Paradiso positions Barcelona as the cocktail capital of the world

It could not be otherwise. If Barcelona was recognized by the world of mixology and, unanimously, as one of the great world capitals of mixology ---being chosen, for example, to host for the first time outside of London The World's 50 Best Bars 2022---, it only remained for the city's bars not only to maintain the great recognitions of past editions, but also to obtain new laurels, as has been the case.

Indeed, around ten o'clock at night, at the gala held this Tuesday at La Cúpula of the Las Arenas shopping center, immense euphoria broke out, above the continuous and overflowing party, with chants, dances and slogans cheered by bartenders from all over the world: Paradiso, an already legendary establishment in Barcelona's Born district, took the first position in the competition and, in addition, was named The Best Bar in Europe and, of course, The World's Best Bar.

The main awards for excellence in bars, bartenders, and brands, at the forefront of the international cocktail scene, for the first time granted the honor of being the best of the best to a bar that was not in the historical capitals of mixology: New York and London. And not just one, because while Paradiso climbed two positions to become number one, the other two Barcelona venues that accompany it in the Top 10, Sips and Two Schmucks, also significantly improved their position in the ranking.

Specifically, Sips on Muntaner Street climbed from position number 37 to the third position in the world ranking, and also managed to win the Nikka Highest Climber award for being the venue that has made the most significant leap. In parallel, another emblematic establishment, Two Schmucks, climbed four positions, to place itself in seventh place. A heroic feat, because placing three venues from the same city in the Top 10 means occupying 30% of the most exclusive global list. Also to be included in the success of the evening is the groundbreaking Salmon Guru, from Madrid, which has placed itself in position number 15.

The content director of The World's 50 Best Bars, Mark Sansom, made these reflections after the awards ceremony: "The fact that this is the first time we have crowned a bar outside New York or London as The World's Best Bar is a clear testament to the enormous achievements of Giacomo, Margarita and their team since they were named One To Watch in 2017, just one year after opening. Paradiso has since been a fixture on the 50 Best list, improving its ranking year after year. It is an honor to designate it as The World's Best Bar and the victory is a credit to Paradiso's extravagantly inventive cocktail program, its sustainable ethos, its work in the global bar community and its brilliant sense of fun." And he added: "Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan destinations in the world of mixology." For her part, Elisa Gregori, global business director of Perrier (main sponsor), stated: "We are very honored to be able to support Barcelona in organizing the most outstanding ceremony held to date."

Paradiso, the winner, a sure bet for The World's 50 Best Bars, with five consecutive appearances on the list (in 2021 it was third) is an unusual venue hidden behind an old refrigerator in the back room of a modest charcuterie shop in El Born, (Rera Palau, 4) that creates a masterful speakeasy, a clandestine bar from the US Prohibition era. The majestic curved wooden cladding of the front bar that welcomes customers into a surprisingly playful space, with dramatic crystal lights, curved wooden ribs, inspired by Gaudí, that envelop the entire space, and a soft, warm light that emphasizes the bottle display, would be the last thing one expects after passing through the small refrigerator door.

At the bar, meticulously crafted cocktails are served in extravagant glasses, such as the Supercool Martini, with super-chilled water forming an iceberg in the glass, or the Space Colada or the Vulcano Negroni, served with a mini dry ice volcano that erupts. The brilliant owners, Giacomo Giannotti and Margarita Sader, and their excellent team are committed to demonstrating their commitment to sustainability, by creating bar tools from disposable single-use waste, and even holding the first Paradiso Sustainability Summit.

"It is a source of pride to appear on the list; furthermore, it makes us very happy that with our work we can represent Barcelona in the global elite. It is true that we work every day to make our clients happy and, therefore, being recognized is very good, so tonight we get to enjoy ourselves," Giannotti stated euphorically.

Giannotti: "It makes us very happy that with our work we can represent Barcelona in the global elite of mixology"

Sips has also won the Nikka Highest Climber award, after climbing 34 places to third position. It is an open-plan design bar, with a clear space, a central preparation table, and a warm and dark atmosphere that emphasizes the details and luminosity of each drink, and where spectacular cocktails are served, such as the Sips Espresso Martini in elaborate and original glassware, specific for each cocktail designed by the bartenders themselves.

Barcelona places a third bar on the list, located in the Raval, the original Two Schmucks (Joaquín Costa, 52, Barcelona), which overflows with irreverence, a tangible reflection of the eccentric personality of the figure of Moe Aljaff. It is a rogue bar like the neighborhood that hosts it. A rather scoundrel bar, with sneakers hanging over steel beams and tacos on the wall signs, where they serve very top creations and where there are tap cocktails. Barcelona's Two Schmucks generates one of the best atmospheres in the sector. Its leitmotif is that of a "five-star dive bar".

The World's 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, is a list of the best bars in the world, the result of votes from an academy of more than 650 beverage experts with gender parity: bartenders, beverage critics, and cocktail specialists from all over the world, coming from 28 different global geographical regions. The list has been published annually since 2009 and has become the most anticipated ranking for industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts from all corners of the planet. Each voter casts seven votes based on their best bar experiences over the previous 18 months.

Besides the bars in Barcelona, in this year's edition New York leads the overall list with six bars, including two in the Top 10: Double Chicken Please, in sixth position, and Catana Kitten, which moves up one spot, to ninth. The city also features Attaboy (22), Overstory (34), Dante (36), and Employees Only (47). London regains its position as the European cocktail capital by number of bars on the list with a total of five. Mexico also has five venues, with Licorería Limantour, which continues to lead Mexico City's meteoric rise, placing fourth in the competition and winning the title of The Best Bar in North America for the second consecutive year. Italy triumphs with four bars from four different cities: Rome, Milan, Florence, and Naples. Buenos Aires presents three entries, Dubai has three, and Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong have two bars each in the ranking. Paris, Lisbon, Oslo, and Stockholm have one bar each.

The awards ceremony has been the central event of the Barcelona Cocktail Experience which, for ten days, between September 30 and October 9, aims to make the city enjoy and fall in love with this international trend. More than 150 establishments (around 90 cocktail bars and 50 hotels) participate in this initiative, which features the presence of the best bartenders in the world and countless organized activities. Highlights include the Signature Cocktails, created by the city's most emblematic venues, and a daytime program (presentations or masterclasses) and nighttime program (events with international guests) that also includes other events such as the national final of the Spirit Essence cocktail competition.

The Cocktail Village, which opened on October 2 and 3 at Palau Dalmases on Montcada Street, was the social epicenter of the Barcelona Cocktail Experience, with activities and experiences led by renowned professionals such as Salvatore Calabrese, Dorelli, Rémy Savage, Margarita Sader, Holly Graham, Manal Ouardane, Giulia Cuccurullo, Giacomo Giannotti, Marc Alvarez, and Luis Garcia. The Bartenders meet chefs event was also organized, and Francois Monti, Diego Cabrera, Giacomo Giannotti, David Rios, Javier de las Muelas, and Moe Aljaff reviewed the Spanish cocktail scene.