Europe’s bar scene has gained a new dedicated ranking with the launch of Europe’s 50 Best Bars. The inaugural list was revealed during a ceremony in Amsterdam on 30 June 2026, celebrating cocktail venues from more than 20 cities across the continent. The ranking follows the success of Asia’s 50 Best Bars and North America’s 50 Best Bars, giving Europe’s diverse cocktail culture its own platform. From established destinations such as London and Barcelona to emerging names like Bratislava and Tirana, the list highlights the growing appeal of cocktail tourism across Europe.
The first-ever title of Europe’s Best Bar went to Line in Athens. Located inside a former art warehouse, the venue has become known for combining innovative cocktails with sustainability. Rather than discarding leftover ingredients, the team reuses by-products to create drinks such as the Delusional Margarita, made with ketchup, mustard and potato water, and the Why-Ins, prepared with every fruit except grapes. Athens dominated the inaugural edition of the ranking, with The Bar in Front of the Bar taking second place, while Barro Negro, Baba au Rum and The Clumsies also secured spots on the list.
London was named Europe’s Cocktail Capital after recording the highest number of entries in the ranking. Eight bars from the British capital were recognised, led by Connaught Bar, which placed 10th overall. Other London venues included Satan’s Whiskers, Tayēr + Elementary, Waltz, Kwãnt Mayfair, Three Sheets (Soho) and Scarfes Bar. Together, they reflect the city’s wide range of cocktail experiences, from luxury hotel bars to neighbourhood favourites and modern experimental venues.
The ranking also demonstrates that some of Europe’s most exciting cocktail destinations are found beyond the continent’s traditional capitals. Mirror Bar in Bratislava reached eighth place, while Nouvelle Vague in Tirana ranked 16th. Cities including Krakow, Prague, Zurich, Thessaloniki and Innsbruck also earned places, showing that travellers can discover award-winning bars in destinations that are often overlooked for cocktail culture. Barcelona, Paris and Milan also performed strongly, with several venues from each city appearing throughout the ranking.
Another noticeable trend is the variety of buildings that now house Europe’s leading cocktail bars. Panda & Sons in Edinburgh is hidden behind the façade of a traditional barbershop, while Svanen in Oslo occupies a beautifully preserved pharmacy dating back to 1896. In Rome, Freni e Frizioni welcomes guests inside a former mechanic’s workshop. Many venues also place sustainability at the centre of their concept by using seasonal local ingredients, reducing waste and finding creative ways to reuse products that would otherwise be discarded.
