Europe’s 50 Best Bars: A New Era Begins for the Continent’s Cocktail Culture
Source: 50 Best Bars
Europe has long been the cradle of cocktail innovation, but December 2025 marks a defining moment in the continent’s drinking culture: the official debut of Europe’s 50 Best Bars, a brand-new list and awards programme dedicated exclusively to celebrating the best bar experiences across Europe. For the first time, bartenders, creatives, drinks writers and cocktail lovers will see Europe’s cocktail scene recognised through a regional ranking curated by some of the industry’s most respected voices.
This new list, created by the team behind The World’s 50 Best Bars, reflects the growing momentum of Europe’s bar culture and its influence on global hospitality. After the successful launches of North America’s 50 Best Bars in 2022 and Asia’s 50 Best Bars prior to that, Europe is the next step in 50 Best’s expansion into becoming the definitive global authority for dining,drinking and hotel experiences. We are excited for this, and as we said to our colleagues in the industry: it was about time!
A Landmark Moment for European Hospitality
“Europe is home to some of the world’s most exceptional bars,” says Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Europe’s 50 Best Bars. “We are confident this new list will shine a light on both the iconic and the emerging destinations shaping the region’s future.”
Source: 50 Best Bars
For Sleight, this is not just a ranking; it is a celebration of creativity, technique, hospitality and the diversity of drinking cultures, from timeless martini temples in London and refined aperitivo bars in Milan to experimental hideaways in Berlin or intimate haunts in Athens and Lisbon.
A Celebration Beyond the List
Just like its global counterpart, Europe’s 50 Best Bars will be more than a ranking. The programme will unfold over several days of events, including the beloved Bartenders’ Feast, a gathering designed to honour the people who define European mixology. The celebrations will culminate in a grand awards ceremony featuring red carpet arrivals, a drinks reception, the live countdown and a series of special awards recognising outstanding individuals and establishments.
The bar community will also tune in from across the world, as the ceremony will be broadcast live on the 50 Best TV YouTube channel, inviting cocktail lovers everywhere to witness Europe’s inaugural best bar crowned.
A Trusted, Independent Voting Process
Transparency and credibility remain central to the 50 Best mission. The inaugural ranking is determined by the Europe’s 50 Best Bars Academy, a panel of 300 anonymous industry experts including bartenders, owners, educators, journalists and well-travelled cocktail connoisseurs.
Each voter casts their decisions based solely on their best bar experiences from the previous 18 months. There are no applications, no sponsor influence and no interference by the 50 Best team. The result is an independently curated barometer of excellence — a reflection of where Europe’s bar professionals truly love to drink.
Source: 50 Best Bars
The Best Bar in Europe: A New Coveted Title
Sponsored by Perrier, the title of The Best Bar in Europe will become one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, signalling the bar that embodies creativity, hospitality, technique and storytelling at the highest level. Elisa Gregori, Global CMO for Perrier, expresses the brand’s excitement: “Europe’s bar scene is a vibrant expression of culture and innovation. We are proud to support the celebration of this diversity.”
What This Means for Drinkers and Travellers
For consumers, Europe’s 50 Best Bars will become a trusted guide to unforgettable experiences, not only in classic bar capitals such as London, Barcelona, Paris or Copenhagen, but in emerging scenes too. The ranking will highlight trailblazers in cities not traditionally associated with cocktail culture, spotlighting destinations poised to become the next big thing. Whether it’s a martini crafted with Japanese precision in Stockholm, a natural-wine spritz in Vienna or a retro-futuristic menu in Prague, the new list promises to reflect the full breadth of European creativity.
A New Chapter for Europe’s Cocktail Identity
The launch of Europe’s 50 Best Bars marks a historic evolution. It acknowledges the continent’s influence on global hospitality while embracing the new wave of bartenders reshaping the craft with sustainability, local ingredients, cross-cultural technique and bold experimentation.
Source: 50 Best Bars
At Avesso, we see this moment as a profound celebration: Europe’s drinks culture, in all its innovation and nuance, finally receiving a spotlight dedicated entirely to its talents. The inaugural list of Europe’s 50 Best Bars will be revealed live in 2026, and we will be watching closely, glass in hand, ready to celebrate the bars redefining how Europe drinks, experiences and imagines the cocktail world.
