It’s official: the greatest bar in the world is in Britain. While the UK has long been celebrated for its pub culture, groundbreaking bartenders and world-leading cocktail talent, the 2025 Top 500 Bars ranking has confirmed what many drink lovers already suspected. Out of thousands of venues assessed across continents, languages and cultures, the number one bar on the planet is right here in the UK.
Panda & Sons, the greatest bar in the world, right here in Britain
Taking the global top spot is Panda & Sons in Edinburgha speakeasy-style haven tucked away beneath Queen Street. Founded in 2013 by award-winning bartender Iain McPherson, the bar has become known for its pioneering techniques, on-site distillation, and cocktails you truly won’t find replicated anywhere else.
More than just a numbers-driven victor, Panda & Sons has long been a favourite among cocktail insiders. This year alone it took home ‘Best Cocktail Menu’ at the 2025 Spirited Awards and was the only British bar outside London to feature in the latest global 50 Best ranking. Warm, imaginative and rooted in expert craft, it’s a richly deserving winner.
While Edinburgh may have taken the crown, London remains one of the world’s greatest drinking cities, with a remarkable six bars in the global top 50. From polished luxury to boundary-pushing creativity, the capital’s lineup showcases the full spectrum of British bartending brilliance.
Tayēr + Elementary
A fixture of global bar rankings, Tayēr + Elementary remains one of London’s most forward-thinking drinking destinations. Its dual-concept space – Tayēr for meticulous craft cocktails and Elementary for stripped-back classics continues to push boundaries in flavour, technique and service. The bar’s consistently high ranking reflects its influence far beyond the UK.
Connaught Bar
The Connaught Bar’s reputation is practically mythic. Known for its art-deco elegance, impeccable service and world-famous Martini trolley, it remains a benchmark for luxury hospitality worldwide. Each year, it proves that timeless style and world-class craft never go out of fashion.
Scarfes Bar
With its plush interiors, live jazz and fireside atmosphere, Scarfes Bar combines the sophistication of a gentleman’s club with the playfulness of a contemporary cocktail programme. Its menu often inspired by caricatures and storytelling makes it a uniquely immersive experience.
Satan’s Whiskers
A beloved East London institution, Satan’s Whiskers is the antithesis of pretension. Expect changing daily menus, hip-hop soundtracks and cocktails executed with razor-sharp precision. Its dive-bar-meets-world-class-cocktail-bar identity is what’s earned it a fiercely loyal following.
Lyaness
From the mind of Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr Lyan), Lyaness reinvents the cocktail playbook through ingredient-driven creations like ‘Oat Spirit’ and ‘Green Sauce’. Seated along the Thames in the Sea Containers building, it offers sweeping views matched by boundary-pushing drinks.
Spy Bar
One of London’s rising stars, Spy Bar makes its debut in the global top 50 with an intimate, imaginative approach to mixology. Its focus on seasonal ingredients and sleek, understated design has cemented it as one of the capital’s most exciting new players.
