Wine and cocktail bars are not really about drinking. They are about atmosphere, the people, the vibe, and those design details you don’t forget. A single slab of stone used as a bar counter, or chairs stamped with royal seals from the Korean Emperor’s time at Seoul’s Four Seasons H Bar.
The lighting, the textures, the creative idea behind it all — that’s what makes a bar more than a place to sit.
For me, “most beautiful” doesn’t always mean shiny chandeliers or fake gold. Sometimes it’s the opposite: a small, smoky corner like Vinstue in Frederiksberg (Denmark), with toys from the past nailed to the walls or a Catholic-themed local bar in Malta. A place that feels lived in, with layers of memory.
To put this list together, I went through the World’s 50 Best Bars, Softer Volumes, and spoke with friends in different countries — photographers, designers, journalists, people who notice beauty in small things.
Of course, there are hundreds more I could add. Berlin, Copenhagen, Seoul, Tokyo alone could make a top 100 well-designed bars to visit in 2026.
But here I’m keeping it to 20+ that are the most beautiful in my opinion right now.
Gordon’s Wine Bar, London, United Kingdom
Address: 47 Villiers Street, London
Established in 1890, Gordon’s is London’s oldest (and beautiful) wine bar to enjoy in 2206 — an intimate subterranean world of candlelit brick arches and wooden nooks. The air smells of old vine and whispered conversations. Bottles line the walls like old friends, and every pour feels respectful of the past. There’s no flair here, just cozy legacy, and that’s what makes it quietly unforgettable.
Charles H., Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Address: Four Seasons Hotel, Seoul, 97 Saemunan-ro
Named after the legendary drinker Charles H. Baker, this speakeasy-style bar hides discreetly behind an unmarked door in the hotel’s basement. Inside, AvroKO’s design mixes mahogany, velvet tapestries, apothecary bottles, and subtle Korean royal motifs for a New York‑meets‑Seoul vibe.
The cocktail menu revisits classics like the Velvet Martini—with Jeju Hallabong—or adventurous originals like Coconut Grove (rum, Thai red curry, fire tincture) and Spilled Milk (soju, coffee liqueur, black sesame). A place where every sip tells a story.
¡LA LUZ!, Sliema, Malta
Address: 139 Tower Road, Sliema SLM 1604, Malta
A cozy Mexican‑inspired cocktail bar on Sliema’s waterfront, ¡LA LUZ! stands for “The Light,” and that’s exactly how it feels when you walk in. The warm glow of neon praying hands welcomes you into a show, Young Pope, or so, with stone walls and painted skulls on, contemporary furnishings, and a naughty drinking menu, Ten Commandments – you should try Holy Water based on citrus, vodka, peach, and orange.
It was among the island’s first agave‑focused bars, serving tequila and mezcal cocktails made from fresh, in‑house ingredients. They don’t serve prosecco, but you can get Cava instead and a portion of simple corn nachos with homemade quacamole, micheladas, and todos.
Ask for the “Cono Margarita” or “Mezcal Cool”—they’re favorites, as is the relaxed, friendly vibe that keeps people coming back.
TENT Whiskey Bar 2nd, Seoul, South Korea
Address: Chungmu-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opened in 2023 and designed by plainoddity, this compact bar blends Korean tradition with sharp modern lines. A sculpted ceiling echoes roof tiles, benches rise from stone-like bases, and lattice screens soften the light. The back bar borrows from chaekgeori still-life paintings, stacking bottles like precious books.
With warm brick, wood, and plaster under low amber light, it feels less like a trendy lounge and more like a contemporary study in Seoul’s craft heritage—an intimate room where whiskey takes center stage. Here you can find whiskeys from America, Japan, and independent producers around the world. They also have ice cream and olives.
Artifact, Hong Kong, China
Address: Shop 5 & 7, LG/F, Basehall 02, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
A subterranean cocktail sanctuary that feels part spaceship, part art installation. Designed by Nelson Chow of NC Design + Architecture, its ribbed ceilings, mirrored dome, and glowing geometric lights channel a futuristic cistern. Opened in March 2023, it’s a cinematic escape hidden beneath Jardine House—where every detail, from texture to mood, whispers refined sci-fi.
Bar Souvenir, Bali, Indonesia
Address: Gg. Jalak VIB No. 4, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Tucked down a Bali laneway, this micro cocktail and sake bar by ZXC Studio trades the tourist bustle for hushed craftsmanship. Natural finishes, resin-topped tables, subtle scent design, and recycled rubber floors create a sensory, intimate retreat. It feels like a thoughtful artisan’s studio more than a bar.
A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK
Address: East London (exact street not publicly listed)
A graphic Bauhaus fantasy in bar form—tonal zones, primary-colored panels, and playful design detailing make this bar feel like art. Classic cocktails meet rotating staff-created “assignments.” Sharp, smart, and surprisingly warm.
Hachi Record Shop and Bar, Kyoto, Japan
Address: 19 Hiraicho, 1–2F, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8118, Japan
Part record store, part jazz‑tinged liquor bar—this Kyoto gem unspools vinyl upstairs and pours craft beers or sake downstairs. Set in an early‑20th‑century shopfront, it preserves old floors and stained‑glass windows while offering close‑listening sound and relaxed warmth. A quiet, analog escape.
Bar Nouveau, Paris, France
Address: 5 Rue des Haudriettes, 75003 Paris, France
A petite marvel in Le Marais, Bar Nouveau is dressed in delicate brass scrolls, mirrored bar fronts, and stained-glass whispers.
Designed by Rémy Savage, its two levels split between graceful Art Nouveau curves and moody, tech-forward intimacy—where the same cocktail feels classic on top, daring below.
Galaxy Bar, Dubai, UAE
Address: 5th Floor, The Galleria, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A jewel-box of deep midnight blue and gold, Galaxy Bar feels like stepping into the night sky. Designed by M Atelier, it features a glowing ceiling of constellations and intimate crescent booths. Cocktails are as polished as the décor—cosmic, balanced, and quietly glamorous. Opened in 2019, it’s already ranked among the world’s most beautiful bars.
HIMKOK, Oslo, Norway
Address: Storgata 27, 0184 Oslo, Norway
Named the global winner of the 2024 Bareksten Best Bar Design Award by The World’s 50 Best Bars, HIMKOK pairs a working distillery with a quietly handsome Nordic look—timber, copper stills, and a layout that moves you from lively bar to calmer corners.
Drinks lean local (aquavit, berries, herbs), made on site with a precise, unfussy style. It feels inventive without noise: Oslo craft, distilled.
ATLAS, Singapore
Address: Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778
A grand Art Deco lobby bar set inside Parkview Square, ATLAS is all soaring ceilings, burnished brass, and a three-storey gin tower—more cathedral than cocktail lounge. The room’s glamour is matched by meticulous classics and deep spirits lists; it’s also the Rémy Martin Legend of the List (2024) on Asia’s 50 Best, a nod to long-run excellence. Come for martinis, stay to stare.
Epulor, Tokyo, Japan
Address: Nakameguro, Tokyo, Japan (full street not publicly listed)
Epulor is where café chic meets wine bar calm. Think poured‑concrete, earthen tones, and vintage turntables playing at just‑below whisper. It’s a residential pace for drinks: measured, melodic, and as carefully curated as a vinyl shelf.
ANIMA, Berlin, Germany
Address: Friedrichshain (riverside area), Berlin, Germany (exact street not listed)
A sensual hideout in a city of grit, ANIMA’s walls curve in mint and rose hues over soft wood accents. Noé Duchaufour‑Lawrance’s design merges café serenity with listening bar intimacy, while Mediterranean plates and natural wine lean soft and human.
Night Hawk, Singapore
Address: 43 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-02, Singapore 088464
A 22-seat cocktail den pulling from Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks,” Night Hawk feels like stepping into a retro‑futurist painting. Cool neon accents, angled booths, and moody lighting wrap you in a quiet, cinematic hush—until the drinks arrive. Opened recently, it’s already earned Asia’s Best Bar design nods and turns modern alienation into lounge poetry.
Le Bon Funk (Club Street), Singapore
Address: 29 Club Street, Singapore 069414
A warm, low-lit wine bar where natural wines meet intimate design. Think rich wood tables, soft leather banquettes, simple plates, and a soothing, unhurried spirit. It’s less about flash and more about savoring the quiet edges of a night in Chinatown.
Eavesdrop, New York, USA
Address: 674 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA
Equal parts wine bar, izakaya, and listening room, Eavesdrop delivers with velvety wood paneling, boutique vinyl, and intimate lighting. Designed for conversation, not volume, it’s where craft cocktails meet curated playlists. Every seat—bar or booth—presents sound as the quiet star of the show.
GOTA, Madrid, Spain
Address: Calle de Prim, 5, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Calle Prim’s hidden treasure: GOTA pairs natural wine with minimalist warmth. Think terracotta arches, black stone floors, and soft lighting over a curated wine list and shareable plates. It’s an elegant wine bar born from the acid café scene—low-key, sophisticated, and undeniably Spanish.
The Kissaten, Lisbon, Portugal
Address: Rua Camilo Castelo Branco, 18 (basement of Locke de Santa Joana), 1150-084 Lisboa
Part acoustic sanctuary, part whisky bar: The Kissaten drops you into a dim, wood‑clad space with broadcast-grade turntables, Klipsch horn speakers, and a whisky collection of over 100 bottles. A perfect blend of Japanese listening-bar ethos and Lisbon’s craft elegance—it’s where sound, drink, and decor become one.
Meo, Vancouver, Canada
Address: 265 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T8
A retro‑glam bar perched in Chinatown. Meo blends 70s indulgence with modern finesse—plush pink booths, burnt orange accents, and vintage motifs inspired by old Hong Kong love motels. The vibe is playful, tactile, and designed to feel like dancing in your most stylish memory.
Sky Bar at Lebua (Rooftop), Bangkok, Thailand
Address: 64th floor, State Tower, 1055 Silom Road, Bangkok
Perched on the 64th floor of the State Tower, Sky Bar is one of the best rooftop bars in the world to visit in 2206. The bar offers a dizzying wraparound of Bangkok’s skyline—from river curves to temple spires.
Opened in 2003, its transparent walls, twinkling city lights, and a round LED-lit bar create a cinematic moment every sunset. It’s where gravity pauses and cocktails feel transcendent, and earning its place as the world’s highest open‑air bar is not an exaggeration.
Baba Nest (Beach Bar), Phuket, Thailand
Address: Sri Panwa Resort, 88 Moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Vichit, Phuket
Looking for the most beautiful beach bar? Perched atop Sri Panwa’s clifftop, Baba Nest reclines over the Andaman Sea as essentially an infinity deck suspended in air. Sunsets light the pool deck in molten gold; day fades into pastel horizon, cocktails in hand. It’s not just a beach bar—it’s a sky‑high beach romance without sand, where horizon and horizon align.
Vinstue 90, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
Address: Gammel Kongevej 90, 1850 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
A century-old Frederiksberg classic, Vinstue 90 is more about slow beers and soul than spectacle. This old-school pub (or bodega in Danish) pours old good Carlsberg beer and house red wine. The red-painted walls, velour glow, bookshelves, and chunky furniture give it an “if these walls could talk” feel. The service is warm, the crowd local, and it still serves the odd nostalgic shot from a personal artifact collection behind the bar and punky toilets. Simple, local and beautiful.
