London remains a trailblazer when it comes to bars, from renowned cocktail joints to hidden speakeasies and heritage pubs.
The capital takes credit for several of the world’s most famous cocktails, including the Vesper Martini, which was invented at Duke’s Hotel and made famous by James Bond author Ian Fleming, as well as the Bramble and the Black Velvet.
So, it should come as no surprise that six of the capital’s bars have made the cut onto the very first Europe’s 50 Best Bars List, ranking as the city with the most establishments on the list.
William Reed - the publishing company behind the list - also comprises World’s 50 Best, the National Restaurant Awards, and the Top 50 Gastropubs lists.
The Connaught Bar located within the luxury Mayfair hotel took 10th spot overall and was the UK’s highest ranked bar.
You can no longer smoke cigars inside, but the bar retains its dramatic and theatrical feel, serving up martinis from its table-side bar cart.
Hot on its heels in 11th place was Satan’s Whiskers in Bethnal Green, a popular spot frequented by those in London’s bar industry. It first entered the list in 2022 and was named the best cocktail bar in the UK just a year later.
In 12th place was Tayēr + Elementary, which is currently being relocated from its original spot in Old Street.
The walk-in only bar is famed for its one-sip martinis and has become a popular jaunt for Londoners.
The Waltz in Shoreditch takes 23rd place for its impressive Japanese-inspired cocktails and interiors, while Kwãnt Mayfair - headed up by former Savoy mixologist Erik Lorincz - takes the 40th spot.
In the 41st spot is Three Sheets in Soho. The West End branch is a favourite among Londoners with queues often pouring out into the streets.
The final London bar is Scarfes Bar in Covent Garden, which clinches the 47th spot.
Europe’s 50 best bars: The full list
1. Line, Athens
2. The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens
3. Sips, Barcelona
4. Himkok, Oslo
5. Bar Nouveau, Paris
6. Moebius Milano, Milan
7. The Cambridge Public House, Paris
8. Mirror Bar, Bratislava
9. Paradiso, Barcelona
10. Connaught Bar, London
11. Satan's Whiskers, London
12. Tayēr + Elementary, London
13. Barro Negro, Athens
14. Baba au Rum, Athens
15. Svanen, Oslo
16. Nouvelle Vague, Tirana
17. Wax On, Berlin
18. Camparino in Galleria, Milan
19. Danico, Paris
20. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
21. Locale Firenze, Florence
22. 1930, Milan
23. Waltz, London
24. Bird, Copenhagen
25. Alma Prague, Prague
26. Aldea, Barcelona
27. Harry's Bar Paris, Paris
28. L'Antiquario, Naples
29. Gucci Giardino, Florence
30. The Clumsies, Athens
31. Freni e Frizioni, Rome
32. Drink Kong, Rome
33. Gorilla, Thessaloniki
34. De Vie, Paris
35. 14 De La Rosa, Barcelona
36. Boadas, Barcelona
37. Tjoget, Stockholm
38. Forbína Bar, Prague
39. Tag, Krakow
40. Kwãnt Mayfair, London
41. Three Sheets (Soho), London
42. Super Lyan, Amsterdam
43. Röda Huset, Stockholm
44. Late Bloomers, Zurich
45. Angelita, Madrid
46. Salmon Guru, Madrid
47. Scarfes Bar, London
48. Foco, Barcelona
49. Rita, Milan
50. Dunlin, Innsbruck
