.

  • Vender in Taichung becomes the city’s inaugural representative on this list.

  • London adds new life with Three Sheets Soho stepping in.

  • Australia gets a nod too – Byrdi of Melbourne sits at No. 91.

3. America’s Hold Steady – USA Leads the Charge

U.S. bars dominate the 51–100 bracket among the Americas for the third year running. Of the 20 entries from North and South America, a substantial eight are from the U.S., spread across five major cities:

  • New York claims four (including newcomer Schmuck at No. 59).

  • Attaboy jumps 12 spots to No. 72.

  • Martiny checks in at 75, and employees only check in at 95.

  • True Laurel in San Francisco and Mírate in Los Angeles debut at 64 and 93, respectively.

  • Chicago celebrates the return of Kumiko at 97.

  • In Miami, Café La Trova lands at 82.

Mexico follows with five entries: Licorería Limantour (No.52), Bar Mauro (54), Baltra Bar (78), El Gallo Altanero in Guadalajara (71) and Arca in Tulum (77). Over in Canada, Bar Pompette in Toronto leaps 15 places to No. 55. Latin America’s fresh face is Exímia (São Paulo) at No. 61; Victor Audio Bar in Buenos Aires debuts at 87, complementing Florería Atlántico’s steady presence at 90.

4. Europe’s Resurgence: Spain & Italy in the Limelight

Europe leads all regions in sheer numbers, 15 bars in total, but Spain and Italy shine particularly bright, each contributing four venues.

  • Madrid’s Angelita tops the European list at No. 51.

  • Barcelona returns Dr Stravinsky (83) and Boadas (85), and introduces Foco (89).

  • In Italy: Rome’s Freni e Frizioni (58) and Jerry Thomas Speakeasy (98); L’Antiquario (Naples, 63); and Gucci Giardino (Florence, 99).

London exerts influence with three: A Bar with Shapes For a Name (73), Kwãnt Mayfair (79) and newcomer Three Sheets Soho (80). Other European gems: Wax On (Berlin, 57), Barro Negro (Athens, 62), Bird (Copenhagen, 66), and Tjoget (Stockholm, 76) returning after an absence.

5. Asia’s Bar Landscape: Hong Kong Reigns Again

Asia pushes the envelope. For the first time since 2019, Hong Kong leads in terms of the number of bars from this region, with three in 51–100: Argo (56), newcomer Gokan (70), and The Savory Project (86).

Japan and Thailand each offer two: in Tokyo, The SG Club (65) and Bar Trench (94, returning). Bangkok debuts Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (88) and Opium (92). Elsewhere: Bar Cham in Seoul (53), Smoke & Bitters in Hiriketiya (Sri Lanka) rises 19 places to 67, Native (Singapore) lands 84, and Lair (New Delhi) debuts at 96. Notably, Vender in Taichung (No. 74) becomes that city’s first entry.

Two other names make their mark: Hero Bar in Nairobi (69) and LPM Dubai, which surges 16 places to 60. On Australian soil, Byrdi in Melbourne represents Australasia’s presence.

6. Patterns, Surprises & What to Watch

This year’s 51–100 list reveals a few narratives you can’t ignore:

  • Emergence of new markets: Medellín, Taichung, and New Delhi were not on the cocktail world’s radar a decade ago. Now they’re staking claims.

  • U.S. bounce-back: after losing ground in some recent years, American bars show resilience and depth.

  • Europe won’t be outdone: Spain and Italy hold their ground, and London continues to breed fresh talent.

  • Asia’s push: Hong Kong reclaims leadership status in Asia, and the region remains intensely competitive.

  • Australia in the mix: Byrdi’s inclusion, even at No. 91, signals that Aussie bar culture still has skin in this game.

But the greatest intrigue lies in what didn’t make this list. Who just missed out? Which bars barely lost by a vote or two? Those stories — of heartbreak, near-misses, perseverance — are ones I’d kill to tell. And rest assured, come 8 October, I’ll be watching the main 50 as though the fate of civilisation hangs on it (or at least, the pride of mixologists).

7. The Road to the Big Night

All of this is a prelude. The true drama comes on 8 October 2025, when the full Top 50 will be announced in Hong Kong before a global audience, streamed on 50 Best TV via YouTube. The bars from 51 to 100 will watch and hope that next year, they can push into the elite circle.

As Sleight says, the extended list is “another opportunity to celebrate the passion, creativity and world-class hospitality that define the very best in the business.” It’s a tagline, yes, but also a creed.

In the end, these rankings are more than numbers. They chronicle the evolution of cocktails, hospitality, and human connection over a glass. They tell us where the bold are rising, where tradition still holds sway, and where new narratives are being written in spirit, in glass, in sweat and late nights. And as this list reminds us, excellence is never settled; it’s always contestable, constantly evolving.

Mark your calendars. The stage is set.

By Kanda Limw

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