Melbourne bar ranked best in Australasia and 19 in world | Australian food and drink
For close followers of the year The 50 Best Bars in the World Despite this praise, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage and Sydney’s Maybe Sammy being recognized.
Caretaker’s Cottage has been named Australasia’s Best Bar for the second year in a row, placing it 19th globally in the awards list announced at an event in Hong Kong on 8 October.
Bar Leone from Hong Kong ranked first in the global list, while Handshake Speakeasy from Mexico City ranked second and Sips from Barcelona ranked third.
Describing itself as “arguably Victoria’s smallest pub”, Caretaker’s Cottage has “become a must-visit destination for locals and travelers alike” since its opening in 2022, the list’s website says. Owners Matt Stirling, Ryan Nordics and Rob Libecans said they were “stunned” by the news of their top spot in the region in 2024.
The bar’s signature martini, “served cold from the freezer”, was one of the reasons it was placed in the top 20 by the judges. It has moved up two places since 2024.
Perhaps voted Australasia’s Best Bar four years in a row from 2019 to 2022, Sydney’s Sammy’s came in at number 42.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized in the World’s 50 Best Bars list for the seventh year in a row, a milestone that means a lot to us,” the restaurant’s owners said in a post on social media. Founder Stefano Catino said they were now more profitable and proud to put “Sydney on the global cocktail map”, arguing they could be a better venue than when they were first named.
Melbourne’s Byrdi ranks 91st on the longlist this year, down from 35th in 2024. New Sydney bar Tigra and Disco Pantera, which opened in 2024, were awarded the award. Best Bar Design Because of its 1970s aesthetic and use of recycled materials.
“Every element of the rich ambient space has been carefully selected: a back bar made from wood cuts in the front fascia, articulated illustrator lamps from Walt Disney Studios and a sound system salvaged from a now-closed Sydney nightclub,” the judges said.
The awards were judged by a panel of 800 experts from around the world, including bartenders and beverage writers. Voters’ names are kept secret to prevent lobbying, and the award includes 29 academy presidents in different regions to “further ensure fair representation”.
