11 Stunning Bars Worth Traveling For: From Italian Clifftops to Manhattan Rooftops in 2026

A bar isn't just a place to grab a drink—it's a stage, an altar, and increasingly, a reason to book a flight.

The world's finest cocktail venues have transcended their functional purpose to become architectural statements, cultural landmarks, and pilgrimages for design-conscious travelers. Whether you're seeking a clifftop escape on the Italian Riviera or a rooftop perch 50 floors above Manhattan, these 11 bars represent the cutting edge of hospitality design and mixology craft.

The Evolution of Cocktail Culture

The modern cocktail bar renaissance didn't happen overnight. During the prohibition era of 1920s America and the tiki bar boom of the 1930s, bars became vessels for escapism. But it was the 1990s—the era of Cool Britannia—that truly redefined cocktail culture.

Legendary London venues like Match Bar, The Met, and the Atlantic Bar led a youthful revolution. It was at the Atlantic where bartender Dick Bradsell invented the now-iconic Espresso Martini, a drink that would define the decade. This creative explosion rippled globally, leading to today's diverse, craft-focused cocktail scene.

Reddit: "A good bar is an escape pod from reality. Design matters as much as the martini." — r/travel

The Masterpieces Worth Your Miles

The Mulberry, New York City

Opening in 2023, The Mulberry filled a void in New York nightlife that had existed since the early 2000s—the era of legendary addresses like the Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel and the speakeasy-turned-nightclub Beatrice Inn.

Swedish design studio Ateljé Nordöst created what the founders describe as a "living room for like-minded people." The space features intimate hideaway areas, low ceilings, and a historically significant detail: an inlaid brass 'M' logo in the entrance, directly transposed from a signature on the original liquor license dating back to 1895.

The VIP Whisper Room—reportedly a favorite of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio—features a domed ceiling and a curvaceous banquette. Order their house specialty: a dirty martini made with housemade blue cheese.

Nubeluz, New York City

Perched on the 50th floor of the Ritz-Carlton NoMad, Nubeluz commands superlative views of the Manhattan skyline. The name itself is a portmanteau of Spanish words: nube (cloud) and luz (light).

Designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the rooftop transforms at night. The onyx bar glows like molten gold, appearing to float against the sparkling cityscape below. The cocktail menu mirrors the geography: divided into Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown sections. Try the Melon Cloud—a Midtown signature made with Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila, chai, Provence melon, and lemon.

The Connaught, London

One of London's most prestigious hotel addresses hosts not one, but two of the capital's most legendary bars. When David Collins Studio reimagined the former American Bar in 2007, the goal was to honor the hotel's heritage—the building comprises two houses originally owned by the Duke of Westminster.

The redesigned space features architecturally linked rooms with shimmering wall surfaces created by Paris-based artist Pierre Bonnefille, complemented by furniture detailing inspired by Savile Row tailoring. Nearby, hidden behind a velvet curtain, the Red Room functions as a speakeasy, designed by Bryan O'Sullivan Studio and inspired by Louise Bourgeois artwork titled 'I Am Rouge'.

Order a bespoke Connaught Martini, served from a dedicated trolley by attentive staff.

Sketch, London

This Mayfair institution is more than a bar—it's a complex of galleries, restaurants, and bars housed within an 18th-century Grade II listed townhouse. Each room reflects a distinct designer's vision.

The Gallery is the most iconic space. India Mahdavi refreshed her original candy-pink design in 2022 for the bar's 20th anniversary, introducing a sunshine-yellow theme with metallic wallpaper and gold banquettes. The East Bar & Pods, designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, offer a space-age counterpoint to the enchanted forest vibes of the Glade.

Head to the Glade's 'drinks laboratory' for the Alchemy Espresso Martini—a crystal-clear coffee martini infused with hazelnut and tonka bean.

Maison Souquet, Paris

Tucked inside a former belle époque "pleasure house" in Paris's Pigalle district, Maison Souquet underwent a luxurious transformation in 2015. Architect Jacques Garcia converted the red-light district address into a five-star boutique hotel, with the bar at its decadent heart.

Velvet banquettes in crimson and purple, dark-wood panelling, and silk-shaded lamps transport guests to fin-de-siècle fantasy. Gilded mirrors and chandeliers cast warm light over an array of curios and art. Cocktails honor the neighborhood's past, with names like The Leila—raspberry-infused vodka, St Germain, citrus, and ginger ale.

Casino Royal Palm, French Riviera

For nearly a century, Cannes' Royal Palm casino has embodied the riches and mythology of the French Riviera. Built during the art deco age with belle époque echoes, the Palm Beach address was recently reimagined by local architectural duo Caprini & Pellerin.

The design draws influence from Bauhaus, Dadaism, and Surrealism—with unmistakable echoes of Wes Anderson's cinematic aesthetic in its symmetry and whimsy. Sit at the exquisite Botticini marble bar, crowned by a custom satin chandelier, and order a Porn Star Martini: Cîroc French Vanilla Vodka, Passoã, fresh passion fruit, and Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne.

Baratta Sedici, Italy

On a clifftop perch above the azure Ligurian Sea, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, reopened in 2025 after a multi-year renovation led by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Baratta Sedici, the hotel's legendary cocktail spot, sits at the heart of the redesign.

This pretty jewel box of a bar features hand-painted botanical murals, backlit onyx and copper panels, and libations like the Negroni La Vela—made with local Portofino Gin, Campari, Amaro Camatti, and Pineo. If you're seeking that perfect clifftop Instagram moment with a world-class cocktail, this is it.

Cochinchina, Buenos Aires

Step into Cochinchina in Buenos Aires' vibrant Palermo district, and you'll enter the vanished world of French Indochina. Since opening in 2020 under bartender-designer Inés de los Santos, this homage to Vietnam and France has become one of Latin America's premier cocktail destinations, steadily climbing The World's 50 Best Bars list.

Neon signs usher patrons into a softly lit space designed by local interior designer Eme Carranza. Patrons gather around the buzzy U-shaped central bar or climb the mirrored stairway to sample a tasting menu. Franco-Vietnamese small plates pair perfectly with standout cocktails like the Jazmin Shanghai, marrying whisky with Southeast Asian spice.

Why These Bars Matter

Hotel bars have historically led shifts in cocktail culture. As Ben Reed, former manager of London's legendary Met Bar, once observed: "A bar is both a stage and an altar." Hotel licenses operate outside normal rules, enabling the kind of escapist experiences that define bar culture.

The bars featured in Cultural Union's photographic book, The World's Most Beautiful Bars: Extraordinary Bars by the World's Leading Designers, showcase how architecture, design, and craft cocktails converge to create unforgettable experiences. These aren't just places to drink—they're destinations in themselves.

Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast, design aficionado, or simply seeking unique travel experiences, these 11 venues deserve a spot on your itinerary. Pack your passport and order that martini.

Exceptional bars are proof that hospitality design can be transformative art.

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Disclaimer: Travel recommendations and bar locations are based on current information as of June 2026. Hours, menus, and availability may change. Always verify operating status and dress codes before visiting, especially for upscale venues requiring reservations.