Britain’s best bars for 2023
The top cocktail bars in London and beyond
The world’s best bars for 2023 have just been announced and London has again proved the cocktail capital of the globe, getting five into the top 50 – two top 10.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 held its awards ceremony in Singapore on October 17 and first place went to Sips in Barcelona, which judges said, “combines elegant design with cutting-edge technique to create an unfussy and playful ‘drinkery house’.”
But it was London which dominated, with more bars named than any other city. Thankfully, somewhere outside the capital also won a gong, with Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons making the list. The American Bar at Gleneagles in Scotland also won a special award. Here’s which British venues were named the best in the world:
Connaught Bar, London
The Connaught is on a roll – voted 22nd in the World’s 50 Best Hotels awards last month, which I covered here, now its classic bar comes in at number five in the world – rising three places from last year. The beautiful 1920s bar in Mayfair, was designed by David Collins Studio and is a divine place to relax and enjoy one of its signature Connaught Martinis. Visit the-connaught.co.uk.
Tayēr + Elementary, London
In the top 10 last year, Old Street’s hip Tayer + Elementary is back at number eight in the world, this year. Divided into two parts, Elementary is a neighbourhood bar where you can get cocktails on tap and Tayer is where you go for cocktail alchemy. Visit tayer-elementary.com.
Satan’s Whiskers, London
Also in East London, in Bethnal Green, is Satan’s Whiskers, which made the list at number 28. Enjoy innovative cocktails with a hip-hop backdrop, with a daily changing menu. They also sell bottled cocktails to go. Visit satanswhiskers.com.
A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London
Meanwhile, in at number 35, comes A Bar with Shapes for a Name, or what locals call “Shapes”, as you have to look out for a sign with a yellow triangle, red square and blue circle on East London’s Kingsland Road. This Bauhaus bar is minimalist, offering cocktails from 20 spirits, mixed with “creative catalysts”, like Pastel. It often has queues outside. Visit the bar’s Insta page here.
Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
It’s not all about London – Edinburgh’s own Panda & Sons was voted number 39. This speakeasy-meets-barbershop bar has a huge range of creative cocktails which are phenomenally good value – about a third of the price of its London counterparts. Visit pandaandsons.co.uk.
Scarfes Bar, London
High Holborn’s popular Scarfes Bar, made number 41. This gentleman’s club-esque venue is all comfy velvet armchairs, roaring fire and antique books, plus creative cocktails and live music, where locals quip they like to “get Scarfed”. Visit scarfesbar.com.
Special Award: The American Bar at Gleneagles, Scotland
Gleneagles won at the World’s 50 Best Hotels awards last month, too, getting both 32nd place and the Best Hospitality in the World gong. And so beloved is it, its bar also snagged a special award last week. Gleneagles’ Book of Berries menu was awarded the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. Inspired by the 20th-century ‘observer books’, this beautiful menu features 18 cocktails dedicated to single berries sourced from the local hills. Visit gleneagles.com.