by Amy Plitt and the Editors of Condé Nast Traveler
Courtesy The Freehand Miami
What makes a bar truly great? We tapped mixologists, bartenders, cocktail kingpins, and professional drinkers to find out -- and their picks include upscale drinking dens and gritty dive bars, places with world-class cocktail menus or a vibe that just keeps you coming back every Thursday. Read on for our list of the greatest bars in the world.
1. Angel's Share, New York, NY
"I absolutely love The Easter Gibson at Angel's Share in Manhattan's East Village. It's made with AO Japanese Rice Vodka, Junmai Daiginjo Sake, Rakkyo onion, and thin sliced cucumber. The fact that you need to go through a Japanese restaurant called Village Yokocho, climb a set of stairs, and know to look for a nondescript, unmarked wooden door to enter makes it pretty cool. Inside, the drinks are made with a unique Japanese precision and sensibility that separates it from the rest of the New York speakeasy crowd. It has a special place in my heart as I used to take my wife Becky there on dates."--Chris Cannon, owner of Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen in Morristown, New Jersey
Photo by Jennifer Che
2. Arnaud's French 75, New Orleans, LA
"I like to have a French 75 and a Sazerac, mostly with bartender Chris Hannah. This bar is so special to me because it has one of the best, most professional, and dapper bartenders on the planet who makes excellent concoctions. We walk out with a great experience and a smile on our faces."--Julio Cabrera, head bartender at the Regent Cocktail Club in Montauk, NY
Courtesy Arnaud's French 75
3. The Broken Shaker, Miami, FL
"The Broken Shaker makes me feel like I have a home away from home. In the past when traveling to Miami, I often felt overwhelmed with large corporate venues or a lack of individuality, personality, and soul, and The Broken Shaker was the definitive answer to that problem. With their extremely well thought out tropical aesthetic to the drinks that are perfect for the place, some of the best bartenders in the land, and the opportunity to go sit by the pool, it's a winning combination."--Josh Harris, co-founder, Bon Vivants (San Francisco's Trick Dog, Pig & Punch)
Courtesy The Freehand Miami
4. California Clipper, Chicago, IL
"The Amaro Shaved Ice is the most refreshing drink--the shaved ice allows the amaro to mellow enough to really taste the different nuances. The Clipper is an old bar from the '30s that has lots of red leather and wood. It has an old-school jukebox which allows me to control the music. I like to go late on Thursdays, and stay until they kick me out."--Doug Psaltis, restaurateur (RPM Steak, RPM Italian, Bub City, and Three Dots and a Dash)
Courtesy California Clipper
5. Canon, Seattle, WA
"They have achieved a difficult harmony between attention to detail and casual ambiance. Making drinks to order takes time, making really good drinks with great ingredients and innovative recipes takes even more time, and when guests want you to make a "dealer's choice," and either come up with something on the spot or pull something out of the depths of your Moleskine, you can really get bogged down. They balance that amount of guest attention and the need to serve many, rapidly; they use the decor to announce that you can arrive here in a suit or from a Gap photo shoot and still feel comfortable; and they have the most incredible selection of whiskey I have ever seen. A lot of people have a ton of whiskey, but Canon has the most drool-worthy list. It's so big it's on an iPad."--Kyle Davidson, chief mixologist, Blackbird (Chicago)
Courtesy Canon
6. Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drink, Boston, MA
"The bar team at Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drink views the drink process as a conversation. For example, they listen to what is happening around them and craft their beverage selection with a point of view in mind. Their specialty is creating distinctively classic cocktails utilizing house made vermouth, house infusions and bitters from around the world. The drink list at Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drink changes frequently with the seasons. But, my current favorite cocktail would have to be the 'Remember the Maine' which is made with rye whiskey, vermouth, cherry heering, and absinthe."--Chris Himmel, owner of Boston restaurants like Post 390 and Grill 23 & Bar
Courtesy Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drink
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