The debate of which is the ‘best’ bar is on-going, and forever will be – however, putting in plenty of effort to adding some kind of system to rank them is ‘The World’s Best’ franchise who – yup, you guest it, – pride themselves on an annual ranking the world’s best bars.
While originally known for ranking the ‘Top 50’ bars around the world, for the past seven years it has also been releasing ranks 51-100 the week before revealing the sharp end of the list in Singapore on Oct 17.
The annual list is decided by a voting panel comprising 680 independent drinks experts, from renowned bartenders, educators and consultants to drinks writers and cocktail specialists.
Of this year’s 51-100 rankings, 14 new bars have made the list which spans 34 different cities across the world. One of those new bars is one of Dubai’s own: Ergo.
According to the list the high-end cocktail bar, located in The Dubai Edition in Downtown Dubai, is the 69th best bar on the planet. However, The World’s Best website does not offer an explanation or justification for any of the rankings above 50.
Having opened in Dubai in 2022, Ergo was developed by bar legend Jimmy Barrat – who describes the ambiance as retro-urban and “misfit-chic”. Ergo is a feel-good den for people in the know and on the go. 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.