One of the unique things about visiting cities is checking out their food and drink scene. For us, there’s nothing like your first experience in a Michelin-starred restaurant in a new city. It’s special. There’s also something to be said about grabbing a cocktail before a special meal like this. Lists like The World’s 50 Best Bars in the World make it easy to seek out these spots to see the magic that is cocktail making live in action.
Before diving into the cities with the best bars in the world, God Save the Points was the inspiration for this post. He’s visited some of the bars on this list that will make you jealous. Or at least it did for me. The decor, the attention to detail, the creativeness in the cocktails. These bars are doing it right attracting people myself to come to visit.
For more Points With Q articles delivered to your inbox, sign up for my travel newsletter.
Best Credits Cars to Use at the Best Bars in the World
While not a fool-proof strategy, credit cards that earn bonus points at restaurants generally code for bonus points at bars. You will not earn bonus points at every establishment but we’ve generally had success. Some of the best cards to use at bars include the Amex Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier Card.
The Amex Gold Card earns 4x points at restaurants and US supermarkets. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers earn 3x points on dining and travel. You earn 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels with the Citi Premier Card. Points earned from these cards can be transferred to airline and hotel partners of these programs to book award flights and hotel stays.
Cities with the Best Bars in the World
Hong Kong
Kicking off the list is a city that’s home to an airline in Cathay Pacific that consistently receives raved reviews for its business and first-class products. Separately, Hong Kong appears on countless tv food shows, and for good reason. Some of the best cuisine in the world can be found in Hong Kong. You can also find top-rated bars in COA, The Old Man, The Pontiac, and The Wise King.
London
Europe is always front of mine for us as it’s a place we can see ourselves living in after we visited. The city has countless sites to see when you’re there. While the year-round weather isn’t my favorite, the city’s cocktail should more than makeup for it. Connaught Bar, Tayēr + Elementary, Kwānt, The American Bar, Lyaness, Swift Soho, Three Sheets, Arestian, Scarfes Bar, The Donovan Bar, and Happiness Forgets find themselves in the top 100 bar’s list.
Melbourne
God Save the Points raves about Australia. When you read his Melbourne Guide: 48 Hours Of Sun, Fun And Foodie Heaven, it’s a city that’s a must-visit when flying down under. The Everleigh, Bydri, Above Board, and Black Pearl are cocktail bars that are certainly vy8ing for my attention on our first trip.
New York City
Similar to London, New York City is loaded with some of the best bars in the world. Not only that, its food scene is second to none both nationally and internationally. We can’t get enough of New York and try to visit every year. Dante, Attaboy, Nomad Bar, Katana Kitten, Employees Only, The Dead Rabbit, Death & Co, and Amor y Amargo are listed in the top bars in the world.
Singapore
Like London, Singapore is a city we’d consider living in if we were to move to Asia. The city was one of the highlights of a trip we took to the southeast that included Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Not only can find some of the best bars in the world, but you can also find a laundry list of Michelin restaurants. Top bars include Atlas, Jigger & Pony, Manhattan, Native, No Sleep Club, The Old Man Singapore, Tippling Club, 28 HongKong Street, and Gibson.
Taipei
I’ve never come across someone who raves about Taipei as much as Straight to the Points. Maybe it’s because he lives EVA’s Infinity MileageLands loyalty program or maybe it’s the city itself. At any rate, Indulge Experimental Bistro, Room by Le Kief, AHA Saloon, Bar Mood, and Draft Land is on the best bars in the world list.
Tokyo
Of all of the cities, I’ve not visited on this list, Tokyo is at the top of my list. Hopefully, all goes to plan and we can visit soon. In the meantime, the SG Club, Ben Benfiddich, High Five, Gen Yamamoto, and Bar Trench are cocktail bars that will be worked into our itinerary.
What do you think are best bars in the world? Which cities on this list are you wanting to visit the most? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
Disclaimer: If you click and/or sign up for a credit card through certain links on this site or any of my related social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click-through. The editorial content on this page and the user comments are not provided by any of the companies mentioned and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are mine alone.