The World's 50 Best Bars
The World's 50 Best Bars is a UK-based annual ranking and awards platform founded in 2009 that identifies the world's top 50 bars through an independent academy of over 1,080 voters. It monetizes the rankings via approximately 24 exclusive category sponsorships from global beverage and hospitality brands, anchored by Title Sponsor Perrier.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersCrawley, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The World's 50 Best Bars does
The World's 50 Best Bars, founded in 2009 and operated from Crawley, United Kingdom by a 22-person team, is an annual ranking and awards platform that identifies the top 50 bars globally, supplemented by an extended 51-100 list. The list is produced through an independent voting academy of more than 1,080 anonymous expert voters and is revealed at an annual awards ceremony; The List 2025, sponsored by Perrier, named Bar Leone in Hong Kong as the top-ranked bar. The platform's commercial operation is built on a two-sided model: the supply side consists of premium bars seeking global recognition and industry credibility, while the demand side consists of global beverage brands seeking exclusive category sponsorship of the awards and access to the bar industry audience. Revenue is generated almost entirely from approximately 24 partner sponsorships covering distinct categories (vodka, gin, tequila, cognac, whisky, mezcal, amaro, beer, liqueurs, vermouth, coffee liqueur, mixers, syrups, water, non-alcoholic, plus hospitality-tech partners including a booking platform and a delivery partner), augmented by revenue from the annual awards ceremony and associated content production.
The product surface comprises the annual rankings, an awards ceremony with at least 12 distinct award categories for 2025, and a partner/sponsorship program. There is no proprietary technology platform beyond a content website (theworlds50best.com) and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube, LinkedIn); the technology field is explicitly marked as not applicable. The organization's competitive positioning rests on the global brand recognition of the '50 Best' badge, the credibility conferred by an independent voter academy, and category-exclusive sponsor relationships. Sustainability has been formalized through a partnership with the Sustainable Restaurant Association since 2013, which audits the Sustainable Bar Award across Sourcing, Society, and Environment criteria. The World's 50 Best Bars operates within a broader 50 Best portfolio that includes The World's 50 Best Restaurants, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, Asia's 50 Best Bars, and Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, suggesting portfolio synergies in content, sponsor relationships, and event infrastructure across the hospitality ranking category.
The World's 50 Best Bars firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The World's 50 Best Bars
- Legal name
- The World's 50 Best Bars
- Website
- https://worlds50bestbars.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The World's 50 Best Bars is a UK-based annual ranking and awards platform founded in 2009 that identifies the world's top 50 bars through an independent academy of over 1,080 voters. It monetizes the rankings via approximately 24 exclusive category sponsorships from global beverage and hospitality brands, anchored by Title Sponsor Perrier.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The World's 50 Best Bars industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hospitality Industry Awards & Rankings
- NAICS
- Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cocktail Bars & Lounges (CRANACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)
Keywords
Where The World's 50 Best Bars is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Crawley
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
The World's 50 Best Bars business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Partner Sponsorships: The organization generates revenue through official sponsorship partnerships with spirit brands, beverage companies, and hospitality service providers. Each partner holds a specific category (e.g., Official Vodka Partner, Official Vermouth Partner) and is featured prominently on the website and at awards events.
- Awards Ceremony and Events: Revenue is generated through the annual awards ceremony where partners and media attend, and through associated events and content production.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
The World's 50 Best Bars product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The World's 50 Best Bars is a media and awards platform that publishes an annual ranking of the world's top 50 bars, hosts an annual awards ceremony to recognize bar excellence across multiple categories, and operates a brand partnership program with premium beverage companies. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the UK, the organization serves as a global authority on cocktail culture and bar industry excellence.
Product overview
The World's 50 Best Bars is an annual rankings and awards platform recognizing the world's top 50 bars. The offering centers on The List (rankings published as The List 2025, sponsored by Perrier), a comprehensive awards ceremony featuring multiple award categories (Sustainable Bar Award, Best New Opening Award, Best Cocktail Menu Award, Industry Icon Award, Highest New Entry Award, One To Watch Award, Legend of the List Award, Best Bar Design Award, Art of Hospitality Award), and a partner/sponsorship program connecting beverage brands with top bars. Individual bar profiles provide detailed information about each ranked establishment including location, description, and contact details.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- The 2025 list reveals the top 50 bars globally, with Bar Leone (Hong Kong) named The World's Best Bar 2025
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The World's 50 Best Bars
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The World's 50 Best Bars technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The World's 50 Best Bars partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship/title, core and flagship/audit.
- Perrierflagship/titlePerrier is the Title Sponsor of The World's 50 Best Bars 2025 and the Official Water Partner. The annual list is branded as 'sponsored by Perrier' and Perrier's logo is featured prominently across all award materials and partner sections.
- SevenRoomscoreSevenRooms is the Official Booking Platform Partner. It provides reservation and guest management technology that enables bars to manage bookings and enhance the guest experience.
- DoorDashcoreDoorDash is the Official Delivery Partner, enabling bars to offer delivery services to their customers.
- Michter'scoreMichter's is the Official American Whiskey Partner. Sponsors the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award 2025, won by Lady Bee, Lima.
- Nikka WhiskycoreNikka Whisky is the Official Whisky of the World Partner, promoting Japanese whisky to the global bar industry audience.
- Ketel OnecoreKetel One is the Official Vodka Partner and sponsor of the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, recognizing the most sustainable bar on the list.
- Three CentscoreThree Cents is the Official Mixers Partner and sponsor of the Three Cents Best New Opening Award 2025.
- Mezcal Los Siete MisterioscoreMezcal Los Siete Misterios is the Official Mezcal Partner and sponsor of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2025.
- NOAMcoreNOAM is the Official Beer Partner, bringing craft and premium beer options to the 50 Best ecosystem.
- Roku GincoreRoku Gin is the Official Gin Partner and sponsor of the Roku Industry Icon Award 2025.
- AltoscoreAltos is the Official Tequila Partner, promoting premium Mexican tequila to the global bar industry.
- CointreaucoreCointreau is the Official Orange Liqueur Partner and a staple ingredient recognized in the cocktail industry for iconic drinks like the Margarita and Cosmopolitan.
- Rémy MartincoreRémy Martin is the Official Cognac Partner and sponsor of the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award 2025, won by Baba au Rum, Athens.
- Monkey ShouldercoreMonkey Shoulder is the Official Scotch Whisky Partner and sponsor of The Best Bar in Europe 2025 award, won by Sips, Barcelona. Ranked third among Top Trending Scotch Whisky Brands in Drink International's 2025 Brands Report.
- CamparicoreCampari is the Official Bitters Partner and sponsor of the Campari One To Watch Award 2025, won by Bar Mauro, Mexico City. Campari is an iconic Italian bitter spirit dating to 1860.
- Mr BlackcoreMr Black is the Official Coffee Liqueur Partner. Born in Australia, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is used in cocktail programs globally.
- Torres BrandycoreTorres Brandy is the Official Brandy Partner and sponsor of The Best Bar in South America 2025, won by Tres Monos, Buenos Aires.
- DisaronnocoreDisaronno is the Official Italian Liqueur Partner and sponsor of the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award 2025, won by Mirror Bar, Bratislava.
- Amaro LucanocoreAmaro Lucano is the Official Amaro Partner and sponsor of The Best Bar in North America 2025, won by Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City. Produced by the Vena family since 1894.
- Mancino VermouthcoreMancino Vermouth is the Official Vermouth Partner. Founded in 2011 in Asti, Piedmont, it produces vermouths using Italian wine and hand-picked botanicals, including Sakura (cherry blossom inspired) and Kopi (coffee vermouth).
- St-GermaincoreSt-Germain is the Official French Liqueur Partner. Made from hand-picked wild elderflowers, St-Germain is a premium French liqueur celebrated in cocktail culture for its delicate, natural sweetness.
- AlmavecoreAlmave is the Official Non-Alcoholic Partner. The first non-alcoholic spirit made with Blue Agave and first distilled in Jalisco, Mexico, created by Iván Saldaña with Lewis Hamilton.
- Polot 1882corePolot 1882 is the Official Syrups Partner. The flagship brand of Italian company General Fruit, offering over 100 premium syrup varieties for mixology and bar use, crafted with natural aromas.
- Sustainable Restaurant Associationflagship/auditThe Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) is the Official Sustainability Audit Partner for 50 Best. Since 2013, SRA has used its Food Made Good Standard assessment tool to audit and judge the winner of the Sustainable Bar and Sustainable Restaurant awards across three pillars: Sourcing, Society, and Environment. Over 10,000 hospitality sites have completed the SRA assessment.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The World's 50 Best Bars competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Bar Convent: Major bar industry trade show and conference (Berlin, Brooklyn) with associated awards. Comparable B2B events business serving brand sponsors and bartender audiences, though more trade-show-led than ranking-led.
- Punch (punchdrink.com): Digital-first cocktail and bar culture publication covering industry news, bar profiles, and trends. Emerging editorial competitor with strong brand affinity among bartenders but without an equivalent annual ranking franchise.
Direct peers
- Difford's Guide: Long-running cocktail industry reference and reviews platform with a global bar directory and awards (Difford's Guide Awards). Competes for bartender mindshare and brand sponsorship spend with comparable content + recognition model.
- Tales of the Cocktail: Annual spirits industry conference and awards program (including the Spirited Awards) held in New Orleans, serving bartenders and brands globally. Comparable audience, sponsor base, and awards-driven media model.
- The World's 50 Best Hotels: Newest sibling in the 50 Best portfolio ranking hotels globally using parallel academy voting and sponsorship framework. Useful comparable for evaluating how the parent organization launches and scales adjacent verticals.
- The World's 50 Best Restaurants: Sister brand under the same 50 Best organization that ranks the world's top restaurants using the same independent academy voting methodology, sponsorship model, and annual awards ceremony format. Directly comparable business model and infrastructure.
- Asia's 50 Best Bars: Sibling ranking focused on Asia, operated by the same 50 Best organization. Shares academy methodology, sponsor ecosystem (Roku, Nikka, Campari), and awards format — making it the closest direct functional peer.
- Class Magazine (CLASS Bar Awards): UK-based hospitality trade magazine and operator of the CLASS Bar Awards, covering bar industry trends, rankings, and brand features. Closely comparable editorial and awards-driven media business serving the same audience.
Broad incumbents
- Drink International / The World's 50 Best Bars sister media: Trade media in the global bar and spirits space publishing brand reports, rankings, and industry analysis. Broader portfolio incumbent covering bar and spirits industry with overlapping audience and sponsor relationships.
- International Bartender Association (IBA): Global federation of national bartender associations running the official World Cocktail Competition. Incumbent in the same bartender recognition space but focused on competitive bartending rather than venue rankings.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The World's 50 Best Bars social profiles
Digital presenceThe World's 50 Best Bars financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The World's 50 Best Bars leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The World's 50 Best Bars funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The World's 50 Best Bars M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The World's 50 Best Bars
What does The World's 50 Best Bars do?
The World's 50 Best Bars is a media and awards platform that publishes an annual ranking of the world's top 50 bars, hosts an annual awards ceremony to recognize bar excellence across multiple categories, and operates a brand partnership program with premium beverage companies. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the UK, the organization serves as a global authority on cocktail culture and bar industry excellence.
Is The World's 50 Best Bars a public or private company?
The World's 50 Best Bars is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was The World's 50 Best Bars founded?
The World's 50 Best Bars was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The World's 50 Best Bars based?
The World's 50 Best Bars is headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The World's 50 Best Bars make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Partner Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are awards Ceremony and Events.
Who are The World's 50 Best Bars's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Bar Convent and Punch (punchdrink.com). Direct peers are Difford's Guide, Tales of the Cocktail, The World's 50 Best Hotels, The World's 50 Best Restaurants, Asia's 50 Best Bars and Class Magazine (CLASS Bar Awards). Broad incumbents are Drink International / The World's 50 Best Bars sister media and International Bartender Association (IBA).
Does The World's 50 Best Bars have an API?
No public API is recorded for The World's 50 Best Bars.
What industry is The World's 50 Best Bars in?
The World's 50 Best Bars's product category is Hospitality Industry Awards & Rankings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRANACAD, Cocktail Bars & Lounges, with a secondary code of THAFAEAG, Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms. Its NAICS code is 7224.