The reveal of the list and title of The World’s Best Bar will take centre stage at the celebration, featuring red‑carpet arrivals and a drinks reception, marking the 18th edition of the awards.

The list will be shaped by the confidential votes of the gender-balanced academy, comprising more than 800 industry professionals, journalists and cocktail experts, handpicked by the 29 academy chairs. 

Rikki Tidball, managing director of events for The World’s 50 Best Bars, said: “Milan provides a fitting backdrop for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, a city renowned for its rich cocktail heritage and thriving bar scene. Home to some of the industry’s most respected and innovative talent, it sets the stage to bring together the international bars community to celebrate creativity, excellence and the achievements of the world’s finest bars and bartenders, while inspiring discovery among cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.”

In the lead‑up to the ceremony, 50 Best will not only announce the venues that have ranked between 51-100 but also the recipients of two special awards that recognise the achievements of one bar and one bartender over the past year.

The Michter’s Art of Hospitality award will be given to the venue where the academy experienced the single most outstanding display of hospitality during the voting period, and the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender will be awarded to a professional, voted by peers from the list, who, over the course of the last 18 months, has done the most to advance the art and practice of bartending. 

Additionally, bars worldwide were invited to submit themselves for the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and the Best Bar Design Award, of which the winners will be revealed at the live awards ceremony in Milan. 

Last week, entries also opened for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship, an initiative designed to support the next generation of industry talent. The scholarship offers one young bartender the opportunity to broaden their horizons through two unique stages at Line, Athens and Tres Monos, Buenos Aires, the recipient of the 50 Best Bars Scholarship will be announced in Milan.