Four New York City bars have been recognized on the prestigious World's 50 Best Bars 2026 list, with the East Village cocktail bar Schmuck earning the highest placement at No. 11.
This annual ranking, unveiled in Milan, features the top establishments as voted on by approximately 800 global expert judges. Bar Leone in Hong Kong retained its title as the World's Best Bar for the second consecutive year.
Schmuck, co-owned by Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy, opened in 2025 and was designed to offer an intimate, house-party atmosphere. The bar is divided into two distinct spaces, the Living Room and the Kitchen Table, each with its own menu and ambiance. Aljaff previously stated they utilized AI extensively in the bar's setup, from understanding their water filtration system to navigating licensing laws. The Living Room menu offers inventive takes on classic flavors, while the Kitchen Table provides a fusion of European and Middle Eastern cuisine. Schmuck is located at 97 1st Ave.
Sip & Guzzle, situated in the West Village, made a significant jump to No. 14 from its previous No. 39 ranking in 2025. Inspired by New York and Tokyo, the venue features a speakeasy-style downstairs bar called "Sip" and a more casual upstairs bar, "Guzzle." Standout offerings include the Yakitini dirty martini and the Strawberry Hot Pot cocktail at Sip, and spicy fried chicken at Guzzle. The bar is located at 29 Cornelia St.
Martiny’s, a Japanese cocktail lounge established in 2022 by bartender Takuma Watanabe, secured the No. 46 spot. Spanning three floors in Gramercy, the bar is named after sculptor Philip Martiny. Watanabe, recognized as Bartender of the Year in 2024, is known for creations like the Grand Martiny’s, a gin martini variation, and the Caprese cocktail. Martiny's is located at 121 E 17th St.
Rounding out the New York contingent is Bar Snack, at No. 49. This East Village establishment describes itself as serving "dressed up classics for dressed down people." Its name derives from the "snaquiri," a smaller portion of a classic daiquiri. The bar offers an extensive daiquiri selection and a unique "Spice Bag" of chicken tenders and fries with peppers and curry sauce. Bar Snack is located at 92 2nd Ave.