People love lists. They love reading them, and some of us love writing them. But more than anything, people love being on lists – but, naturally, only if it’s a good list. One of those ‘good list’ is the annual ‘Worlds Best Bars’ list, which has just been announce for 2023, and includes three Dubai bars in the Top 100.
Mimi Kakushi, Galaxy Bar and Ergo are the three bar to make the annual list, which is decided by a voting panel comprising 680 independent drinks experts, from renowned bartenders, educators and consultants to drinks writers and cocktail specialists from around the world.
Top of the pile for the region is Mimi Kakushi. Impressively sat in the 40th position on the World’s Best Bars list global list, the stunningly sleek bar immerses its guests into an oriental age back when 1920s Osaka was swinging to an Jazz beat, and merging modern art and western fashion into the nightlife of Japan. In just over two years, the boundary pushing bar in Dubai’s Four Seasons Resort complex has led the way in the UAE and this year it breaks the 50 Best list for the first time, winning the title for The Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa 2023.
In the silver medal position for the region is Dubai’s iconic Galaxy Bar. Occupying an intimate space that was once used as storage for an adjacent DIFC restaurant, Galaxy Bar now also occupies the 50th place on the World’s Best Bars list. Created by prolific Greek-South African restaurateur Natasha Sideris in 2019, Galaxy Bar has become renowned for its vibrant dining and nightlife scene making it one of Dubai’s most sought-after late-night lounges.
While the World’s Best Bars list was originally known for ranking the ‘Top 50’ bars around the world, for the past seven years it has also been releasing ranks 51-100. Which is helpful for Dubai’s third entry to the long list, Ergo.
Having only opened in 2022, it’s place on the third step on the podium is even more impressive. Ergo was developed by bar legend Jimmy Barrat – who describes the ambiance as retro-urban and “misfit-chic”. Barrat’s concept comes straight out of a 1980’s underground fantasy, with echoes of Barbarella, Kubrick and off-beats from infamous Studio 54. It is eclectic, yet familiar, powerful and progressive – and it is only bar in the Middle East to be ranked between 51 and 100 in 2023.
Thirsty? Looking for good vibes? Check out one of these three, and do let us know which one was your favourite.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023
- Sips, Barcelona – The Best Bar in Europe
- Double Chicken Please, New York – The Best Bar in North America
- Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
- Paradiso, Barcelona
- Connaught Bar, London
- Little Red Door, Paris
- Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
- Tayēr + Elementary, London
- Alquímico, Cartagena, Colombia – The Best Bar in South America
- Himkok, Oslo – The Highest Climber
- Tres Monos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Line, Athens, Greece
- BKK Social Club, Bangkok – The Best Bar in Asia
- Jigger & Pony, Singapore
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney – The Best Bar in Australasia
- Salmon Guru, Madrid
- Overstory, New York
- Zest, Seoul – The Highest New Entry
- Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok – New Entry
- Coa, Hong Kong
- Drink Kong, Rome
- Hanky Panky, Mexico City
- Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, Australia – New Entry
- Café La Trova, Miami
- Baba au Rum, Athens
- CoChinChina, Buenos Aires
- Katana Kitten, New York
- Satan’s Whiskers, London
- Wax On, Berlin – New Entry
- Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
- Röda Huset, Stockholm – New Entry
- Sago House, Singapore – New Entry
- Freni e Frizioni, Rome – New Entry
- Argo, Hong Kong
- A Bar With Shapes For A Name, London
- The SG Club, Tokyo – A Re-Entry from No.18 in 2021
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
- The Cambridge Public House, Paris – New Entry
- Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Mimi Kakushi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – New Entry, The Best Bar in Middle East & Africa
- Scarfes Bar, London – New Entry
- 1930, Milan
- Carnaval, Lima, Peru
- L’Antiquario, Naples, Italy
- Baltra Bar, Mexico City
- Locale Firenze, Florence, Italy
- The Clumsies, Athens
- Atlas, Singapore – A Re-Entry from No. 16 in 2021
- Jewel Of The South, New Orleans – New Entry
- Galaxy Bar, Dubai
