The list of Europe’s 50 Best Bars 2026 has been announced during a live awards ceremony in Amsterdam. The event celebrated the first annual edition of the ranking from 50 Best, the organisation behind The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Among the hotel bars recognised were Mirror Bar at the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel in Bratislava, which ranked No. 8, Connaught Bar at The Connaught in London at No. 10, and Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London at No. 47.

Taking the top spot was Line in Athens, which sits within a former art gallery in Kato Petralona, where soaring ceilings and an industrial backdrop frame a world of fermentation-led creativity. Ranked No.8 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, the venue was created by bartenders Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis as a hub of innovation, producing fruit wines, beers and sourdough on-site and reworking every byproduct into cocktails and food as part of a circular approach. Central to the menu are house-made fruit wines known as Why-ins, developed with winemaker Thanos Georgilas, ranging from classic expressions to more experimental styles enhanced with fresh aromas or distillates.

The Bar in Front of the Bar finished second, followed by Sips, which was also named The Best Bar in Spain. Himkok ranked fourth and claimed the title of The Best Bar in Norway, while Bar Nouveau completed the top five and was recognised as The Best Bar in France.

Elsewhere, Moebius Milano was named The Best Bar in Italy after placing sixth overall. Nouvelle Vague took the Albanian title at No. 16, Wax On was named Germany’s best bar at No. 17, and Bird claimed top honours in Denmark at No. 24. Tjoget was recognised as Sweden’s best bar at No. 37, Tag was named Poland’s best bar at No. 39, Super Lyan earned The Best Bar in the Netherlands title at No. 42, and Late Bloomers was crowned Switzerland’s best bar after ranking No. 44.

“We are immensely proud to name Line as the first ever winner of the title The Best Bar in Europe, sponsored by Perrier,” says Faye Huggett, Director of Community for Europe’s 50 Best Bars. “Their remarkable hospitality and stunning creativity have not only earned them this accolade but have truly cemented Athens’ position on the global map. We hope that this inaugural list of Europe’s 50 Best Bars will shine a bright spotlight onto an even greater number of outstanding bars across this vibrant continent and inspire epicures around the world to explore everything it has to offer – from long‑established cocktail capitals to fresh, emerging scenes that are pushing boundaries in new and exciting ways.”

Among the special awards given out on the night, Salvatore Calabrese was named Roku Industry Icon, recognising a career that has shaped cocktail culture in London and around the world. Known as The Maestro, Calabrese’s influence spans more than five decades – from establishing Dukes London as a global destination for the martini, to helming Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese at Corinthia London.