When I was in my 20s, going to bars for happy hour was something my friends and I did with regularity. In fact, I met my husband of 30 years at a bar, and then my husband introduced me to his favorite bar, Duffy’s in Lincoln Park, Ill., which featured quarter beers on tap on Wednesday nights.
Since then, our tastes have evolved and I prefer wine, Margaritas and other mixed drinks while on-premise.
With thousands of bars in North America and throughout the world from which to choose, perhaps that’s why an article on the world’s best bars caught my eye.
Now in its 10th year, the World’s 50 Best Bars welcomed 10 brand new entries and two re-entries to the 2018 ranking. Showcasing diversity and emerging trends from around the world, the list included bars from 26 cities across 20 countries, according to the list.
The United States and the United Kingdom each count 10 bars on the list with a strong presence in New York and London, in particular, it reports.
London’s Dandelyan claimed the World’s Best Bar Award, sponsored by Perrier, at The World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony at London’s Roundhouse. At No. 4, New York’s The NoMad, sponsored by Michter’s Distillery, claimed Best Bar in North America honors for the second consecutive year.
Claiming the No.1 spot, Dandelyan also earned the Best Bar in Europe. The bar was created by forward-thinking cocktail creator and bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana, whose cocktail menus focus on botany.
“The awards are designed to showcase the world’s finest bars, the talented people behind them and the unforgettable experiences they serve up,” said William Drew, group editor of The World’s 50 Best Bars, in a statement.