London is crowned cocktail capital in World's 50 Best Bars 2013 list

London's Artesian bar defends its No.1 spot in Drinks International's definitive list of the world's best bars and our capital knocks New York out of the park and continues to dominate with four entries in the top 10
Artesian Bar
Kate Lough11 October 2013

#1 Artesian Bar at the Langham

London’s very own Artesian retains the World’s Best Bar crown for the second year running, continuing our reign as the capital of cocktails. It wins the award for “effortlessly blending modern innovation with classic reverence” and is renowned all over the globe for its “surprising presentation and award-winning team, led by cocktail supremo Alex Kratena”. Their standout innovative cocktails include the Super Panda: a concoction served over a single ice ball in tumbler, positioned on top of an inflated panda-head-lantern filled with a tangerine aroma.

1c Portland Place Regent St, W1B 1JA, artesian-bar.co.uk

#2 Nightjar

Old Street speakeasy knocks New York’s PDT off the podium to take second place. It’s all about old-fashioned appreciation of libations here – the list is divided into pre-Prohibition, Prohibition and post-war drinks – think rare and revived numbers such as Switchels and Boxcars. Live jazz performances might make getting a reservation that bit trickier.

129 City Rd, EC1V 1JB, barnightjar.com

#4 Connaught Bar

Decadent, stylish, but ultimately cosy and welcoming, The Connaught Bar stays in fourth place for 2013. Embracing the 21st century bar scene without compromising its traditional character, a drink at this 1920s style hotel bar is a special occasion indeed. Expect charming staff (service is exemplary here), a lengthy cocktail list and some rather lofty prices. But here, you get what you pay for: quality and class.

16 Carlos Place Mayfair, W1K 2AL, the-connaught.co.uk

#6 Happiness Forgets

A new entry to the 50 best list last year, this Hoxton Square basement bar leapfrogs from number 12 to six for 2013. Open for just three years, Happiness Forgets has won the acclaim of Londoners for its no-fuss approach to great drinks – you won’t find glamour here, just a real bar where the knowledgeable bartenders make proper cocktails for the discerning drinker. Owner Alastair Burgess cut his teeth at Milk & Honey and Quo Vadis so the high standard comes as no surprise.

8-9 Hoxton Square London N1 6NU, happinessforgets.com

World’s 50 Best Bars 2013: the full list

1 ARTESIAN, LONDON

2 NIGHTJAR, LONDON

3 HIGH FIVE, TOKYO

4 CONNAUGHT BAR, LONDON

5 THE DEAD RABBIT GROCERY & GROG, NEW YORK

6 HAPPINESS FORGETS, LONDON

7 BLACK PEARL, MELBOURNE

8 THE BAXTER INN, SYDNEY

9 CANDELARIA, PARIS

10 28 HONG KONG STREET, SINGAPORE

11 CALLOOH CALLAY, LONDON

12 EMPLOYEES ONLY, NEW YORK

13 PDT, NEW YORK

14 DRY MARTINI, BARCELONA

15 DOOR 74, AMSTERDAM

16 LE LION, HAMBURG

17 BUCK & BREAK, BERLIN

18 THE PARLOUR, FRANKFURT

19 THE JERRY THOMAS PROJECT, ROME

20 AMERICAN BAR AT THE SAVOY, LONDON

21 DEATH & CO, NEW YORK

22 RUBY, COPENHAGEN

23 SCHUMANN’S, MUNICH

24 EVERLEIGH BAR, MELBOURNE

25 EAU DE VIE, SYDNEY

26 BULLETIN PLACE, SYDNEY

27 69 COLEBROOKE ROW, LONDON

28 CHAINAYA BAR, MOSCOW

29 MUTIS, BARCELONA

30 SMUGGLER’S COVE, SAN FRANCISCO

31 CLOVER CLUB, NEW YORK

32 BRAMBLE, EDINBURGH

33 LE FORUM, PARIS

34 ZETTER TOWNHOUSE, LONDON

35 FLORERIA ATLANTICO, BUENOS AIRES

36 LEBENSSTERN BAR, BERLIN

37 LA CAPILLA, TEPATITLAN

38 QUINARY, HONG KONG

39 LITTLE RED DOOR, PARIS

40 LE COQ, PARIS

41 SHADY PINES, SYDNEY

42 ATTABOY, NEW YORK

43 SHERRY BUTT, PARIS

44 POURING RIBBONS, NEW YORK

45 TIPPLING CLUB, SINGAPORE

46 DRINK, BOSTON

47 TOMMY’S MARGARITA, SAN FRANCISCO

48 BADA AU RUM, ATHENS

49 NOTTINGHAM FOREST, MILAN

50 DELICATESSEN, MOSCOW

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