The Top 10 International Hotel Bars

The Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh. Credit:
Courtesy of Elephant Bar, Raffles Hotel Le Royal

For a hotel bar to become a bona fide drinking destination, it doesn’t just need to get the basics right — it needs to be distinctive, a bar that becomes the reason for choosing one hotel over another. The world’s best hotel bars balance polish with personality, offering experiences that feel both effortless and deeply considered. They must welcome jet-lagged travelers and discerning locals with equal warmth, delivering consistency night after night while still feeling special.

Exceptional service is the foundation: teams who remember guest preferences, anticipate needs, and read the room with ease. Beyond that, great hotel bars are defined by a strong sense of place. They tell stories through music, art, design, ingredients, and ritual, grounding themselves in their location with global influences that play on the heartstrings of thirsty travelers. It’s this combination of hospitality, atmosphere, and a cocktail program that sweats the details that elevates a bar into a destination — and catches the attention of our expert panel of Tastemakers.

For the fourth edition of Food & Wine’s annual Global Tastemakers Awards, our top 10 international hotel bars span continents and cultures, from storied British institutions like the iconic Dukes Bar to innovative newcomers in Asia such as Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong’s impressive Argo bar.

Despite their differences, they’re united in ambition. Whether you’re indulging in The Aubrey’s unrivaled cocktail omakase, enjoying a Sunset Spritz with Mount Etna in the distance, or learning about Ecuador through its native botanicals at Casa Gangotena, you’ll find that each bar offers an experience greater than the sum of its parts. These are places where food, wine, and cocktails converge to become something worth traveling for.

These are the 10 international hotel bars our Global Tastemakers deemed destination-worthy in 2026. Bars that don’t just belong to great hotels, but define them.

01 of 10

Winner: Claridge's Bar at Claridge’s (London)

Clardige's hotel bar in London — Courtesy of Claridge’s

Claridge’s Bar in the heart of Mayfair, London, is a landmark of understated Art Deco elegance designed by David Collins Studio. It’s the ideal destination for drinkers whose modus operandi is Martini, fries, Champagne, caviar, repeat — a fashionable haven for hedonists who like to role-play Marilyn Monroe while out on the town.

Style is preferred to theater, which means the bar may not be reinventing the wheel as far as cocktails and techniques are concerned, but rest assured, the Dry Martini, featuring Claridge’s Gin produced with The Boatyard Distillery, and the signature Garibaldi, which gets a dose of passionfruit, are more than enough to keep guests glued to their plush seats for the foreseeable.

02 of 10

The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental (Hong Kong)

The Aubrey main bar and drawing room at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, Hong Kong. — Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental

Hong Kong’s hotel bars are a special breed. And The Aubrey, a multi-concept cocktail and dining space inspired by Japanese izakayas, is as impressive as they come — and not just because of the bar’s sweeping views of Victoria Harbour from the 25th floor.

Book the Omakase Cocktail experience for a memorable chef’s table–style affair where the bartender whisks up bespoke creations with Japanese spirits like shochu, awamori, and umeshu, paired with exquisite bites from the pedigreed kitchen. Or simply dive into their current Art of Shibumi menu, which showcases cocktails like the savory Shizen Sour, made with Nikka Whisky From The Barrel, brandy, pistachio, caramel, miso, citrus, and togarashi spice.

03 of 10

El Bar at Casa Gangotena (Quito, Ecuador)

El Bar at Casa Gangotena in Quito, Ecuador. — Photo by Tom Allport

Nestled in a historic mansion overlooking Quito’s Plaza San Francisco, The Bar at Casa Gangotena instantly immerses customers in the country’s rich cultural identity — and this essence of Ecuador is also threaded through the vibrant cocktails.

Ingredients sourced from the most remote corners of the country’s diverse terroir include rare plants and flowers from the Andes, such as cacao that’s transfigured into a distillate; Amazonian spices; and aromatic palo santo resin from the coast. The bar’s Fiesta menu interprets six iconic national celebrations through imaginative libations. The Corn Festival, celebrating the corn harvest every September through the exchange of different varieties and the production of a fermented corn beverage called chicha, is represented by a mix of bourbon, corn, gooseberry IPA, and gin. Each sip is a sensory journey through the country's regions and traditions — an ideal bar experience when visiting a place less traveled.

04 of 10

The Collins Club at The Leinster (Dublin)

The Collins Club at The Leinster hotel in Dublin — Photo by Rachel Taylor

Named in homage to the late Dublin-born architect and designer David Collins (whose eponymous studio designed this year’s top pick, Claridge’s Bar), The Collins Club, a sultry cocktail lounge and supper club, is where Georgian glamor meets modern mixology. Take the bar’s advice and approach the experience with curiosity, as it’s — per the blatant statement on the cocktail menu — “the key to discovery.”

The technique-laden cocktails found on the menu are epitomized by serves such as the luscious Butter Old Fashioned. Brown butter washes a blend of Irish whiskeys for a fatty mouthfeel and flavor akin to rich apple pie; this is combined with bourbon, orange bitter aperitif, Licor 43, and maple syrup. Every cocktail on the menu is represented by a photo of the drink itself, which is dissected at a near chemical level with details of its alcohol content, flavor characteristics, and every detail a guest needs to understand what to expect before the actual liquid reaches their coaster. With immersive experiences like curated tasting flights and the Champagne Cha Cha brunch series with live jazz, The Collins Club has a little bit of something for everyone.

05 of 10

BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (Bangkok)

The BKK Social Club at the Four Seasons in Bangkok. — BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

Widely regarded as one of Asia’s best hotel bars, BKK Social Club blends the Four Seasons’ quintessential glamorous design with Latin American flair and warm hospitality. The current menu celebrates Mexico’s vibrant locales. The Chiapas, an uplifting serve modeled after the ever-popular Espresso Martini, mixes Bacardi Reserva Ocho rum with Mr. Black coffee liqueur, popcorn, and amaro, while bottled cocktails, fine wines, and cigars round out the high-end offerings. It really is the crown jewel of Bangkok’s burgeoning bar scene.

06 of 10

Bar Timeo at Grand Hotel Timeo (Taormina, Italy)

A bartender makes drinks at hotel Belmond's Timeo Bar in Taormina, Italy — Courtesy of Belmond

With breathtaking panoramas of Mount Etna and the Bay of Taormina, Bar Timeo doesn’t need to convince prospective visitors to enjoy a spritz or three on its cliffside terrace. This is a setting that sells itself.

Cocktails, such as the signature Sunset Spritz — a blend of passionfruit-and-strawberry-infused Aperol, maracuja cordial, Sicilian sparkling rosé, and ginger beer — are designed as vehicles for celebration and companions for some of Italy’s most captivating sunsets. The bar’s vibe shifts seamlessly from relaxed midafternoon aperitivo to romantic golden hour drinks and live music evenings, all framed by attentive service that’s a subtle reminder of why Italian hospitality is some of the finest.

07 of 10

Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal (Phnom Penh)

The Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. — Courtesy of Elephant Bar, Raffles Hotel Le Royal

With its timeless charm — vaulted ceilings, frescoed walls, leather armchairs — and robust cocktail menu, Elephant Bar makes it easy to become a regular while you’re staying at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

The bar’s signature cocktail, the Femme Fatale, was famously concocted for Jacqueline Kennedy during her visit in 1967. That elegant mix of Champagne, Cognac, and strawberry cream liqueur has, rightfully, been a mainstay on the menu ever since. Meanwhile, offerings such as the bar’s own gin label (Elephant Bar dry gin); its own exclusive bottling of Sipsmith, dubbed Raffles 1915; and a bottled Negroni to take home as a souvenir showcase the Elephant Bar of today. From infusions that champion the best of Cambodian produce to monthly themed menus, master classes, and daily happy hours, the Elephant Bar is a must-visit for sophisticated sipping in Cambodia.

08 of 10

Argo at Four Seasons Hotel (Hong Kong)

The Argo bar at the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong. — Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

Since its debut in 2021, Argo has rapidly distinguished itself as one of the world’s most innovative cocktail destinations, sweeping up countless awards in the process. At the heart of the creative concept is a desire to explore the future of drinking. And so drinks are developed with one question in mind: “What will we be sipping on when ingredients run out or demand for spirits can't be met?”

On the current menu, dubbed “Combinations” and presented in a striking pink triangular booklet, cocktails explore the flavors of single ingredients — such as bergamot, pineapple, and marigold — and how they evolve when paired with other elements. Minimalist cocktails such as the Bergamot & Wood Gimlet are essential. Served in a round wooden vessel with frozen wooden balls in place of ice cubes, this drink also comes with a complimentary housemade bergamot and sandalwood hand cream to apply before taking a sip for an enhanced aroma. If it sounds lavish, that shouldn’t be a surprise at a bar as opulent as the glitzy Argo.

09 of 10

Dukes Bar at Dukes London (London)

Dukes Bar, Dukes Hotel, London. — Photo by Jason Bailey for Dukes Bar

A bucket-list destination for any Martini lover. Not only is it the place where James Bond author Ian Fleming is said to have penned the infamous line “shaken, not stirred,” Dukes is also home to the equally infamous Direct Martini, an undiluted frozen spirit with a dash of vermouth.. If you’re lucky, you’ll have yours served tableside by bartending legend Alessandro Palazzi, who has been head bartender since 2007. Full of sprezzatura, the bar’s master of ceremonies transforms the regal hotel bar into a space that feels more like his sitting room — a testament to the warm and personal hospitality every customer receives at Dukes.

10 of 10

The Lounge at Aman (Tokyo)

Set on the 33rd floor, Aman Tokyo’s Lounge offers cinematic views with a cocktail menu just as impressive. Sit by the triple-height windows for an aerial look at the Imperial Palace gardens and, on clear days, a Mount Fuji sunset. At The Lounge, Aman’s signature warm, considered hospitality welcomes hotel patrons and visitors alike. The all-day menu flows from morning into cocktail hour, but the seasonal afternoon tea is worth the trip alone: During peak strawberry season, berries arrive in a jewel box alongside a tower of sweet and savory pastries made to be paired with Champagne or luxurious teas.

The Lounge livens at cocktail hour. Order the signature Yuzu Martini with a citrus snap and herbaceous finish (the nonalcoholic version is just as good, too). Drinks come with a three-tier box of bites — a crunchy sesame snack, a crisp butter sandwich, and a sweet popped rice cracker — that feels quietly ceremonial. Come for one drink, or order the Wagyu burger and stay for the whole night.

To uncover the best food and drink experiences for travelers, Food & Wine polled over 400 chefs, travel experts, food and travel writers, and wine pros from across the globe for their top culinary travel experiences. We then turned the results over to our Global Advisory Board, who ranked the top nominees in each category. For the full list of winners, visit foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers2026.