World’s 50 Best Bars: The Singapore bars that made the cut

Four bars from Singapore have made it to the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, including Jigger & Pony at No. 5, up from No. 14 in 2023.

Nutmeg & Clove in Purvis Street made its first foray into the top 50 list, placing at No. 28 (up from No. 64), while Atlas at Parkview Square was ranked No. 43 (up from No. 48).

Analogue Initiative at Chijmes – another first-timer in the top 50, despite its upcoming temporary closure in November – rounded up the Singapore entries at No. 47 (up from No. 78).

Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy snagged the No. 1 spot, becoming the first Mexican venue to top the World’s 50 Best Bars ranking. The drinking joint is known for its moody interiors, convivial hospitality and an inventive take on spirits that has produced concoctions such as its popular carbonated pina colada highball.  

Having placed No. 3 in 2023, it effectively swopped places with the top bar for the year – Barcelona’s Sips, which took the No. 3 spot on the 2024 list. 

While accepting the award on stage during the ceremony in Madrid, Handshake co-founder Rodrigo Urraca said: “There are no words... we were going to disappear due to the pandemic.”

He added that Handshake is “still alive” and “dreams come true”, thanks to the continuing recognition on the 50 Best Bars list.

The bar also topped the North America’s 50 Best Bars ranking, which was announced in April. 

Meanwhile, Jigger & Pony’s co-founder and managing director Indra Kantono told The Straits Times that its ranking as the island’s top bar was “truly a collective effort”.

“We’re a family, and the recognition we receive is a reflection of the great work happening at every level of the Jigger & Pony Group, which includes Gibson, Live Twice, Sugarhall and even our restaurants such as Rosemead,” he said.

“At the core, it’s about hospitality. We will always remain focused on evolving and pushing the boundaries of our craft.”

Mr Colin Chia, founder of Nutmeg & Clove and chief executive of the Nutmeg Collective, said the team was “deeply honoured and profoundly grateful” to be in the top 50 list.

“It is an incredible affirmation of our team’s passion and dedication, especially this year as we celebrate a decade of showcasing Singapore’s vibrant culture through the artistry of food and cocktails,” he added.

A fifth Singapore bar was also celebrated during the awards ceremony on Oct 22: Cat Bite Club in Duxton Road, which received the Campari One To Watch Award. Earlier in October, it placed No. 56 on the 51-100 list of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024.

The bar was co-founded in 2023 by industry veterans Jesse Vida, a former head bartender at cocktail bar Atlas, and Gabriel Lowe, former bar manager of Paradise Lost in Bangkok.

Mr Vida, Cat Bite Club’s operating partner, attributes the 16-month-old venue’s success to its emphasis on and priority towards hospitality “It’s all about the people we serve and the people who serve them,” he says.

Singapore had the most bars on the top 50 list out of any Asian city or country. Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong each had two, including BKK Social Club (No. 12) and Bar Us (No. 41); Bar Benfiddich (No. 25) and Virtu (No. 42); and Bar Leone (No. 2) and Coa (No. 18) respectively.

Seoul’s Zest also made the list at No. 9, in addition to winning the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award.

Bar Leone’s No. 2 placing is notable because it is the first time that the casual Italian-inspired watering hole has appeared on any of the World’s Best Bar rankings. It was not in the 51-100 list in 2023, having opened only early that year.

In July 2024, the venue – in Hong Kong’s bustling Central neighbourhood – leapt to the top spot of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars, the first time a new entry had hit No. 1 across all the Best Bars rankings.

Its exceptional performance netted it the Disaronno Highest New Entry awards for both Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and World’s 50 Best Bars 2024.

The World’s Best Bars ranking – owned and organised by British media company William Reed Business Media since 2009 – is voted on by an international academy of more than 700 drinks experts, including bartenders and drinks writers.

Each voter casts eight votes based on his or her best bar experiences of the previous 18 months.

Three Singapore bars were named to the 51-100 list of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 on Oct 9: Cat Bite Club (No. 56), Native in Amoy Street (No. 67) and Night Hawk in Tanjong Pagar Road (No. 74). Native was ranked No. 83 in the 2023 list, while the other two venues were new entries.

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Top 10 bars in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024

1. Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City)
2. Bar Leone (Hong Kong)
3. Sips (Barcelona)
4. Tayer + Elementary (London)
5. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)
6. Line (Athens)
7. Tres Monos (Buenos Aires)
8. Alquimico (Cartagena)
9. Zest (Seoul)
10. Paradiso (Barcelona)

This article was originally published in The Straits Times.