Barcelona is always worth a visit but, as of 2023, cocktail connoisseurs will have an extra reason to swing by the Catalan capital.
The city is off to a strong start into the New Year, with no less than three Barna watering holes making it into The World’s 50 Best Bars list of 2022.
Not only that, but Barcelona cocktail bar Paradiso claimed the top spot of the annual ranking, with two further local premises – Sips Drinkery House and Two Schmucks – making it into the top ten.
First published in 2009, The World’s 50 Best Bars list is voted for by 650 drinks experts from across the globe, and is widely regarded as the ultimate international guide to the world’s top bars and drinking destinations.
Overall winner Paradiso has been climbing the renowned cocktail awards’ ranks since 2017, and took home the accolade of The World’s Best Bar 2022 as well as the title of The Best Bar in Europe 2022, both categories sponsored by Perrier (a sensible choice, perhaps).
Under the motto ‘a universe of temptations’, every year the speak-easy style haunt chooses a theme on which its signature mixology creations are based, and the concoctions are served up with plenty of drama and flair in the aesthetically pleasing wooden bar.
Inspired by this year’s prompt ‘Evolution Of Humankind’, one of the cocktails that helped secure Paradiso’s win is the On Fire, a take on a milk punch designed to share and made with bourbon, oloroso sherry, tahini, sweet potato and smoked milk.
Served in a clear, round dish, and set alight with a laser to smoke the Jerez wine inside, it is meant to represent our prehistoric ancestors huddling around a fire.
In third place, Sips Drinkery House scored the Nikka Highest Climber Award 2022. Headed up by world-class mixologists Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez, guests can expect to be wowed by cocktail craftsmanship of the highest level.
The Daiquri Heliodora, for example, is served on a base of grapefruit shaved ice made in a vintage Mexican hand-turned machine, with a larger-than-life pipette dropping sherry into your glass before the drink is completed with rum and lime.
Making up the final third of the impressive Barcelona trio in the top ten of the world’s best cocktail bars, Two Schmucks, located in the historical El Raval district, was awarded the #7 spot.
With an edgy, slightly ‘punky’ vibe and relaxed service, the bar strikes a fine balance between a classic cocktail dive and a five-star culinary experience. Many drinks on the ingredient-led menu have a ‘savoury lilt’ according to 50 Best, but customers preferring the classics can sip on all-time icons such as the Clean Cut Mojito.
Need more convincing? As well as being home to three of the world’s best cocktail bars, Barcelona was also recently voted ‘Best City’ in National Geographic UK’s Reader Awards.
We think it’s time to book a little weekend getaway!
Pssst… Did you know Ibiza has some incredible artistic cocktail bars, too? Check out our articles about Overall Ibiza and Café Caleta here and add them to your Little Black Book of White Isle watering holes.
Feature image via Two Schmucks.
