A new ranking of the world’s 50 best bars for 2026 includes four standout New York City destinations.
The 18th annual list was unveiled in Milan earlier this week after roughly 800 expert judges from around the world submitted their votes.
Bar Leone, the acclaimed Italian-inspired cocktail bar in Hong Kong’s busy Central District, claimed the top spot for the second consecutive year. The venue was named the best bar in Asia in 2024, when it also placed second worldwide. In 2025, it rose to No. 1 globally — and has now held on to the title for another year.
Co-founded by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone channels the lively spirit of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood. Antinori has credited the bar’s remarkable success to its commitment to timeless classic cocktails instead of chasing flashy trends or elaborate gimmicks.
Four New York City bars landed among the world’s top 50, including three newcomers to the ranking. Superbueno, Double Chicken Please and Overstory, which all appeared on the 2025 list, did not return this year.
11. Schmuck
Schmuck, an East Village cocktail bar founded by two Barcelona-based owners, opened in 2025 and quickly attracted widespread acclaim. Co-owners Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy envisioned the venue as an intimate house party, encouraging guests to wander from one room to the next.
The bar is divided into two separate spaces, the Living Room and the Kitchen Table. Each has its own atmosphere and menu, although patrons are invited to move between them and settle in as though they were at home.
Aljaff told The Post in 2025 that he was opening Schmuck with only $10 and change in his checking account. The partners also relied on AI for practical guidance, from understanding their water filtration system to researching average prices and licensing laws in an effort to avoid being overcharged or fined.
The Living Room menu reimagines familiar flavors in inventive ways, with popular cocktails such as “Bread and Tomato” and “Caramelized Apple.” The Strawberry & Cheese drink, finished with parmesan, may sound unconventional but has earned enthusiastic reviews. Food offerings blend European and Middle Eastern influences, including White Bean Cacio e Pepe and Smoked Labneh. Schmuck is located at 97 1st Ave. at the corner of East 6th Street.
14. Sip & Guzzle
Sip & Guzzle climbed dramatically to No. 14 this year, up from No. 39 in the 2025 ranking. The West Village bar combines the contrasting energies of New York and Tokyo, drawing its concept from an 1860 story about a samurai who visited the United States.
The downstairs “Sip” room has a polished speakeasy feel, with signature drinks including the Yakitini dirty martini and the Strawberry Hot Pot cocktail. The food menu features standouts such as bluefin tuna tartare and tea-smoked caviar.
Upstairs, “Guzzle” offers a more relaxed setting, where nearly every table orders the spicy fried “electric” chicken. Sip & Guzzle is located at 29 Cornelia St. in Manhattan.
46. Martiny’s
Before launching Martiny’s in 2022, Takuma Watanabe worked as a bartender at Angel’s Share in New York City. His Japanese cocktail lounge occupies three floors in Gramercy, between Union Square East and Irving Place. The bar takes its name from Philip Martiny, the sculptor responsible for creating the arch in Washington Square Park.
Watanabe, who was named Bartender of the Year in 2024, is known for the Grand Martiny’s, a wine-like gin martini variation. Other inventive offerings include the Caprese cocktail, made with whiskey and tomato water, and the matcha-infused Tea Ceremony cocktail.
49. Bar Snack
This East Village bar describes its approach as “dressed up classics for dressed down people.” Its name comes from the “snaquiri,” a smaller serving of the classic daiquiri.
Bar Snack naturally offers a broad selection of daiquiris, along with a playful take on traditional bar food. Its cult favorite is the Spice Bag, featuring chicken tenders and fries tossed in a bag with peppers and curry sauce. Designed as a welcoming neighborhood spot, the kitchen remains open until midnight every day of the week.
