Londoners are spoiled for options when it comes to great bars – and it seems we’re not the only ones who think so.
Last night at The World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony in Milan, the capital once again scooped up international recognition, with three of the capital’s drinking establishments named among the best in the world.
Mayfair’s Connaught Bar took eighth place, making it London’s highest-ranked, while Bethnal Green’s Satan’s Whiskers came in at number 29. Newcomer Waltz, a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar in Shoreditch, made its debut on the list at number 32.
It’s a mixed result for the city, which had four bars in the top 50 last year. Connaught Bar – which took the top spot in 2020 and 2021 – has dropped two places from sixth spot last year, while Satan’s Whiskers has fallen eight places from 21st. “It is an entirely unique reward to feature on The 50 Best list,” Satan’s Whiskers co-founder Kevin Armstrong tells Broadsheet. “It is special in its own right, but more so knowing that the voters are comprised of the world’s very best operators, bar owners, and beverage specialists. It is the ultimate platform of peer recognition, and hopefully being part of that, along with some other exceptional London based bars, means we’ll see continued interest in cocktail culture in London and around the UK.”
Meanwhile, two London bars – Old Street’s Tayer & Elementary, which ranked fifth in 2025, and Holborn’s Scarfes Bar, previously 31st – have dropped out of the top 50 altogether. The former’s result is likely due to a fire that forced the bar to close earlier this year, while the much-loved Scarfes is now 77 on the long list. Three Sheets’s Soho outpost secured 73rd place on the extended list.
There was lots to celebrate for Waltz, which opened in 2025 on Scrutton Street. Founded by bartender Gento Torigata, formerly of Kwant, the sleek, intimate experience is built around a striking wooden counter, where bartenders conjure meticulously executed cocktails in view of guests.
Taking its name from Bill Evans’s jazz album Waltz for Debby, the bar is inspired by Japanese drinking culture, with a menu divided into seasonal creations and perennial signatures. The seasonal list takes inspiration from Japan’s traditional calendar of 72 micro-seasons, while the signatures include a popular matcha Old Fashioned made with Japanese whisky, matcha and honey.
Torigata and his team’s win follows another earlier this year, when Waltz was named number 23 in the inaugural Europe’s 50 Best Bars list, and received its best new opening award.
Connaught Bar’s assistant director of mixology Giorgio Bargiani says being listed again is “thrilling”. “The longevity of The Connaught Bar seems just extraordinary when seen from an external perspective, but for us it’s really about consistently delivering the best guest experience possible daily. And while being with our guests at the bar feels special every day, on occasions like this the great community of people that surround us feels simply incredible.”
Hong Kong’s Italian-inspired neighbourhood spot Bar Leone was crowned the world’s best bar for the second year – though founder Lorenzo Antinori didn’t seem to be expecting it when he spoke to Broadsheet before the ceremony. “Winning last year was amazing,” he said. “For us, it didn't change much in terms of who we are, but, of course, it was a big responsibility. We had a small company and suddenly we had this huge spotlight on us. We’ve enjoyed the journey, and we are ready to pass the baton to another bar this year.”
“We’re so honoured and proud to represent a city like London on the global bar scene,” Agostino Perrone, Connaught Bar’s director of mixology tells Broadsheet. “What feels even more delightful is to receive so many warming messages, love and appreciation from our local and international guests.”
