The Savoy-based bar climbed from last year’s second spot to be named the world’s best for the first time, having featured in seven of the nine World’s 50 Best Bars lists.

Run by head bartender Erik Lorincz and bar manager Declan McGurk, the American Bar toppled last year’s champion, The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog from New York, which was also leapfrogged by two other hotel bars.

Dandelyan at Mondrian London, which is run by Ryan Chetiyawardana and Iain Griffiths, finished second, Leo Robitschek’s Nomad Bar from the Nomad Hotel in New York was named North America’s Best Bar finishing third and Connaught Bar from the Connaught Hotel completed the quartet.

It was another year of domination from London and New York – widely considered as the bar capitals of the world - with London contributing eight and New York seven bars to the 50-strong list.

This year the World’s 50 Best Bars was voted for by an Academy of 505 worldwide experts from 55 countries.

Outside of the top five, the list featured bars from a further 17 countries, with The Clumsies from Athens in Greece, Manhattan at the Regent Hotel from Singapore (Best Bar in Asia) and Speak Low from Shanghai in China making the top ten.

Singapore was the big mover this year, contributing six of the 50 bars – a number only ever bettered by New York and London.

There were 11 dropouts from last year, including former winner PDT from New York. Of the incoming 11 bars, seven are new names – Atlas, Sweet Liberty, Indulge Experimental Bistro, Black Tail, Le Syndicat, Bar Benfiddich, Native – and four are those that have appeared in previous years.

The night also saw the advent of a host of new awards. Julio Bermejo was named the Industry Icon for 2017 and Iain Griffiths of Dandelyan, Super Lyan and Trash Tiki received the Bartenders’ Bartender award.

Best New Opening (outside of the list) was El Paradiso from Barcelona and Black Pearl picked up the award for Legend of the List. The Melbourne venue has uninterrupted presence in The World’s 50 Best Bars over the nine years it has been running.

Drinks International is the official trade media partner to The World’s 50 Best Bars, which is now owned and run by William Reed Business Media.

The list in full.

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