Melbourne’s Black Pearl among World’s 50 Best Bars Awards
Australia has just one bar in the World’s 50 Best Bars Awards 2018, with Black Pearl in Melbourne coming in at No.30 and claiming the title Best Bar in Australasia.
London’s Dandelyan has claimed The World’s Best Bar Award, and also earned the title of Best Bar in Europe. After debuting on the list at No.50 in 2015, Dandelyan jumped to No.3 in 2016, then edged its way to No.2 in 2017.
Created by innovative bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana, the focus of Dandelyan is to bring a stylish neighbourhood vibe to the glamour of the Mondrian Hotel on London’s Southbank, with sustainability and nature to the fore. Since opening in September 2014, Dandelyan has launched five cocktail menus all with a focus on botany.
Overall, London celebrates 10 bars on the 2018 list, welcoming four newcomers; Scout (No.28), Three Sheets (No.29), Swift (No.46) and Coupette (No.18), which also wins the Best New Opening Award, sponsored by Thomas Henry. Connaught Bar (No.5) also receives the Heering Legend of the List title, which recognises the bar that has performed most consistently over the 10-year history of the list. Last year’s No.1, American Bar at The Savoy, now claims the No.2 position, while established London destinations including Bar Termini (No.6), Oriole (No.17) and Happiness Forgets (No.35) also remain on the list.
Singapore leads Asia’s ranking with five bars featured. Manhattan (No.3) enters the top three and claims the title of Best Bar in Asia. Singapore is also represented by Atlas (No.8), Operation Dagger (No.23) and 28 HongKong Street (No.34), while Native jumps 34 places to No.13 to take the Highest Climber Award. To add to the city-state’s accolades, Singapore-based bartender Joe Schofield, recently of Tippling Club (No.58) and now heading the Sensorium project, has been named the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender for his ground-breaking flavour developments.
The US boasts 10 bars on the list with The NoMad (No.4) from New York crowned Best Bar in North America, for the second consecutive year. New York’s Dante cracks the top 10, climbing seven places to No.9, while Employees Only jumps 11 places back to No.26. The city’s impressive line-up is completed by Attaboy (No.15), The Dead Rabbit (No.16), and BlackTail (No.41).
San Francisco is represented by two bars: Tommy’s (No.40) and Trick Dog (No.44). Chicago celebrates a new entry on to the list with the debut of Lost Lake at No.50. Miami’s Sweet Liberty climbs six paces to No.21 with the industry paying special tribute to John Lermayer, one of its founders who passed away earlier this year, with the Industry Icon Award.
Asia continues to celebrate a strong presence on the list with establishments from China, Japan and Taiwan also featuring. The Old Man from Hong Kong debuts on The World’s 50 Best Bars list at No.10, claiming the Highest New Entry Award. Representing China is Speak Low in Shanghai at No.20. Japan features Bar High Five (No.12) and Bar Benfiddich (No.49), both from Tokyo, while Taiwan’s Indulge Experimental Bistro in Taipei lands at No.38.
“The awards are designed to showcase the world’s finest bars, the talented people behind them and the unforgettable experiences they serve up,” said William Drew, group editor of The World’s 50 Best Bars.
“Our aim is to illuminate the artistry of bartending and provide a definitive guide to the finest global destinations for the discerning drinker. The list incorporates grand hotel bars, secretive speakeasies, quirky salons and classic drinking dens; a true celebration of the diversity and universality of drinks culture and a reflection of new and developing bar scenes all over the world.”
See the full lists at www.worlds50bestbars.com.
Sheridan Randall, 4th October 2018
