A London bar that first opened its doors 128 years ago and went on to create the gin and vermouth-infused Hanky Panky cocktail, has been crowned the best drinking den in the world.
The American Bar, at the swanky Savoy, claimed the top spot at The World’s 50 Best Bars awards in London on Thursday night, taking the title from New York’s Dead Rabbit.
Overall there were four spots in the British capital that made the top ten – including Dandelyan and the Connaught Bar, which came in at second and fourth place respectively.
The American Bar, at the swanky Savoy hotel, scored first place at The World’s 50 Best Bars awards in London on Thursday night, taking the title from New York’s Dead Rabbit
The American Bar, which was serving drinks in the same year the Eiffel Tower was still being completed, is said to be one of the most historically important bars open today.
Libations start at around £18 ($23.54) for a fairly simple concoction.
Overall there were four bars from the British capital in the top ten – including Dandelyan (seen above), which came in at second place
Last year’s winner, Dead Rabbit, dropped to fifth place – a shock to many industry players
However, if you fancy trying the infamous Hanky Panky creation – invented by the famed female bartender Ada Colema in the 1920s – you must be willing to part with £120 ($157) for the vermouth and gin concoction.
The newly-released top 50 list includes bars from 24 cities in 19 countries including Australia, Singapore, China, Holland, Italy, France and Spain.
While London dominated the top ten, the World’s 50 Best Bars awards showed that U.S. cocktail culture is booming with 13 bars featured, including seven from New York.
Last year’s winner, the sawdust-strewn Dead Rabbit, dropped to fifth place – a shock to many industry players, according to the award organisers.
But on the flip side, the same team responsible for the bar scored the Best New Opening award with their new spot, BlackTail (number 32).
Mixologists at the NoMad Bar in Manhattan celebrated coming in third on the list and being named the best drinking joint in North America
The Black Pearl of Melbourne took home two awards. It was named the Best Bar in Australasia, for a second time, and was also named Legend of the List
The Connaught Bar is famed for its martini trolley. This year the hotel watering hole came in at fourth place at the World’s 50 Best Bars awards
Mixologists at the NoMad Bar in Manhattan also celebrated coming in third on the list and being named the best drinking joint in North America.
Asia saw an additional four bars join the elite list this year to bring the region’s total to 12, more than ever before.
Manhattan (number seven) in Singapore took the title of Best Bar in Asia, while Hong Kong bars maintained their position, with Quinary (number 40) and Lobster Bar (number 49) making the rankings once again.
Indulge Experimental Bistro (number 28) marked Taiwan’s debut in the list and Atlas in Singapore took home the award for the Highest New Entry, diving in at number 15.
Latin America continues to rise as a drinking destination with Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires, taking the award for Highest Climber, rising an incredible 26 spots to number 23.
Meanwhile, Mexico City’s Licorería Limantour, number 14, retained the title of Best Bar in Latin America for the third year in a row.