Europe’s 50 Best Bars unveils its special award categories and reveals the Academy Chairs for its first-ever ranking.
50 Best, the organisation behind The World’s 50 Best Bars, has revealed the 10 special award categories and the selected Academy Chairs for the inaugural edition of Europe’s 50 Best Bars. The list of Europe’s 50 Best Bars 2026, along with the winners of the special awards, will be unveiled at a live awards ceremony later this year. The date and location will be announced in the coming months.
The ranking is compiled from the votes of 300 gender-balanced, anonymous experts drawn from across Europe’s bar industry. The voting panel — the Europe’s 50 Best Bars Academy — comprises a balanced mix of bartenders, bar owners, drinks media professionals and well-travelled cocktail connoisseurs.
Academy members are selected by 11 Academy Chairs, each representing one of Europe’s sub-regions. While the Academy Chairs also serve on The World’s 50 Best Bars, the Europe-focused voting panel operates entirely independently. Voting for each list takes place at different times, assesses distinct geographical regions and reflects separate experiences. During the voting period, Academy members are asked to select their best bar experiences across Europe.
To ensure the ranking remains dynamic and truly reflective of the breadth and diversity of Europe’s bar landscape, 50 Best actively encourages Academy Chairs to identify and nominate new voters for this dedicated regional Academy.
“We’re thrilled to reveal the special awards categories for the Europe’s 50 Best Bars ranking, recognising both individuals and establishments that have demonstrated distinct excellence within the European bar world. These additional awards are designed to complement the ranking itself and act as further accolades for best-in-class bars and individuals. We’re confident they will offer the cocktail-loving community valuable insight into the venues and people who are truly leading the drinks industry. We are incredibly grateful to our Europe-based Academy Chairs, who, alongside their work with The World’s 50 Best Bars, will now help identify the very best that the region has to offer.” says Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Europe’s 50 Best Bars. Read our interview with Emma Sleight here.
Announced ahead of the awards ceremony
Ahead of the ceremony, 50 Best will reveal the winners of two special awards celebrating the exceptional achievements of one bar and one bartender over the past year:
Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award
This Michter-sponsored award celebrates the vital role of hospitality within the bar experience, recognising a venue that has delivered outstanding warmth, service and guest engagement during the voting period.
Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award
Sponsored by Altos Tequila, this prestigious peer-voted award recognises a bartender who has earned the respect of fellow professionals for their skill, innovation and contribution to the industry.
Special Awards Categories
One To Watch Award
Recognises a rising-star bar in Europe that the 50 Best organisation believes has the potential to feature in a future edition of the Europe’s 50 Best Bars list.
Roku Industry Icon Award
Sponsored by Roku, this award celebrates an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry and has been a positive force within the bar sector over the course of their career.
Three Cents Best New Opening Award
Sponsored by Three Cents, this award honours the most impressive new bar opening on the European bar scene.
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award
Sponsored by Ketel One, this award champions a bar in Europe that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainability. It recognises pioneers of eco-conscious hospitality and assesses business practices across three core areas: environment, society and procurement.
Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award
With Siete Misterios as the official partner, this award recognises exceptional creativity, storytelling and innovation in cocktail menus that reflect a bar’s identity while inspiring guests to explore new flavours and experiences.
Best Bar Design Award
This award shines a spotlight on the importance of design in hospitality, celebrating innovative and thoughtfully conceived spaces that excel in aesthetics, sustainability and functionality. Entries are judged on six criteria: Innovation, Aesthetics, Accessibility, Ergonomics, Ecological Compatibility and Emotional Quotient.
Best in Destination Award
The highest-ranked bar in each region represented in Europe’s 50 Best Bars 2026 will be named Best Bar in its respective destination, celebrating the passion, talent and dedication behind Europe’s vibrant bar scene.
The Best Bar in Europe 2026, sponsored by Perrier
The programme culminates in the announcement of The Best Bar in Europe, the No.1 venue in the ranking, sponsored by Perrier.
Source: The World’s 50 Best Bars
