Two Australian bars named in World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2023
Bars in Sydney and Melbourne have been named at number 15 and number 23 in the prestigious list announced at the World’s 50 Best Bar Awards in Singapore.
The World’s 50 Best Bars have been announced in Singapore, with two Australian bars included in the prestigious list voted by a global academy of bartenders, critics and other industry insiders.
Sydney’s Maybe Sammy was named Best Bar in Australasia (as it has been every year since opening in 2019) and secured number 15 spot in the top 50 with judges praising the bar’s “lighthearted atmosphere” while being “obviously very serious when it comes to the drinks.”
The Rocks’ bar has climbed 14 spots after being named number 29 in the list in 2022.
Melbourne CBD bar Caretaker’s Cottage was named at number 23, with judges praising the “part listening bar, part cocktail haven which was an actual church caretaker’s cottage and is now one of the best cocktail bars in the world”. It is the bar’s first time in the top 50 after being named at number 60 in last year’s longlist.
“We are so looking forward to getting home and seeing our team for a cuddle and a Guinness.”Rob Libecans, Caretaker’s Cottage
Rob Libecans, one of the directors of Caretaker’s Cottage, was at the awards ceremony. “When we found out we were beyond happy. But being here in Singapore, watching the numbers tick away was surreal.”
Rob and the team can’t wait to get back to Melbourne to celebrate. “We are so looking forward to getting home and seeing our team for a cuddle and a Guinness. We’re three best friends that opened a bar, and now we have this little crew of people that love our place just as much as we do.”
The tiny but mighty Little Lonsdale Street gem was also awarded The Age Good Food Guide Bar of the Year in 2023, with current Age Good Food Guide co-editor Ellen Fraser writing in last year’s guide: “Service is fast. It’s fun. Someone brought their dog along. Caretaker’s tears down the pomp and pretence so often associated with cocktails of this calibre, layering personality into an already character-filled space.”
Last week Melbourne bar Byrdi was the only Australian bar to be announced in the longlist of 51-100, coming in at number 61.
The number one bar in the world for 2023 was awarded to Spanish bar Sips, heralded by judges for being “one of the most innovative bars of all time”.
If the rapturous reaction of the Maybe Sammy and Caretaker’s Cottage teams upon the announcements were anything to go by, it’s set to be some party in Singapore.
Maybe Sammy, 115 Harrington St, The Rocks maybesammy.com
Caretaker’s Cottage, 139-141 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne caretakerscottage.bar
Byrdi, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne byrdi.com.au
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023
*New entries marked with an asterix
50. Galaxy Bar, Dubai, UAE
49. Jewel of the South, New Orleans, USA
48. Atlas, Singapore
47. The Clumsies, Athens, Greece
46. Locale Firenze, Florence, Italy
45. Baltra Bar, Mexico City, Mexico*
44. L’Antiquario, Naples, Italy
43. Carnaval, Lima, Peru
42. 1930, Milan, Italy
41. Scarfes Bar, London, UK*
40. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai, UAE*
39. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, UK
38. The Cambridge Public House, Paris, France*
37. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
36. The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan
35. A Bar With Shapes For A Name, London, UK
34. Argo, Hong Kong
33. Freni e Frizioni, Rome, Italy*
32. Sago House, Singapore*
31. Röda Huset, Stockholm, Sweden*
30. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
29. Wax On, Berlin, Germany*
28. Satan’s Whiskers, London, UK
27. Katana Kitten, New York City, USA
26. CoChinChina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
25. Baba au Rum, Athens, Greece
24. Café La Trova, Miami, USA
23. Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, Australia*
22. Hanky Panky, Mexico City, Mexico
21. Drink Kong, Rome, Italy
20. Coa, Hong Kong
19. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok, Thailand*
18. Zest, Seoul, South Korea*
17. Overstory, New York City, USA
16. Salmon Guru, Madrid, Spain
15. Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia
14. Jigger & Pony, Sinagpore
13. BKK Social Club, Bangkok, Thailand
12. Line, Athens, Greece
11. Tres Monos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
10. Himkok, Oslo, Norway
9. Alquimico, Cartagena, Colombia
8. Tayer + Elementary, London, UK
7. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico
6. Little Red Door, Paris, France
5. Connaught Bar, London, UK
4. Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
3. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico
2. Double Chicken Please, New York City, USA
1. Sips, Barcelona, Spain
Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.
Sign up
Andrea McGinniss is digital editor for Good Food.