These are the 50 'best bars' in the world for 2021 - CNBC

That's according to "The World's 50 Best Bars," an annual ranking by William Reed Business Media, a U.K.-based company that also publishes "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" list.

In 13 years, only three bars — Milk and Honey, Artesian and now, Connaught Bar — have topped the world's "best bar" list more than once.

Previous bar winners can vie for the top ranking year after year, unlike The World's 50 Best restaurants list, which precludes winners from competing in subsequent years.

"We haven't seen in the bar sector people winning year on year," said Mark Sansom, 50 Best's content editor.

This year's ranking includes bars from 17 countries, with 18 new entries to the list.

Licoreria Limantour, Mexico City5

Coa, Hong Kong.

Hanky Panky, Mexico City*.

Presidente, Buenos Aires.

Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City*.

Baltra Bar, Mexico City*.

Darkside, Hong Kong*.

Quinary, Hong Kong.

Asia and Europe tied for the most bars named to the list — 16 each

Singapore topped Asia's standings with six bars, while Hong Kong and Shanghai both lodged three

In Europe, London bars took three spots on the list — including the prestigious No

Eight bars in North America made the list

New York City — home to previous No

For the first time, Mexico City fared better than New York

Four of its bars appeared on the list, with Licorería Limantour taking the No.6 spot

Three South American bars — all in Buenos Aires, Argentina — made the top 50 list, with Floreria Atlantico in fifth place

Australia etched four bars onto the list — three in Sydney, one in Melbourne — and the Middle East another two, both in Dubai

The list is a compilation of votes cast by some 600 industry "experts," according to the 50 Best organization

"They're selected from roughly a third bartenders and bar owners; roughly one-third journalists, drink writers and educators; and roughly one-third cocktail aficionados," said Sansom

Each voter chooses the seven best bars they've been to in the past 18 months

There is no set criteria and voters can evaluate whatever factors they choose, said Sansom

been rewarded," said Sansom

Media and television shows influence the popularity of certain types of cocktails, said Sansom, who recounted some of the key cocktail trends of the past three decades

"At the moment we're seeing a lot of different styles of vermouth being introduced," Sansom said referring to the herb and spice infused fortified wine