The Pinnacle Guide has launched its inaugural list, with 19 UK bars - more than half of those recognised - awarded 'Pins'.
The 1, 2 & 3 Pin recognition system aims to bring to the bar industry what Michelin has brought to the restaurant world.
No 3-Pin bars were named in the first list, but London-based Nipperkin and The Spy Bar at Raffles both took two pins, as did Scottish venues Panda & Sons in Edinburgh and The American Bar at Gleneagles, Auchterarder.
Hotel bars Artesian at The Langham, Blue Bar at the Berkeley, Guard's Bar & Lounge at Raffles London, Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese at Corinthia London and Side Hustle at Nomad London all took one pin.
They were joined by Couch and Passing Fancies in Birmingham, Kiki Lounge in Douglas, Sexy Fish - both in London and Manchester - Rattlebag in Belfast, and London-based quartette Nightjar Shoreditch, Swift Soho, Kwant and Kol Mezcaleria.
The Guide has been developed by London Cocktail Week's Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne and Global Bartending's Dan Dove. First announced in early 2022, there followed a lengthy industry consultation process, with applications opening in November 2023.
Hundreds of applications were received from seven markets: the UK, US, Australia, Dubai, Mexico, Singapore, and Spain.
Dove said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible response to the first round of applications for The Pinnacle Guide. In revealing this first list, we have been able to realise our goal of celebrating the extraordinary range of cocktail bars the world has to offer - from tiny drinking dens to majestic hotel bars.
"We’re proud of our unique submissions process, which has allowed these deserving bars to shine - and we’re excited to shed light on many many more in the months and years to come.”
Pins are gained if a bar's written application meets Pinnacle Guide's criteria and if the venue demonstrates similarly high standards during anonymous visits.
Sharman-Cox and Payne added: “The response we’ve received from bars in regards to our feedback, whether Pinned or not, has been extremely motivating.
"Progress can only happen if we provide genuine, meaningful and reflective insight as to why these bars have or haven’t made it, and it’s been very promising to witness how applicants are taking this on board.”
Applications for The Pinnacle Guide are always open, with several Pin announcements planned to take place throughout the year. For more information visit thepinnacleguide.com and follow on social media at thepinnacleguide.
THE FULL LIST OF PINNED BARS
3 PIN BARS
There are no 3 PIN bars yet
2 PIN BARS
ATLAS, Singapore
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, Phoenix, USA
Nipperkin, London, UK
Origin Bar, Shangri-La Singapore, Singapore
Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, UK
Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
Pretty Decent, Louisville, USA
Selva, Oaxaca, Mexico
The American Bar at Gleneagles, Auchterarder, UK
The Spy Bar at Raffles London, UK
Thunderbolt, Los Angeles, USA
True Laurel, San Francisco, USA
1 PIN Bars
Artesian, London, UK
Ballroom by Barbary Coast, Singapore
Blue Bar at The Berkeley, London, UK
Couch, Birmingham, UK
Cure, New Orleans, USA
El Primo Sanchez, Sydney, Australia
Kiki Lounge, Isle of Man, UK
KOL Mezcaleria, London, UK
Kwant Mayfair, London, UK
Little Rituals, Phoenix, USA
Magnus on Water, Maine, USA
Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia
Meteor, Minneapolis, USA
Milady's, New York City, USA
Nightjar Shoreditch, London, UK
Passing Fancies, Birmingham, UK
Rattlebag, Belfast, UK
Roka Dubai, UAE
Sexy Fish, London, UK
Sexy Fish, Manchester UK
Side Hustle, London, UK
Swift Soho, London, UK
The Dead Rabbit, New York City, USA
The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles, London, UK
Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese, London, UK