Athens, Greece – November 27, 2025 — Athens has cemented its status as one of the world’s most vibrant cocktail destinations, with three establishments securing positions in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list announced this week. The recognition marks a significant milestone for the Greek capital, which has transformed from an emerging scene into an established powerhouse within the global hospitality industry.
Line, located in central Athens, achieved the most prominent placement at number eight globally, making it the highest-ranked bar in the entire Mediterranean region. The achievement underscores the city’s capacity to compete with traditionally dominant cocktail centres such as London, Barcelona, and New York. Baba au Rum secured the 27th position whilst maintaining its status as a cornerstone establishment, whilst The Bar in Front of the Bar entered the rankings at number 47, representing fresh innovation within the scene.
The three-bar showing represents unprecedented success for Athens on the international stage. For the first time in the list’s 17-year history, an Asian venue claimed the top position, yet Athens distinguished itself as the counterbalance to this geographical shift. The city’s representation reflects a deliberate philosophy that distinguishes Athenian bars from their international counterparts, blending classical heritage with contemporary technique in ways that resonate with industry experts and discerning patrons alike.
Baba au Rum, which has maintained continuous appearances on the World’s 50 Best Bars list for eleven consecutive years, received the Rémy Martin Legend of the List award in recognition of its sustained excellence. Operating since 2009, the establishment houses an extensive collection of over 400 rums and positions itself as a society dedicated to rum and cocktail culture. The venue is widely credited with introducing Athens to sophisticated, globally-informed cocktail experiences and establishing the foundation upon which the city’s modern bar scene has developed.
The Bar in Front of the Bar represents a different approach to excellence, emerging from unconventional beginnings. The venue literally began as a temporary scaffolding structure positioned in front of a bar under construction, yet evolved into a permanent establishment with its own distinct identity. Founded by Alexandros Tselepís, Konstantinos Theodorakopoulos, and Symeon Papanikolaou, the bar emphasises classic recipes, seasonal ingredients, and zero-waste practices. Its street-side positioning captures the essence of Athenian drinking culture, where patrons spend considerable time enjoying beverages al fresco whilst absorbing the city’s ambient energy.
Industry observers attribute Athens’ ascendancy to a particular sensibility that distinguishes the city’s bars from competitors elsewhere. Rather than pursuing novelty for its own sake, Athenian establishments demonstrate restraint and intentionality in their approach. Bartenders source Hellenic botanicals and treat local ingredients with reverence, utilising ice cut with jeweler’s precision and ceramics that evoke archaeological artifacts. Olive oil appears as a considered garnish rather than a superficial flourish. This philosophy extends beyond technical execution to encompass genuine hospitality that feels unguarded and authentically Greek.
The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, composed of over 800 industry experts including bartenders, consultants, journalists, and cocktail specialists, conducted the voting process across 29 geographical regions. Each panel member votes for eight bars visited within the preceding eighteen months, with voting conducted confidentially and anonymously. The process undergoes independent audit by Deloitte to ensure integrity and transparency.
Athens’ three placements carry particular significance within the context of a list historically dominated by London, New York, and Barcelona. The city has transitioned from the status of “emerging” destination to “established” authority whilst maintaining its appetite for creative risk-taking. This positioning reflects both recognition of past achievements and promise for future development within the global cocktail landscape.
The recognition arrives as Athens continues to develop its reputation as Europe’s most dynamic bar city. The establishments ranked represent diverse philosophies, from laboratory-focused venues employing complex techniques to neighbourhood-oriented spaces emphasising congenial hospitality. This plurality demonstrates that excellence within the industry transcends any single approach, instead reflecting the quality of execution and the authenticity of vision.
For visitors and residents alike, the international recognition validates what many within Athens have long understood: the city possesses a distinctive approach to hospitality that merges ancient tradition with contemporary innovation. The three-bar achievement positions Athens as an essential destination for those seeking to understand the current trajectory of global cocktail culture, where Mediterranean sensibility meets avant-garde technique.
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Image Credit: Photo by sarahabilova on Unsplash
