Food + Drink

World’s 50 Best Bars announces 51-100 list for 2024, including KL’s Penrose

Three cheers!

08.10.2024

By Amanda Fung

IMAGES COURTESY OF WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS & PENROSE
World’s 50 Best Bars announces 51-100 list for 2024, including KL’s Penrose

Earlier today, World’s 50 Best Bars unveiled its 51-100 list for 2024, just two weeks ahead of its main awards ceremony in Madrid. This year marks the eighth edition of this extended list, which was launched in an effort to shine light on more establishments around the globe. A panel of over 700 independent cocktail experts, bartenders, educators, drinks writers, and experts combined their votes to decide which bars made the cut. On the list this year are bars spanning 35 different cities, including 12 new entries from Kuala Lumpur, Copenhagen, Dubai, Singapore, and more. 

Penrose’s team

Kuala Lumpur’s Penrose has made its inaugural appearance on the list, coming in at No. 98. “I’m extremely grateful and proud to see the Malaysian cocktail scene gaining recognition on the global stage,” shares founder and head bartender Jon Lee soon after learning of Penrose’s appearance on the list. “It’s a true testament to my team’s hard work and dedication in helping to build a stronger cocktail culture here in Malaysia.” 

Penrose’s Sahara

Just a couple of months ago, this Chinatown bar made history by being named No. 8 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, the highest a Malaysian establishment has ever ranked. “I’d like to thank my team, who have always supported my vision and our wonderful guests who continue to support us in ways we may never fully understand,” continues Lee in a quick chat with BURO today. “I’m also deeply grateful to the spirit brands that have contributed to our growth immensely, enabling us to expand our R&D with their backing. Lastly, thank you to the global bartending community, which has connected me with amazing individuals I know internationally.”

Dante, New York City

The United States tops the list with the most entries once again with seven bars named, four of which call New York home. Leading the Big Apple pack is re-entry Dante at No. 70, followed by Katana Kitten at No. 80, Attaboy at No. 84 and Employees Only at No. 97. Arca in Mexico’s Tulum comes in at No. 55, the top of the country’s five entries. 

The Savory Project, Hong Kong

Back in Asia, Singapore takes the lead with three bars: new entry Cat Bite Club (No. 56), Night Hawk (No. 74), and Native (No. 67). Meanwhile, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand each claim two bars on the list. Hong Kong’s Argo placed at No. 58, whereas The Savory Project makes its debut on the list at No. 82. The Japanese capital is represented by The SG Club at No. 54 as well as The Bellwood at No. 89. Bangkok’s Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (No. 57) and Vesper (No. 85) make up the Thai duo on the list. 

Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou

Hiritekiya’s Smoke & Bitters breaks through as the first ever Sri Lankan bar to be named on the list at No. 86. Seoul’s Bar Cham also appears at No. 71, a few spots behind Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame at No. 63. 

The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens

Europe claims 18 entries on the list with Athens’ The Bar in Front of the Bar taking top spot at No. 51, ahead of two other Greek bars. The United Kingdom takes four spots on the list, with three of them being new entries: Kwãnt Mayfair (No. 52), Amaro (No. 90) and Viajante87 (No. 99). A Bar with Shapes For a Name returns to the list at No. 61. The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony host city Madrid is home to one bar on the list, Angelita at No. 65. 

Sin + Tax, Johannesburg

As for Australia, Sydney and Melbourne claim a bar each with Cantina OK! (No. 96) and Above Board (No. 100) respectively. LPM Dubai is the United Arab Emirates’ sole entry, debuting at No. 76. Nairobi’s Hero Bar comes in at No.75, whereas Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax takes No. 81. 

World's 50 Best Bars 2024
A Bar with Shapes For a Name, London
The full World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list 2024: 
  1. The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens
  2. Kwãnt Mayfair, London
  3. Freni e Frizioni, Rome
  4. The SG Club, Tokyo
  5. Arca, Tulum
  6. Cat Bite Club, Singapore
  7. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok
  8. Argo, Hong Kong
  9. Little Red Door, Paris
  10. The Clumsies, Athens
  11. A Bar with Shapes For a Name, London
  12. Mirror Bar, Bratislava
  13. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou
  14. Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
  15. Angelita, Madrid
  16. Café La Trova, Miami
  17. Native, Singapore
  18. Barro Negro, Athens
  19. Carnaval, Lima
  20. Bar Pompette, Toronto
  21. Bar Cham, Seoul
  22. Svanen, Oslo
  23. Wax On, Berlin
  24. Night Hawk, Singapore
  25. Hero Bar, Nairobi
  26. LPM Dubai, Dubai
  27. Bird, Copenhagen
  28. L’Antiquario, Naples
  29. Dante, New York
  30. Katana Kitten, New York
  31. Sin + Tax, Johannesburg
  32. The Savory Project, Hong Kong
  33. Baltra Bar, Mexico City
  34. Attaboy, New York
  35. Vesper, Bangkok
  36. Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya
  37. Rayo, Mexico City
  38. Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco
  39. The Bellwood, Tokyo
  40. Amaro, London
  41. Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen
  42. Camparino in Galleria, Milan
  43. Hanky Panky, Mexico City
  44. Red Frog, Lisbon
  45. Nouvelle Vague, Tirana
  46. Cantina OK!, Sydney
  47. Employees Only, New York
  48. Penrose, Kuala Lumpur
  49. Viajante87, London
  50. Above Board, Melbourne

 

 

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