World’s 50 Best Bars awards come to Barcelona in October

The World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony will be coming to Barcelona this autumn for its annual prize-giving, with a series of events to celebrate the global bar community.

Having taken place in London every year since its inception in 2012, this year marks the first edition of the ceremony outside the British capital, with plans to take the prestigious awards outside Europe in 2023.

In 2021’s list, no fewer than three bars in the city made the cut, with Paradiso reaching as high as third place, only behind two bars in London. Visitors to the El Born bar have to pass through a fridge door at the back of a pastrami shop to reach the majestic décor and elaborate drinks.

The other bars on the list were Two Schmucks, the El Raval establishment which successfully combines a laid-back party atmosphere with a menu of professional drinks reaching 11th position; and the brand-new open plan Sips in 37th.

The unveiling of 2022’s winner will be announced on October 4 in the Catalan capital, with over 1,000 internationally renowned guests.

The announcement was made on Wednesday at a press conference attended by Jaume Collboni, the deputy mayor of Barcelona; Francesc Escolà, General Manager of official host partners, Comercial Escolà SL; Tim Brooke-Webb, the Managing Director of The World's 50 Best Bars and tourism and creative industries city councillor Xavier Marcé.

Brooke-Webb explained at the press event that the decision to move the presentation to the Catalan capital aims “to support the growth and notoriety of the Barcelona brand as a reference destination in the world of cocktails and gastronomic leisure”, while Escolà added that it “is a great opportunity to give visibility to the world of bartending and, above all, to recognize Barcelona's position as one of the world's leading capitals of gastronomic leisure”.

Before the ceremony, however, there will be a series of drinks-related events, such as a Bartenders’ Feast the day before, Barcelona’s first cocktail week from October 1 to 9, featuring a week of cocktail-related event, such as masterclasses and presentation; and the ‘Spirit Essence’ team cocktail competition, whose final is on October 5, aimed at discovering new talents in the cocktail world. Participants will be given €70,000 in training grants, with an extra €36,000 going to the winner.

Furthermore, there will be two more awards given out before festivities get up and running, the Michter’s Art of Hospitality prize on August 31, offered to the bar with the single best hospitality experience; and the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender on September 13, awarded to the best head bartender from the complete list of bars on the ranking.

On September 27, the 51-100 list will also be released.

The accolade is voted on by an esteemed Academy of over 650 anonymous drinks aficionados from around the globe, taking into account the travel restrictions that may have been in place in the past 18 months.

The countdown of the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, sponsored by Perrier, will also be broadcast live to a global audience via 50 Best’s digital channels. Bars and cocktail lovers are invited to join through The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV channel on YouTube.