These 3 Aussie bars just made The World’s 50 Best Bars list 2024

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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Raise a glass to the Australian bars serving seriously good cocktails and outstanding hospitality experiences.

Every year, The World’s 50 Best Bars  celebrates the best of the international drinks industry, highlighting mixology masterminds and hospitality trailblazers. This year’s awards were held in Madrid and bars from 26 cities around the world were featured on the top 50 list. This included an impressive three Aussie bars—and the acclaims are not unfounded. 

Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City took out spot No.1. The Prohibition-era-style bar was celebrated for its wondrous creations that often take over 48 hours for head bartender Eric Van Beek to create.

Caretakers Cottage took out spot No. 21 this year as well as the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2024 and Best Bar in Australasia. While it only opened in 2022, this CBD haunt has quickly become a Melbourne favourite and a hallmark of the city’s bar scene. Run by Rob Libecans, Ryan Noreiks and Matt Stirling, this charming drinking den is housed within a heritage bluestone cottage where the Wesley Place church’s caretaker resided until the 1990s.

The atmosphere here is anything but pretentious, with The World’s 50 Best praising the watering hole for having “the best hospitality in the world." Swing by for Australia’s best Guinness, or get comfortable in the English pub-like space to work your way through the ever-changing menu of expertly crafted cocktails that offer elevated takes on classics.

Maybe Sammy ranked No.26 this year and was praised for its theatrical atmosphere and creations. Since co-owners Stefano Catino and Vince Lombardo opened this Sydney beauty in 2019, it has been a hotspot celebrated for its innovative tipples that blend elegance with modern creativity. This includes cocktails like the ‘Tuxedo’ with Procera Green Dot Gin, Noilly, Prat Dry Vermouth, Maraschino, Bitters, and Absinthe.

Maybe Sammy
1950s Hollywood glamour meets innovative cocktails. (Image: Destination NSW/DS OFICINA)

Most recently, the team unveiled their “The Grand Maybe Sammy Hotel" menu which takes inspiration from the Wes Anderson film and adds an interactive Monopoly board element to the cocktail experience. It’s these types of playful activations that elevate this bar from the usual. As for the setting, the 1950s Hollywood-meets-Vegas glamour space was conceived by hospitality designer George Livissianis, who created an atmosphere that feels like a stylish hotel bar, without the hotel.

Maybe Sammy
Maybe Sammy is billed as a hotel bar without the hotel. (Image: Destination NSW/DS OFICINA)

Another Melbourne venue Byrdi, took out No. 35, marking a significant climb from its debut at No. 80 in 2020. Nestled in the bustling Ella food precinct, this sleek haunt houses both a traditional bar and an experimental laboratory where mixologists showcase groundbreaking techniques and creations in front of guests.

Byrdi Melbourne
Byrdi boasts a sleek yet welcoming design.

Co-owned by Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura, the team shake inventive, seasonal cocktails that champion local Australian ingredients with a Japanese twist such as the “Snow" with Victorian-grown yuzu, citrus coconut ice, and Geraldton wax pow pow. These are impeccably served in an ultra-modern space swathed in earthy, natural materials that echo the Australian landscape.

Byrdi Melbourne
Byrdi’s ‘Aviary’ experimental lab. (Visit Victoria)

Mezcal-centric Cantina OK ! in Sydney made it to the longlist coming in at No. 96. This tiny bar housed in a small garage in a Sydney laneway claims to make the best margaritas in Sydney—a huge call for a city known for its love of spicy margs—and we can’t argue with it. While there’s only space for ~20 patrons, the vibes and flavours are big.

Cantina OK!
The menu at Cantina OK! highlights the complexity of agave spirits. (Image: Dexter Kim)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

The top 10 bars in the world 2024

1. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City (Winner of the Best Bar in North America)

2. Bar Leone, Hong Kong (Winner of the Best Bar in Asia)

3. Sips, Barcelona (Winner of the Best Bar in Europe)

4. Tayēr + Elementary, London

5. Jigger & Pony, Singapore

6. Line, Athens

7. Tres Monos, Buenos Aries (Winner of the Best Bar in South America)

8. Alquímico, Cartagena

9. Zest, Seoul (Winner of the Ketel One Sustainable Award)

10. Paradiso, Barcelona

 

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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Your guide to slowing down in the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    There’s no better place to unwind than the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges – a leafy and idyllic region shrouded in mist, fern-filled gullies and a peaceful atmosphere.

    Wrapped in the crisp mountain air, ancient ferns and ethereally verdant landscapes of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges , you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in another world (or at least another part of the planet).

    But this gorgeous pocket is under an hour from Melbourne, a mix of top-notch food and wine, boutique stays and forested scenery that make for an easy weekend away or even a midweek escape. In fact, visiting during the week can offer a deeply relaxing experience, with fewer crowds and more space to linger.

    If you’re keen to unwind, here’s how to spend your time in this idyllic neck of the woods.

    Where to eat

    Yarra Valley Dairy
    Treat your taste buds to Yarra Valley Dairy. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    From farm gates to cosy eateries, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges house a plethora of places to feast. Start your day with a leisurely brunch and coffee at Ripe . This local hangout combines warm hospitality and hearty cafe fare against a backdrop of the hills’ iconic tree-fern canopies. It’s also nestled in the heart of Sassafras, the quaint village that best captures the Dandenong Ranges’ old-world charm.

    Next, take yourself on a gastronomic adventure. Visit Yarra Valley Dairy , a regional favourite doing handmade cheeses, or Cherry Hill Orchards , where in summer you can pick your own cherries and enjoy them in the farm’s picturesque grounds. Treat yourself to a tasting at one of the Yarra Valley’s renowned wineries to finish – Rochford , Re’em and De Bortoli are standout picks for a sample of the region’s signature drops.

    By night, book a table at either Citrine in the mountain town of Olinda or restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley. Both do elevated seasonal fare paired with excellent drinks.

    And if you’re simply in the mood for a tipple, you’re spoiled for choice. The Alpine Hotel in riverside Warburton is a historic and character-filled spot pouring pints and locally made drinks, while Four Pillars is a must for gin lovers. The distillery’s award-winning spirits are famed nationwide, but here you can try them right from the source.

    Things to do outdoors

    two people walking through Dandenong Ranges National Park
    Wander the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

    A motley patchwork of misty rainforest, rugged bushscapes and beautifully tended gardens, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are some of Melbourne’s most scenic pockets. No visit to the region would be complete without a wander through its lush surrounds, either by bike or on foot.

    The Ngurrak Barring trail stretches 39 kilometres through the Dandenong Ranges, connecting the towns and fern-filled forests that make the hills so unique. Along the way, be immersed in thought-provoking art installations and cultural stories, sharing a different perspective of this ancient landscape.

    While in the area, wander through Cloudehill Garden & Nursery and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens , situated in Olinda. The cooler climate, rich volcanic soil and consistent rainfall offer both gardens ideal conditions for vivid and vibrant flora.

    Over in the Yarra Valley, the 40-kilometre Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is a flat and family-friendly path perfect for leisurely bike rides and longer walks. It takes you through vine-lined scenery and towns like Seville and Wandin. Biking enthusiasts should head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, a network of 160 kilometres of trails that traverse through untamed terrain.

    For a more laidback outing, Alowyn Gardens encompasses seven acres of themed gardens perfect for a meandering stroll. The nearly 100-metre-long wisteria archway that connects different garden zones is a highlight – especially in October, when the lilac blossoms are in spectacular bloom.

    The arts and culture scene

    TarraWarra Museum of Art
    Take in the displays at TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges are havens for arts and culture thanks to their inspiring landscapes and thriving creative community. Naturally, a slower escape should include a visit to some of the region’s best studios and galleries.

    The TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville showcases modern and contemporary Australian art, with both a permanent collection and a rotating display of thoughtful exhibitions. The building and grounds are well worth exploring: a striking architectural landmark amid landscaped lawns and open-air sculptures overlooking the Yarra Valley.

    Delve into the area’s rich history at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum , a treasure trove of more than 13,000 unique pieces. See everything from Indigenous artefacts to archival photographs and historical objects that tell the region’s story.

    On your way back to the city, stop by the leafy enclave of Eltham to discover Montsalvat . This five-acre artistic playground is Australia’s oldest continuous art community, combining galleries, Gothic-style buildings and expansive heritage gardens.

    Stay at a local retreat

    Re’em yarra valley accommodation
    Re’em is an ideal pick for an indulgent stay.

    No matter your style, and no matter your budget, you’ll find a suitable spot in the region to rest your head. If the weather is warm and the sky is clear, set up a tent at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park or Pine Hill Cabin & Caravan Park. The former has secluded camping spots surrounded by tranquil bushland and local wildlife, along with glamping pods and cabins. The latter has powered and unpowered sites suitable for all kinds of campers, and is pet-friendly if you’re travelling with your four-legged friend.

    Or, book yourself into the RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort – a sprawling retreat complete with stylish rooms and luxe amenities that invite you to unwind. Relax at the day spa, tee off at the 18-hole golf course, or recharge with a round of tennis or a few laps in the pool.

    And if you’re after something truly indulgent, Re’em is an ideal pick. A boutique collection of just 16, the luxuriously appointed rooms feature plush linens, high-end amenities and oversized baths with panoramic views across the estate. A gourmet breakfast showcasing gorgeous local produce is also included.

    Start planning your reset getaway at visityarravalley.com.au.