The definitive list of Europe's best bars has been unveiled by 50 Best, with Athens taking the top two positions and London boasting the most establishments overall. This year marks the first time the European list has been curated by 50 Best.
Line in Athens secured the gold medal as the best bar in Europe. Located a short distance from the city center in a converted art gallery, the bar features a Mediterranean-industrial aesthetic. Line is noted for its house-fermented fruit wines, beer, and sourdough, alongside inventive cocktails such as a 'leftover spritz' made with tomato, cardamom, and elderflower. Visitors have praised its inventive drinks and focus on unique flavors and ferments.
Taking the silver medal is also an Athens establishment, The Bar in Front of the Bar. This bar began as a pop-up and evolved into a street-side venue without indoor seating. It focuses on eight daily signature drinks crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The bar is recognized for its relaxed, lively atmosphere and its commitment to sustainability, with a daily changing cocktail menu and often humorous signage.
Barcelona's Sips earned the bronze medal. The bar emphasizes the overall sensory experience of drinks, focusing on taste, texture, and scent. Reservations are required due to consistent demand.
UK Presence and London's Dominance
The United Kingdom has eight bars featured in the top 50, matching Spain's total, while Italy has nine. However, London emerged as the city with the highest number of bars on the list. Among the UK entries, Connaught Bar in London placed 10th, followed by Satan's Whiskers (11th) and Tayēr + Elementary (12th). Edinburgh's Panda & Sons was ranked 20th.
Other London bars to make the top 50 include Waltz (23rd), Kwãnt Mayfair (40th), Three Sheets (Soho) (41st), and Scarfes Bar (47th).
Notable Bars Across Europe
Oslo's Himkok, a bar, distillery, and barbershop, is recognized for its unique drinks and Nordic-inspired flavors, earning it the fourth spot. Paris is represented by Bar Nouveau in the Marais district, which landed in fifth place. This bar is known for its Art Nouveau-inspired decor, its collection of antique Bimini glasses, and a menu of six curated cocktails.
Moebius Milano in Milan, Italy, ranked sixth, offering tapas alongside its cocktail list and live jazz music. The Cambridge Public House in Paris, inspired by British pubs, secured seventh place with its relaxed atmosphere and innovative cocktail menu.
Bratislava's Mirror Bar, situated within the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel, was eighth. It is distinguished by cocktails served in custom glassware and handcrafted vessels, often incorporating 3D-printed elements and sculptural displays.
Barcelona's Paradiso, known for its discreet entrance through a pastrami shop refrigerator, came in ninth. Paradiso was named the world's best bar in 2022 and is celebrated for its theatrical presentation and creative cocktail recipes.
Connaught Bar, also in London, rounded out the top 10. Opened in 2008, it is noted for its Cubist decor and its signature dry martini, prepared tableside from a trolley.