The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 has been revealed, with Sydney’s Tigra + Disco Pantera winning the Best Bar Design Award.

Judged by an esteemed panel of hospitality design experts, bars from anywhere in the world were invited to submit their venues for consideration.

Located in the Quay Quarter Lanes precinct, Tigra + Disco Pantera comprises two distinct yet complementary spaces created by Scottish brothers Gordon and Ross Purnell.

Tigra embraces the vibrant laneway cultures of Barcelona and Tokyo, influenced by Joan Miró’s playful modernism, while Disco Pantera channels the retro glamour of 1970s New York, featuring vintage lighting, reclaimed materials and standout elements like a hand-sculpted teak bar front.

Together, they offer a vibrant, dual-level experience that reflects a commitment to creative reuse, cultural homage and
experiential design, offering guests a multi-sensory journey through art, cocktails and atmosphere.

Two Australian bars were also named among the top 50. Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage took out the number one spot in Australasia and landed at No. 19 worldwide, marking its second consecutive year on the list.

Sydney’s Maybe Sammy came in at number 42, the venue’s seventh year in a row on the list.

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list features venues from 29 cities globally, with Hong Kong’s Bar Leone named The World’s Best Bar 2025 and The Best Bar in Asia 2025. The achievement marks the first time a bar in Asia has taken the No.1 position.

Nestled in Hong Kong’s vibrant Central district, Bar Leone is the brainchild of renowned bartender Lorenzo Antinori, whose storied resume encompasses some of Europe and Asia’s most beloved hotel bars, including London’s American Bar at The Savoy and Dandelyan (now defunct).

Built on the philosophy of ‘cocktail popolari’ – or ‘cocktails for the people’ – Bar Leone pays tribute to the neighbourhood bars of Rome, where locals gather for coffee, aperitivi and casual conversation. The interior is a love letter to the city in the 1980s and ’90s and is designed to be approachable, unpretentious and deeply rooted in Italian culture and hospitality.

A Roman by birth, Antinori’s goal was to strip away the complexity of modern mixology and return to simple, high-quality drinks, served with warmth and precision. As such, the cocktail menu comes in the form of a rotating Google Docs file, updated monthly and including the full recipe and method to ensure each drink is fully accessible to everyone.

Bar Leone opened in June 2023 and quickly rose to fame, making its debut on the world stage the following year at No.1 on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and No.2 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, both unrivalled feats. Earlier this year, it was
once again named The Best Bar in Asia at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, said: “It is such a delight to unveil Bar Leone as The World’s Best Bar 2025, sponsored by Perrier.

“Not only is this remarkable achievement the first time a bar from Asia has claimed the top spot but it is a dazzling testament to the commitment of Lorenzo and the entire Bar Leone team to redefining hospitality excellence. We are deeply honoured to spotlight the extraordinary diversity of the global bar landscape in 2025 and we raise a glass to every bar that has earned their place in this year’s list.

“With more cocktail capitals represented than ever before, this ranking continues to serve as a vibrant compass for curious
drinkers and passionate explorers alike – igniting wanderlust and raising the bar for cocktail culture across the globe.”