Leading cocktailians from across the globe are packing their bags for Madrid for the reveal of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, sponsored by Perrier. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s events and how to follow along from home
Since 2009 The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, has scoured the globe in search of the finest drinks establishments and the most outstanding bartending talent. Now in its 16th edition, the ranking is created by the votes of the 700-strong Academy of experts across the planet, with the event programme uniting the teams behind the esteemed venues in one of the world’s cocktail capitals.
Following editions in London, Barcelona and Singapore, The World’s 50 Best Bars is bringing four days of celebrations to the Spanish capital, culminating in a live awards ceremony at Madrid Arena on 22 October, where the brand-new ranking will be revealed.
Here’s everything you need to know about the events happening around the city and how you can see all the action as it unfolds.
Access to 50 Best events is by invitation only.
ONLINE ANNOUNCEMENT: The World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list reveal
Tuesday 8 October 11:00 Madrid time (UTC+2)
Two weeks ahead of the main ranking unveiling, the extended list of venues ranked between 51st and 100th will be revealed in an online countdown on Tuesday 8 October at 11:00 Madrid time (UTC+2). Set a reminder to tune into the 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel to watch as each bar is revealed.
LIVESTREAM: The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 Awards Ceremony
Tuesday 22 October 20:25 Madrid time (UTC+2)
On the evening of 22 October, the teams behind the bars included in the 2024 ranking will strut down the Madrid Arena red carpet. It all kicks off at 20:25, starting with the reveal of the bar ranked No.50, counting down to this year’s No.1, named The World’s Best Bar 2024, sponsored by Perrier.
Get live updates as a host of special accolades are bestowed throughout the evening alongside on-stage celebrations for the winners of two pre-announced awards: the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, won by Caretaker’s Cottage in Melbourne, and the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, which was awarded to Iain McPherson in the weeks preceding the ceremony.
Tune into the livestream on the 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel to watch the ceremony from home and, from 18:30 Madrid time, head to the 50 Best Bars Instagram page to see live highlights straight from the red carpet.
LIVE INTERVIEWS: Instagram Live and Press Conference with No.1
Immediately following the ceremony
Peter Chua of Night Hawk answered questions at the press conference following his 2023 award win
Following the close of the ceremony and the reveal of the No.1 ranked bar, the team behind the newly crowned establishment will take part in an exclusive live interview hosted on 50 Best’s Instagram page. After sharing their initial reaction with the world, the team will then move to the official press conference to answer questions from the media.
OTHER EVENTS:
LIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Welcome to Madrid
Sunday 20 October, 18:00-19:30 Madrid time (UTC+2)
Hero Bar and Lady Bee will take over Rosewood Villa Magna's Tarde.O bar
A new addition to The World’s 50 Best Bars programme, a Welcome to Madrid drinks reception will be hosted at the luxurious Rosewood Villa Magna. The exclusive evening will be attended by select industry VIPs, including The World’s 50 Best Bars 28 Academy Chairs and key partners, who will all be served cocktails from Hero Bar (No.62 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) and Lady Bee, winner of last year’s Campari One To Watch Award.
Live highlights from the event will be shared on the 50 Best Bars Instagram page.
LIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Bartenders’ Feast
Monday 21 October, 18:00-22:00 (UTC+2)
One of The World's 50 Best Hotels will play host to this year's Bartenders' Feast
Look out for live highlights from Four Seasons Madrid (No.32 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024) on the 50 Best Bars Instagram page as the teams behind this years’ ranked bars reunite and refresh with cocktails shaken by a roster of heavyweight international bartending talent, including Tokyo’s high-flying Virtù (No.11 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024) and Lisbon’s Red Frog (No.88 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023).
LIVE HIGHLIGHTS: 50 Best Closing Party
Wednesday 23 October, 12:00-15:00 (UTC+2)
Famed Spanish chef Quique Dacosta will be cooking for guests at the 50 Best Closing Party
The day following the awards ceremony, the teams behind the new cohort of leading bars will have one final chance to unwind and bid farewell to Madrid and this year’s events programme. The historic Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid will play host to the afternoon of food crafted by famed Spanish chef Quique Dacosta, paired with cocktails from La Factoría (No.18 in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024) and local hotspot Angelita.
Watch live highlights on the 50 Best Bars Instagram page.
Miss last year’s ceremony? Watch the highlights:
The 16th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars list, sponsored by Perrier, will be announced on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
