World’s 50 Best Bars, the same operation that names the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, just released a portion of its annual ranking, naming some of the top drinking holes in the country—and our very own Thunderbolt in Echo Park-meets-Historic Filipinotown landed at number 64 (the organization dropped its 51–100 list, with plans to announce the top 50 in Madrid on October 22).
Americans in general should be proud: USA bars lead representation in the (half of the) list for the second year in a row, with a total of seven destinations included, four of which are in New York.
A panel of over 700 independent bartenders, educators, drink experts, cocktail specialists and award-winning writers comes up with the list each year.
Although there are no pre-determined criteria that voters are asked to keep in mind, there are strict rules to follow: the experts must have visited the bars they are praising during the 18-month voting period, they are not allowed to self-nominate or mention a destination in which they have a financial interest. One more thing: pop-ups do not qualify.
“This extended ranking gives us another incredible opportunity to celebrate the relentless dedication and unparalleled hospitality of the world’s best bars on an even greater scale and to welcome bars from even more destinations to the ranking,” said Emma Sleight, head of content for the World’s 50 Best Bars, in an official statement.
So will we see another L.A. bar make it to the top half of the list? Our guess is no; Thunderbolt was already the highest-ranked L.A. spot in this year’s North America list (Mírate also landed on there, but lower down at number 46). But that’s alright: Thunderbolt happens to be our pick for L.A.’s top-ranked bar, and for good reason thanks to its pages-long list of playful concoctions.
Check out the 51–100 list below.
51. The Bar in Front of the Bar in Athens
52. Kwãnt Mayfair in London
53. Freni e Frizioni in Rome
54. The SG Club in Tokyo
55. Arca in Tulum
56. Cat Bite Club in Singapore
57. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar in Bangkok
58. Argo in Hong Kong
59. Little Red Door in Paris
60. The Clumsies in Athens
61. A Bar with Shapes For a Name in London
62. Mirror Bar in Bratislava
63. Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou
64. Thunderbolt in Los Angeles
65. Angelita in Madrid
66. Café La Trova in Miami
67. Native in Singapore
68. Barro Negro in Athens
69. Carnaval in Lima
70. Bar Pompette in Toronto
71. Bar Cham in Seoul
72. Svanen in Oslo
73. Wax On in Berlin
74. Night Hawk in Singapore
75. Hero Bar in Nairobi
76. LPM Dubai in Dubai
77. Bird in Copenhagen
78. L’Antiquario in Naples
79. Dante in New York
80. Katana Kitten in New York
81. Sin + Tax in Johannesburg
82. The Savory Project in Hong Kong
83. Baltra Bar in Mexico City
84. Attaboy in New York
85. Vesper in Bangkok
86. Smoke & Bitters in Hiriketiya
87. Rayo in Mexico City
88. Pacific Cocktail Haven in San Francisco
89. The Bellwood in Tokyo
90. Amaro in London
91. Zapote Bar in Playa del Carmen
92. Camparino in Galleria in Milan
93. Hanky Panky in Mexico City
94. Red Frog in Lisbon
95. Nouvelle Vague in Tirana
96. Cantina OK! in Sydney
97. Employees Only in New York
98. Penrose in Kuala Lumpur
99. Viajante87 in London
100. Above Board in Melbourne