Bar Leone in Hong Kong was named the world’s best bar for the second straight year as The 50 Best Bars 2026 list was revealed Wednesday night in Milan. Co-founded by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, the bar built its reputation on “Cocktail Popolari,” or cocktails for the people: sharp classics, a neighborhood feel, football memorabilia on the walls and a mortadella sandwich on the menu. Milan’s Moebius Milano ranked No. 2 and Cartagena’s Alquímico No. 3, according to the organizers’ announcement.
New York tied Paris and Hong Kong for the most bars on the list with four, led by newcomer Schmuck at No. 11, which also took Best New Opening, plus Sip & Guzzle at No. 14, Martiny’s at No. 46 and Bar Snack at No. 49. Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, at No. 6, was named the best bar in North America. And in a first, Accra’s Front/Back was crowned the best bar in Africa, marking the Ghanaian capital’s debut in the rankings, which are voted on by more than 800 drinks experts worldwide.