The 16th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, landed in the Spanish capital for a series of live events and the reveal of a brand-new ranking on 22 October. Catch-up on some of the best moments from the week
1. Celebrations kick off at Rosewood Villa Magna
As the best and brightest in the bar scene began to land in Madrid, select industry VIPs, including The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy Chairs, headed to the glamorous Rosewood Villa Magna for an evening of delicious cocktails. Hero Bar (No.75 in this year’s ranking) brought a taste of Nairobi to Spain, joining forces with Lima’s Lady Bee, whose delicious showcase of Peruvian biodiversity and seasonality would see it debut at the No.16 spot in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024.
2. Sunset sips at the Four Seasons Madrid
On the evening before the awards ceremony, the teams behind the bars set to feature on the new ranking headed to the rooftop of the Four Seasons Madrid (No.32 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024) for the Bartenders’ Feast. Cocktails from Virtù in Tokyo and Lisbon’s Red Frog were flowing, paired with endless plates of jamón, steak and sushi, all set to the panoramic backdrop of Madrid’s cityscape at sunset.
3. Women in hospitality pool their wisdom
A new addition to this year’s programme was a networking event for women in bartending to share the unique experiences and challenges they face. Titans of the bar world, such as Lynette Marrero (winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2022) and Julie Reiner of Milady’s and Clover Club fame, conversed and shared their thoughts on how to keep the sector moving forwards.
4. All smiles at the press conference
As the day of the ceremony arrived, a press conference at Real Casa de Correos in the city centre saw Spanish bars Paradiso (The World’s Best Bar 2022) from Barcelona and hometown drinks institution 1862 Dry Bar discuss the ongoing success of the Spanish bar scene. Representatives from Madrid City Council and the Region of Madrid also shared their sentiments on the excitement surrounding the event.
5. The Madrid Arena fills up for the awards ceremony
The evening of the awards ceremony arrived, and the doors opened for the main event of this year’s programme, with more than 1,300 attendees making their way into the Madrid Arena in anticipation of the live reveal of the ranking. A staggering 26 bars lining the perimeter of the room meant cocktails were in abundance, while an illuminated dancefloor sat as the centrepiece of the space.
6. DJ Bego Martin amps up the atmosphere
As the crowd continued to grow in the room, on-stage DJ Bego Martin kept the vibes high with her signature fusion of electronic, disco and house genres. The buzz was maintained as Martin soundtracked the live show.
7. Moebius Milano makes its mark
The countdown commenced, and cheers erupted throughout the room as each venue’s name was called. As it reached No.38 and Moebius Milano’s name was announced, co-owner Lorenzo Querci exuberantly twirled his signature red scarf above his head.
8. A beloved bartender pairs panda ears with a kilt
‘No panda, no party’ is the motto of the ice-cold innovator Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons (No.30 in this year’s list). The Scottish bartender made his way onto the stage to collect his trophy for the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, to be greeted by a mask of his own likeness.
9. Tears and cheers as Calliope Draper is named the new 50 Best scholar
A small break in the countdown at the half-way point allowed for the announcement of this year’s recipient of the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship. From the three finalists who travelled to Madrid, Calliope Draper from Edmonton, Canada burst onto the stage with tears of disbelief to receive the accolade.
10. Bar Leone makes a dramatic debut
The atmosphere in the room was palpable as the countdown reached the final two positions in the ranking. Taking the penultimate spot was Bar Leone, the barely one-year-old Hong Kong bar whose ascension to cocktail stardom has been sensational. The team took to the stage, led by charismatic frontman Lorenzo Antinori (centre).
11. Handshake Speakeasy takes the top prize
After entering the ranking in 2021 at No.25, jumping to No.11 in 2022 and then No.3 last year, Handshake Speakeasy’s rise was to the top was completed at this year’s awards ceremony. The crowd raised the roof as the Mexico City bar was named both The Best Bar in North America and The World’s Best Bar 2024, sponsored by Perrier. Co-owners Marcos Di Battista, Eric Van Beek and Rodrigo Urraca celebrated with colleagues and friends, before Urraca exclaimed: “Dreams do come true!”
12. Quique Dacosta cooks up a (cheesecake) storm
The day after the awards, famed Spanish chef Quique Dacosta served up some of his signature dishes at the historic Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid. His delicate ‘tomato’ course and burnt Basque cheesecake went down a treat with those recovering from the night before, alongside cocktails from Madrid bar Angelita and Puerto Rico’s La Factoría.
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The 2024 edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars reunited the teams behind the leading cocktail establishments across the globe and will return next year with a series of celebrations in a new destination and with a new ranking in tow. Until then, follow our channels to keep on top of all bar news.
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The 16th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced on Tuesday 22 October 2024 in Madrid. Stay up to date with the latest news and announcements by following us on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.
