From the people who have been delivering trustworthy guidebooks to every destination in the world for 40 years, Lonely Planet’s 50 Bars To Blow Your Mind handpicks the world’s most extraordinary drinking holes, from caverns and island party havens to a bar nestled in an ancient tree trunk.

This pocket-sized gift book showcases 50 of the world’s best bars and is the perfect gift for anyone interested in the best places in the world for a drink. Whether they boast a jaw-dropping location, world-class artisan cocktails or effortless cool, these bars are among the best places on the planet to enjoy a drink or two.

How have we whittled down this list? Some bars have earned their spot by playing up their obvious assets, whether it’s an interesting urban location or a stunning natural setting. Others are champions of the basics, be they cocktails or single liquors, while still others do something dramatically unusual or fun. But perhaps the secret sauce in all this is genuine desire to delight each person who walks through the door. It’s a love of hospitality and an enthusiasm for the precious drop.

Whether you’re a fan of barefoot, surfside imbibing or you prefer sophisticated cocktails in stylish surrounds, it’s time to plan your list. Cheers, salut, bottoms up. See you at the bar.

Wow factor // Beautiful bars

Al Sarab // Dubai
The Island Bar // Sydney
Northern Lights // Reykjavik
Ozone // Hong Kong
Sky Bar // Bangkok
Water & Wind Bar // Binh Duong
White Rabbit // Moscow

Mixology // Cocktail bars

Academia da Cachaca // Rio De Janeiro
Attaboy // New York City
Gen Yamamoto // Tokyo
Lidkoeb // Copenhagen
Monkey Bar // Berlin
Smuggler’s Cove // San Francisco
Sum Yi Tai // Singapore
Tales & Spirits // Amsterdam
Yuan Oyster & Cocktail Bar // Shanghai

A'brewin’ // Craft beer bars

Delirium Cafe // Brussels
Magnolia Brewing Company // San Francisco
Petritegi Tolare Sagardotegia // San Sebastian
T-Anker // Prague
Torst // New York City

Shh! // Hidden bars

Area 51 Top Secret Party Facility // Boracay
Aux Deux Amis // Paris
Cafe Madrigal // Havana
El Quim de la Boqueria // Barcelona
Gallow Green // New York City
The Harrison Speakeasy // Buenos Aires
The Jerry Thomas Project // Rome

Rhythm // Music & party bars

360Istanbul // Istanbul
Bluefrog // Mumbai
Linda’s Tavern // Seattle
Opera Club // Warsaw
Tooting Tram & Social // London

Whimsy // Quirky bars

Baobab Tree Bar // Limpopo
Bounce Ping Pong // London
Le Comptoir General // Paris
Icebar // Jukkasjarvi
Joben Bistro // Cluj-Napoca
Museum HR Giger Bar // Gruyeres
The Storm Crow Tavern // Vancouver

About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world’s leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet. Lonely Planet’s mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.

Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.