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

Rachael ThompsonBy 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)

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

 

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 what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .