Europe's 10 best bars

Where do you order the best cocktail in Europe right now? The inaugural Europe's 50 Best Bars has spoken, and one city in particular has proven exceptionally skilled at knowing what belongs in a glass. Time for a tour of Europe's finest.

A small moment of Dutch pride. Among cocktail cities like London, Paris, Barcelona and Athens, a Dutch name also appears on the list. Super Lyan in Amsterdam claims 42nd place and is the only Dutch representative in Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026.

Europe's top 10:

1. Line - Athens

1. The title of Europe's best bar goes to Line in Athens. The bar is located in a former art gallery in the Kato Petralona neighbourhood and feels more like a creative workshop than a traditional cocktail bar. Fermentation is a key part of the concept: fruit wines, beer, vinegar, syrups and bread are largely made in-house. Ingredients are used as completely as possible and given new purpose in dishes and cocktails wherever feasible. An unconventional approach that has brought Line to the top of Europe in a short time.

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2. The Bar in Front of the Bar - Athens

Second place also stays in Athens. The Bar in Front of the Bar started in 2021 as a temporary outdoor bar where cocktails were served through a hatch. It proved so successful that the concept remained. The spot now has two faces: outside, a lively, informal atmosphere with a daily changing cocktail menu, while behind the door lies a more intimate lounge. There the team works with local farmers and producers on surprising creations.

3. Sips - Barcelona

At Sips in Barcelona, the classical divide between bartender and guest disappears. Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez chose a central island around which cocktails are prepared and served. The drinks here are often small experiences, where taste, presentation and technique come together. For an even more extensive experience there is Esencia: a separate room with only fourteen seats where cocktails are presented as a tasting.

4. Himkok - Oslo

Hidden behind a modest entrance in Oslo is Himkok. Inside awaits a versatile destination with different bar spaces, a courtyard and a room where spirits are produced in-house. Here Himkok makes gin, vodka and the typically Scandinavian aquavit, among other things.

5. Bar Nouveau - Paris

In the Parisian neighbourhood Le Marais, Bar Nouveau brings together the elegant world of art nouveau with contemporary cocktails. The compact bar is spread over two floors, each with a different atmosphere and approach. The cocktail menu stays deliberately concise and focuses on precision and taste rather than an abundance of choices. A contemporary Parisian bar where design and craftsmanship reinforce each other.

6. Moebius Milano - Milan

Moebius Milano is more than just a cocktail bar. Cocktails, gastronomy, music and design converge in a distinctly industrial interior. The space is defined by concrete, vintage furniture and a stage for live music. The venue also houses a gastronomic restaurant alongside the bar. The Pesto Martini captures Milanese character perfectly: a cocktail in which pesto and balsamic vinegar play an unexpected starring role.

7. The Cambridge Public House - Paris

A British pub in Paris, but with a contemporary cocktail menu. The Cambridge Public House combines the relaxed atmosphere of a neighbourhood pub with the precision of a high-end cocktail bar. Alongside Guinness and craft beer, the menu features inventive cocktails and natural wines. Sustainability plays an important role, with attention to seasonal produce and the most complete possible use of ingredients.

8. Mirror Bar - Bratislava

At Mirror Bar, cocktails become almost design objects. The bar is located in the historic Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel in Bratislava and combines dark wood, velvet and botanical elements with striking presentations. Bespoke glassware, ceramics and sculptural objects by Slovak makers give the cocktails an extra dimension. In 2026, Mirror Bar also received the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award.

9. Paradiso - Barcelona

To enter Paradiso, you need to know where the door is. The entrance is hidden behind a refrigerator door in a pastrami shop, beyond which an striking interior with flowing wooden forms appears. The cocktails are equally distinctive: presentation and technique play as important a role as flavour. Paradiso is now an established name in the international bar scene and was named number one of The World's 50 Best Bars in 2022.

10. Connaught Bar - London 

The top ten closes with a London classic. Connaught Bar is located in the hotel of the same name in Mayfair and is known for its refined interior and meticulous service. One of the best-known rituals is the martini trolley, with which the cocktail is prepared at your table and composed to personal preference. A classic concept that shows innovation does not always mean abandoning tradition.