Paradiso in Barcelona has been announced as No.1 on the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 – the first time the top spot has been awarded to a bar outside New York or London.

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 were unveiled at an awards ceremony in Barcelona, Spain early Wednesday 5 October (NZT) and features bars from 26 cities around the world. It is the 14th year of the awards, which recognise the bartenders, bar owners and brands at the forefront of the international cocktail scene.

Situated in Barcelona’s trendy El Born district, the entrance to Paradiso is hidden behind an antique refrigerator in the back of an unassuming pastrami shop. In announcing its win, organisers of the World’s 50 Best Bars said that Paradiso: “…offers a masterful take on the speakeasy, combining technique, precision and creativity with an unwavering sense of fun.”

At the bar, myriad meticulously crafted cocktails served in outlandish vessels take centre stage. Paradiso signatures, such as the Supercool Martini, uses ‘supercooled’ gin to build an iceberg in the glass before tailoring the final product tableside for a uniquely personal guest experience. From creating coasters and bar tools from single-use waste to hosting the first Paradiso Sustainability Summit, owners Giacomo Giannotti and Margarita Sader and their outstanding team showcase their unwavering commitment to ongoing sustainability, both within Paradiso and the wider industry.

The Best Bar in Australasia was named as Maybe Sammy at No.29, with fellow Sydney bar Cantina OK! at No.41. 

World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 – Top 10

1. Paradiso, Barcelona

2. Tayēr + Elementary, London

3. Sips, Barcelona

4. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City

5. Little Red Door, Paris

6. Double Chicken Please, New York

7. Two Schmucks, Barcelona

8. Connaught Bar, London

9. Katana Kitten, New York

10.  Alquímico, Cartagena

The winner of Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu was Juliana of Guayaquil, which took the accolade for its outstanding Diverso cocktail list.

Italian-born, London-based Agostino Perrone was named Roku Industry Icon. For this award, all 650 members of the voting Academy were asked to name the person who has done more for the progress of the bar industry than any other individual. Director of Mixology at London’s iconic Connaught Bar, Perrone’s masterful leadership has led to his bar to appearing on every list since 2010, including twice topping the ranking in 2020 and 2021. His exceptional hospitality is world-renowned, as is his creativity, mentorship and innovation behind the bar.

Paris’ acclaimed Little Red Door won the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. 

Other special award winners, announced in the run-up to the ceremony include Hanky Panky, Mexico City, named the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, and Jean Trinh, winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.

The inaugural 50 Best The Blend Scholar was announced as Drew Fleming of Kiki Lounge, Isle of Man. Created to recognise emerging future-gazing talent and professionalise the craft of bartending, the scholar will now complete two bar stages (internships) at London’s Connaught Bar and New York’s Katana Kitten.

W: See the full results at worlds50bestbars.com