Signature cocktail making has stopped being a marginal discipline to become one of the most vibrant expressions of contemporary gastronomy. In little more than two decades, bars have gone from being spaces for a quick drink to temples of creativity where technique, storytelling and hospitality come together in every shake or stir. And at the centre of this global transformation, one list has set the industry’s pace: The World’s 50 Best Bars. Madrid, with its cocktail tradition and its buzzing current scene, has not been immune to this revolution. In this article we explore what it means to appear on the select ranking of the world’s best bars, how the Spanish capital has positioned itself, and what the future holds for mixology in Madrid.
What The World’s 50 Best Bars is: history, methodology and importance
The World’s 50 Best Bars was born in 2009 as a natural extension of the already prestigious The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, published by Restaurant magazine and organised by William Reed Business Media. The intention was clear: to create a liquid equivalent that recognised excellence in signature cocktail making on a global scale, in the same way the most innovative restaurants were being celebrated.
The list’s methodology is based on a voting system that brings together more than 650 international industry experts: bartenders, critics, distributors and industry professionals. Each voter nominates seven bars, five of which must be outside their country of residence, guaranteeing a genuinely international perspective. Votes are secret and processed through an independent audit system, which gives the list a credibility that goes beyond mere popularity.
The importance of appearing on The World’s 50 Best Bars goes beyond symbolic prestige. A bar included on the list experiences a significant rise in international visibility, attracts a global clientele interested in signature cocktail experiences, and positions itself as a reference point for industry professionals. For many establishments, making the list — or even featuring in positions 51 to 100, known as the extended list — marks a turning point in their trajectory.
Madrid on the world cocktail map: Spanish presence on the list
Spanish presence on The World’s 50 Best Bars has been uneven but significant. In the list’s early years, Barcelona drew most of the international attention, and more recently, establishments such as Two Schmucks have made it into the top ten. Madrid, however, has taken longer to become visible on the global radar, although the trend is changing markedly.
In recent editions, Madrid bars have begun appearing more frequently in the middle and upper positions of the list. Establishments such as Salmon Guru or the bar at the Ritz have received international recognition, and the Spanish capital’s scene has established itself as a must-visit destination for lovers of quality cocktail making. The so-called cocktail “Golden Mile” in Madrid — a deliberate nod to the city’s dining Golden Mile — brings together an exceptional concentration of signature bars around the Salamanca and Los Jerónimos neighbourhoods.
What sets Madrid apart from other cities with a longer international cocktail tradition is its ability to fuse the heritage of classic Spanish cocktail making — from draught vermouth to the Gin & Tonic tradition — with a technical creativity that has nothing to envy London, New York or Tokyo. This synthesis of the local and the universal has been key to Madrid bars beginning to capture the attention of international voters.
What it takes to make the Top 50: selection criteria
Making The World’s 50 Best Bars is not a matter of chance or media popularity. The criteria voters assess are many and complex, and understanding them is essential for any industry professional aspiring to excellence.
The first element is technical and creative innovation. The bars that stand out on the list do not simply prepare well-executed cocktails; they propose new drink structures, experiment with unconventional ingredients, develop their own extraction or fermentation techniques and create sensory experiences that go beyond the expected. Innovation, however, is not an end in itself: it must serve coherence and taste.
Consistency is equally decisive. A bar may create a revolutionary drink, but if the rest of its menu does not hold the same standard, if service fluctuates or the overall experience is not even, it will struggle to win the experts’ votes. Voters value excellence sustained over time, not one-off flashes of brilliance.
Hospitality is another fundamental pillar. In the context of signature cocktail making, hospitality goes beyond courteous service: it includes the bartender’s ability to connect with the guest, the atmosphere of the space, the story wrapped around each drink, and the feeling that the visitor is taking part in something unique. The world’s best bars are, in this sense, meeting places where the drink acts as an excuse for a memorable experience.
Finally, influence on the industry also carries weight in voters’ considerations. Bars that have set trends, inspired other generations of bartenders, or helped raise the overall standard of cocktail making in their city or region receive extra recognition.
The philosophy of the best bars: global trends
The bars that dominate the global ranking share a philosophy that goes beyond simply making cocktails. This philosophy is built around several trends that have defined signature cocktail making in recent years.
Sustainability has become a categorical imperative. The world’s best bars have committed to reducing their environmental impact through the use of local, seasonal ingredients, the implementation of whole-ingredient utilisation systems, and the elimination of single-use plastics. Some bars have taken this philosophy to the extreme, creating cocktails with ingredients that were traditionally discarded, or developing composting programmes.
Local sourcing and support for local producers is another constant. The most reputed bartenders build direct relationships with farmers, artisan spirit makers and producers of fruit and herbs, seeking ingredients that reflect the terroir of their surroundings. This trend is not just an environmental matter; it also allows the creation of cocktails with an unmistakable sense of place.
Storytelling has emerged as a fundamental tool. Every signature cocktail at the world’s best bars tells a story: the story of its ingredients, of the bartender who devised it, of the historical or cultural moment that inspires the drink. This narrative turns the act of drinking into a cultural act, giving cocktail making a depth once reserved for gastronomy.
Finally, invisible technique defines the execution of the best. The most accomplished bartenders master complex procedures — pressure infusions, clarifications, homemade carbonation, flash distillation — but the end result must look simple. This apparent ease is, in reality, the result of years of practice and a technical mastery that allows the guest to enjoy the drink without needing to understand the complexity behind it.
The standard of excellence in Madrid cocktail making
Madrid has developed its own standard of excellence that combines Spanish cocktail tradition with the most advanced techniques of international mixology. The capital’s leading bars share characteristics that place them in the global elite.
First, there is a widespread commitment to quality ingredients. Madrid’s benchmark bars work with spirits from small producers, fruit and herbs from nearby gardens, and house-made syrups and bitters. The trend towards in-house production — from syrups to infused vermouths — has become an almost mandatory requirement for any establishment aspiring to excellence.
Ongoing training for staff is another constant. Madrid’s best bars invest in training their teams, sending bartenders to international seminars, organising exchanges with establishments in other cities, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. The result is an average technical level across the Madrid scene that surpasses that of many other European capitals.
Narrative identity also defines the leading bars. Madrid, with its rich history and unique cultural personality, offers fertile ground for cocktails that tell stories: from drinks inspired by the Movida Madrileña to contemporary reinterpretations of classics from Spanish literature. Every establishment seeks a voice of its own to set it apart in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Finally, hospitality in Madrid has evolved towards a model that combines traditional Spanish warmth with a professionalisation of service that has nothing to envy fine dining. The city’s best bars have understood that the guest experience is not limited to the cocktail, but includes every interaction, every detail of the space and every moment of the visit.
STILLROOM and the pursuit of excellence
In this context of cocktail excellence, STILLROOM positions itself as a reference point on the Madrid scene. Located on Calle Moreto 9, in the heart of the Los Jerónimos neighbourhood, this signature gastro cocktail bar represents the synthesis of tradition and innovation that defines the world’s best establishments.
STILLROOM’s philosophy revolves around creating cocktails that tell stories. Every drink on its menu — sixteen signature creations refreshed periodically — emerges from a rigorous creative process that combines ingredient research, technical experimentation and a coherent narrative. The goal is not simply to make delicious cocktails, but to create memorable experiences that stay with the guest long after the last drop.
The invisible technique that defines the world’s best bars is a founding principle at STILLROOM. The establishment’s bartenders master complex procedures — from cold infusions to homemade carbonation — but the end result always aims for harmony and approachability. A signature cocktail can be technically revolutionary, but if it is not enjoyable, it fails its purpose.
STILLROOM’s menu also reflects a commitment to local, seasonal ingredients. The establishment works with nearby producers, adapts its offering to what each season provides, and constantly seeks new raw materials to enrich its repertoire. This commitment to local produce is not just a matter of sustainability, but a statement of identity: STILLROOM is, above all, a Madrid bar.
Hospitality is another fundamental pillar. The STILLROOM team understands that the cocktail experience goes beyond the drink itself: it includes the conversation with the bartender, the atmosphere of the space and the feeling of being part of something special. Every visit to STILLROOM is an invitation to discover the world of signature cocktail making from a perspective that is both approachable and sophisticated in equal measure.
To better understand the terminology and techniques that define signature cocktail making, it is worth consulting the cocktail and mixology glossary that STILLROOM makes available to its guests and followers. This resource offers clear definitions of concepts such as fat washing, clarification or reverse spherification, allowing you to delve deeper into the magic behind every cocktail.
The future of cocktail making in Madrid: trends 2026-2027
The horizon for Madrid cocktail making looks promising. The trends beginning to take shape at the world’s best bars find fertile ground for growth in Madrid, and the city is well positioned to consolidate its place as a global destination for signature cocktail making.
Technology applied to cocktail making will continue to gain ground. Tools such as precision centrifugation, 3D printing of decorative elements or the use of artificial intelligence for recipe development are beginning to appear at the most innovative bars. Madrid will be no stranger to this technological revolution, though the balance between technology and craftsmanship will remain a priority for establishments aspiring to excellence.
Health and wellbeing will increasingly shape the cocktail offering. The most forward-thinking bartenders are already working on cocktails with lower alcohol content, functional ingredients and sensory profiles that prioritise freshness and lightness without sacrificing complexity. This trend responds to an increasingly wellbeing-conscious consumer who nonetheless does not want to give up the pleasure of a good drink.
Hybridisation with gastronomy will keep deepening. Gastro cocktail bars such as STILLROOM represent a trend that is here to stay: the full integration of cocktail making into the culinary experience. In the future we will see more collaborations between bartenders and chefs, pairing menus that combine dishes and cocktails, and spaces that function as restaurants where the drink holds a role equal to the plate.
Finally, the democratisation of excellence will be a key trend. While signature bars will remain specialised spaces, the spread of knowledge and techniques through social media, masterclasses and specialist publications will allow an ever-wider public to access quality cocktail making. Madrid, with its tradition of accessibility and its open spirit, is perfectly placed to lead this democratisation.
Signature cocktail making in Madrid is enjoying a golden moment. The capital’s bars have stopped looking outward and have become reference points that the world watches closely. Lists such as The World’s 50 Best Bars recognise what industry professionals already knew: Madrid is, today, one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on the international cocktail scene. And on that map, STILLROOM continues its path towards excellence, creating cocktails that tell stories and offering every guest an experience that goes beyond the expected.
Frequently asked questions
What are the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2026?
The World’s 50 Best Bars list is announced every autumn, in the last quarter of the year, so the 2026 edition is revealed around that time. At STILLROOM we follow it closely because it measures the excellence of signature cocktail making on a global scale, and because Madrid has better odds every year of making the Top 50. In the meantime, the best way to get ahead of the ranking is to explore the local scene: the so-called cocktail Golden Mile, between the Salamanca and Los Jerónimos neighbourhoods, brings together venues that work technique, storytelling and hospitality with the same rigour as the award-winners.
Which Madrid bars are on the 50 Best Bars list?
In recent editions Madrid has gained a higher profile in The World’s 50 Best Bars: names such as Salmon Guru or the bar at the Ritz have received international recognition, and the extended list — positions 51 to 100 — usually leaves room for a Madrid address or two. The ranking is renewed every year, so it is always worth checking the current edition. From STILLROOM, on Calle Moreto 9, we believe the real trend is not just in the award-winners, but in the network of signature bars that has turned the capital into a cocktail destination in its own right.
What makes a bar one of the best in the world?
Voters for The World’s 50 Best Bars weigh up four things: technical innovation, consistency, hospitality and influence on the industry. It is not enough to serve correct cocktails; a bar has to propose new drink structures, hold its standard glass after glass, and turn the visit into a memorable experience. Sustainability, local sourcing and storytelling carry increasing weight in the vote. At STILLROOM we apply that philosophy at the bar — cold infusions, clarifications, ferments and homemade carbonation — and also in the small plates kitchen, where we work with sous-vide, a MyChef radiant oven, blowtorch and induction.
Where can I find a trending signature cocktail bar in Madrid?
Los Jerónimos has become one of the epicentres of Madrid’s signature cocktail making. At STILLROOM, on Calle Moreto 9, two minutes from the Prado Museum, we serve a menu of sixteen house creations that is refreshed periodically, made with precision techniques such as cold infusions, clarifications and homemade carbonation. Every cocktail starts from an idea and a story, and is served with the warmth of a bar that wants you to feel at home. If you are looking for a place that sets trends without losing its essence, we are waiting for you.
What are the “50 Best Bars” and why do they matter?
The World’s 50 Best Bars is an international ranking created in 2009 by William Reed Business Media, the same group that publishes the 50 Best Restaurants. More than 650 industry experts — bartenders, critics and industry professionals — vote in secret, and the count goes through an independent audit. Appearing on the list transforms an establishment: it multiplies its visibility, attracts an international clientele and turns it into a reference point for the trade. For Madrid, having bars in the ranking is recognition for a scene that had been growing for years away from the spotlight.
What are the cocktail trends for 2026?
Three currents are defining the year: technology applied to the bar — precision centrifugation, 3D printing, AI-assisted recipes —, low-ABV cocktails with functional ingredients, and hybridisation with gastronomy, with gastro cocktail bars on the rise as a format. Added to these are sustainability and local sourcing, which are now almost a requirement. At STILLROOM we work along those lines: a bar that infuses, clarifies and ferments in-house, alongside a small plates kitchen that converses with it, always with local, seasonal produce.