London’s The Artesian Named The World’s Best Bar

Sex on the beach

London hotel bar The Artesian has cemented its stronghold as the best watering hole in the world by snagging the title for the second year in a row at a major international cocktail event in New Orleans this week.

The bar at London boutique hotel The Langham was named the World’s Best Bar at the 8th edition of Tales of the Cocktail festival, one of the most highly anticipated events for the cocktail and bartending world.

Bartender Simone Caporale also snagged the title of International Bartender of the Year, while The Artesian scooped up two more awards in categories such as Best International Hotel Bar and Best International Bar Team.

Under the direction of head bartender Alex Kratena, the upscale lounge elevates cocktails into a sensory, artistic and gastronomic experience that has included everything from opium incense to inflated pillows, smoke and mirrors.

Other major international winners at the event include 28 Hong Kong Street in Singapore, which took the title of Best International Cocktail Bar; The Aviary in Chicago for World’s Best Cocktail Menu; and The Dead Rabbit in New York, which took the title of World’s Best Drinks Selection.

Meanwhile, earlier this month The Artesian launched a new cocktail menu under the theme “Unfolding and Exploring,” that includes gemstones, larch, leather mushrooms and parsnip.

Cocktails are designed to ‘unfold’ throughout the drinking experience.

The ‘Will of the Woods,’ for instance, is described as a liquid forest, made with Glenlivet, Vermouth, larch, mushrooms, citrus and honey, served in a wooden drinking bowl.

And the ‘Selfie Compatible’ is a vaporized cocktail that contains Ron Zacapa 23 Floc De Gascogne, Verjus, Beer and Bitters.

The Artesian is also the reigning champion for the second year running on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.

The Artesian bar

Lebua’s Sky Bar ,the best view of Bangkok.

The State Tower rooftop is a place of weight contrasts. The enormous quasi-neoclassicist central rotunda dominates the space, dwarfing a number of zoned spaces surrounding it.

Some of these spaces seem too big, like the huge staircase leading to the open-space Sirocco restaurant, some too small: the Sky Bar tends to get quite crowded. Nevermind. We did not go there for the architecture or innovative design—though the Sky Bar itself looks really cool.

 Built on an oval platform protruded from the edge of the building, suspended some 75 metres above the streets of Bangkok, the Sky is thought to be the funkiest bar space in Bangkok, its futuristic lights and shape befitting the spectacular views of the city.

 We visited it for a sundowner and can attest: witnessing the sun setting in the Bangkok’s haze, seen from the umpteenth floor of the Lebua tower is a spectacle to die for. The panorama of the city, with the Chao Phraya River winding its way through the grey mass of urban sprawl is simply stunning.

Sky Bar is one of the most popular hangouts in Bangkok, with both tourists and locals crowding the space, especially in the early evening. The bar is open daily from 18:00 to 01:00 (last order at 23:30).

We had some Mohitos, but were also recommended the signature cocktail Sunset 63 on Absolut vodka, with Cointreau, pineapple juice and orange.

 Lebua at State Tower is a large business hotel in the centre of Bangkok. The other features of its post-modernist rooftop are the massive dome, which hosts a restaurant as well as the distinctive glass tympanum reflecting the lights of the city and the hotel, located slightly below (on the 52 floor).

Apollo 70 Airstream Bar

The Airstream Bar by Apollo 70 would definitely be a great addition to any party, not only because of its amazing looks but also thanks to its outstanding practicality. Originally a Land Yacht, this Airstream Bar by Apollo 70 can be rented out to anyone who needs it for a special event or celebration.

The 4-wheeled bar flaunts a comprehensive array of drinks that are served by highly skilled staff members. Some of these drinks include delicious cocktails, locally sourced craft beers or other delicious beverages, but the surprises don’t end here!
Highly versatile, the Apollo 70 Airstream Bar can easily be converted to a food truck that serves gourmet dishes or delicious Belgium chocolates. Sounds pretty good, right?