Barcelona in Spain did well in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 by not only coming in at No. 1, but also at No. 4. If you feel like enjoying a drink or two at the best bar in the world, you now know where to go. Sponsored by Perrier, the World’s 50 Best Bars is an annual competition and the results were announced in Singapore on Tuesday, October 17.

About the World’s 50 Best Bars competition

The World’s 50 Best Bars competition first started in 2009 and has been regularly won by bars in either New York or London. However, in 2022, Barcelona started working its way up and a bar named Paradiso came up as No. 1. This year, another bar in Antoni Gaudi’s famous hometown named Sips won the top spot, pushing Paradiso down to No. 4 for this year.

Located in Barcelona’s iconic Eixample district, Sips is described as an intimate, cutting-edge cocktail bar. Meanwhile, the bar only opened in 2021 following the pandemic but even got to number 37 in that year’s awards.

The year 2022 saw Sips move up to win third place and now, after having only been open for two years, it has won the accolade of Best Bar in the World.

About Sips in Barcelona

Sips offers no reservations and there isn’t a spot to sit at the bar and gab. However, the mixologists, led by founders and owners Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, work from a circular counter in the center of the room. Then, the crafted cocktails are delivered to their customers, sitting at tables in the bar.

Speaking of the award, Caporale said, “We’re a small bar that opened in very uncertain times, but with a dream to prove that we could do something special.”

And that they have. On the bar’s Facebook page, Sips stresses the importance of a good “sonrisa” (smile), but obviously, good cocktails also do the trick. Located at Carrer de Muntaner 108, Barcelona, the bar describes itself as, “Sips, a new generation bar that combines a relaxed atmosphere, good music and a good selection.”

While the bar is so new, its website is still under construction, readers can browse their cocktails on the Sips Barcelona Facebook page here.

 Who else won in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 competition?

After Barcelona at No. 1, New York’s Double Chicken Please comes in No. 2. Next in line is Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy at No. 3 with London’s Connaught Bar at No. 5.

No. 4, of course, is another excellent bar in Barcelona, Spain, Paradiso, which has now dropped from No. 1. Located at Carrer Rera Palau, 4 in El Born, Barcelona, Paradiso also specializes in cocktails.

Besides the two Barcelona bars, only one other Spanish bar hit the top 50, with Salmon Guru in Madrid coming in at No. 16.

Make sure to visit Sips and Paradiso on your next visit to Barcelona, Spain! While there, remember to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites created by Antoni Gaudi. These include Parque Güell, Palacio Güell, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens, La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló and the Crypt in Colonia Güell, some of which are located in the Eixample neighborhood.