Barcelona

After a rapid ascent up the list of the World's 50 Best Bars, Barcelona has taken its place alongside London, New York and Singapore at the pinnacle of the international bar scene. And it has a beach and some sweet yachts. You'd be loco to pass on a trip to the Catalan capital.

Sips - Eixample
Señoras y señoritas, the newest (2023) World's Best Bar - despite its insistence on referring to itself as a 'drinkery house'. Sips is so laid-back and relaxed that there isn't even a bar. The 'tenders work round a table at the front of the shiny, low lit room, so you can get as up close and personal as you want. Run by multi-award winning Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez the site has just expanded to include a new bar within a bar experience - Esencia. We'll be back.

Paradiso - Gothic Quarter
Last year's World's Best Bar is a colourfual and fun place that just doesn't take itself too seriously. Apart from when it comes to the drinks, their presentation and the tech. Pull up a seat at the bar, sing your little heart out to Estelle and marvel as sparks fly (literally), infusions are distilled and foams, soaps and bubbles appear from every direction. It's truly crazy, but it's a must-visit spot.

Boadas - Plaça de Catalunya
This bar dates back to the 1930s and claims to be Barcelona's oldest purveyor of cocktails. The wood paneling, murals and classic outfits will attest to this, but perhaps more excitingly it is now also in the hands of super maestro Simone Carparole. Not much has changed, yet, the menu still focuses on classics done fast, but we can't wait to see what Simone magic will be sprinkled on top of this central icon.

Two Schmucks - El Raval
The language is a bit rough, but the motto is sound: 'Build, Destroy, Rebuild' they say and they have, several times over. The team has changed from the one that took Schmucks to the dizzying heights of seven in 2022's 50 Best Bars, but this self-proclaimed 'Five Star Dive Bar' is still a solid choice for fun drinks done well.

FOCO - Gràcia
New kid on the block FOCO (it stands for Foreign Correspondents) is a lively spot on the edge of elegant Gràcia. With a rising profile, including raucous takeovers during London Cocktail Week, this is going to be the bar you will be telling everyone you knew way back in 2023. Trust us.