World’s Best Bars: Three London venues named among world’s best drinking spots

Three London venues have made it onto the World’s Best Bars list top 100.

It comes just a week ahead of the list of the top 50 bars being revealed.

The annual list is decided by a panel of top drinks experts, from bartenders and drinks writers to cocktail specialists.

And three London drinking spots have made the list - which includes bars from 32 countries.

Three Sheets, Dalston

The three venues which made the list are Three Sheets, Side Hustle and Donovan Bar.

Three Sheets, on Kingsland Road, in Dalston, describes itself as an “award-winning neighbourhood cocktail bar”.

The venue, which came in 72nd place on the list from the 51 - 100 best bar, also serves Dead Good Coffee during the day and offers a bottled cocktail range via its website.

It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 1am.

Menu highlights from this week include the Earth Martini (vodka, beetroot, olive oil and dry vermouth), the Whisky Ginger (pickled ginger, suntroy toki and soda), and the My Lady Garden (Porter’s Tropical, raspberry, Petitgrain, lemon and egg white).

While cocktail prices range from £10-11, with beers and ciders £5 a pint.

Side Hustle, Covent Garden

Side Hustle, at the Old Police Station Entrance, on Bow Street in Covent Garden, is NoMad hotel’s “casual bar and restaurant, located in the former Bow Street Police Station”.

The menu is “influenced by the flavours of Mexico and an extensive collection of agave-based spirits” and the food on offer takes inspiration from southern California.

From oysters, ceviche and padron peppers, to tacos, churros and empanadas, it’s a feast for the senses, located just opposite the Royal Opera House.

While the venue - placing at 75 on the list - offers cocktails including the Batanga (El Tequileno Blanco, Amaro Averna, lime, house cola and amarena cherry), the Start Me Up (Michter’s Bourbon, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum, lemon, strega, ginger, and honey) and the Ma Cherie (Lustau Fino Sherry, green chartreuse, velvet falernum, pineapple, lime, cucumber, and celery).

Side Hustle is open Monday through Thursday from 5pm to 11.30pm; Friday from 5pm to 12am; Saturday from 3pm to 12am; and Sunday from 3pm to 12am.

Prices range from £10 to £18, with beers between £6 to £8.

The Donovan Bar, Mayfair

The Donovan Bar, in Brown’s Hotel, on Albemarle Street, in Mayfair, is a three-minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts.

It places at 89th on the list and describes itself as the “destination of choice for Mayfair’s most discerning sippers”, offering “intimate sophistication”, “playful decadence” and “scintillating cocktails”.

Inspired by namesake photographer Terence Donovan, the “stylish drinking den” is adorned with iconic 1960s prints and photography-themed accents.

While the “impeccable” menu is created by chief mixologist Salvatore Calabrese - a former president of the UK Bartender’s Guild - and features drinks inspired by iconic English figures from James Bond and Winston Churchill to Agatha Christie and even Winnie the Pooh.

The ‘From Mayfair With Love’ martini (Grey Goose vodka, calendula, Bombay premier cru gin, white wine reduction and black olive leaf tea) is inspired by author Kingsley Amis.

While the ‘Don’t Be Greedy’ mocktail (fig purée, apple juice, lemon juice, Earl Grey and vanilla tea, orange juice, and egg white) is inspired by the ‘whodunnit’ dame of crime herself.

Prices range from £20 to £25 for a cocktail, with vintage specials costing up to £300 and mocktails for £13.

The venue is open Monday to Wednesday from 4pm to 11pm and Thursday to Saturday from 4pm to 1am.

What is the World’s Best Bars list?

The World’s 50 Best Bars is an annual list that celebrates the international drinks industry.

It provides an annual ranking of bars voted for by 650 drinks experts from across the globe.

The 2022 edition is sponsored by Perrier, and will be unveiled in Barcelona on Tuesday, October 4.

William Reed Business Media own and organise the event, and are also behind the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

What has been said about the list?

Content director Mark Sansom said: “We decided to take the ceremony outside of London for the first time in order to shine a light on the other great cocktail cities of the world.

“We are delighted to see so many new cities appear on the extended list for the first time.

“All the bars announced today have continued, with outstanding resilience, to overcome the challenges that still face the industry.

“It gives us great pleasure to celebrate double the number of establishments and their achievements.”

2022 also marks the very first time a bar outside of London or Edinburgh has been represented on the 51-100 list, with Schofield’s Bar in Manchester placing at No.59.