Pinnacle Guide reveals first pins

The inaugural list for The Pinnacle Guide has been unveiled with 37 bars from around the world selected.

The guide uses a rating system based on ‘pins’ that is said to be the bar equivalent to the restaurant industry’s Michelin stars.

Bars are considered for the honour through various factors, which include exceptional service from front of house, the drinks programme, look and feel of the venue, operations and community (inclusiveness and responsible drinking).

The bars must also showcase a commitment to sustainability and a minimum of two carefully considered non-alcoholic drinks on the menu.

Pins are awarded through three tiers – one pin, two pin, or three pins – with the latter being the highest recognition that the guide offers.

For the opening set of pins, 25 bars demonstrated one pin status, 12 bars were awarded two pins and none received three-pin classification. The shortlisted bars came from seven countries: the UK, the US, Australia, Dubai, Mexico, Singapore, and Spain.

They are:

TWO PIN BARS

Atlas – Singapore
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour – Phoenix, US
Nipperkin – London, UK
Origin Bar, Shangri-La Singapore – Singapore
Panda & Sons – Edinburgh, UK
Paradiso – Barcelona, Spain
Pretty Decent – Louisville, US
Selva – Oaxaca, Mexico
The American Bar at Gleneagles – Auchterarder, UK
The Spy Bar at Raffles London – London, UK
Thunderbolt – Los Angeles, US
True Laurel – San Francisco, US

ONE PIN BARS

Artesian – London, UK
Ballroom by Barbary Coast – Singapore
Blue Bar at The Berkeley – London, UK
Couch – Birmingham, UK
Cure – New Orleans, US
El Primo Sanchez –Sydney, Australia
Kiki Lounge – Isle of Man, UK
Kol Mezcaleria – London, UK
Kwãnt Mayfair – London, UK
Little Rituals – Phoenix, US
Magnus on Water – Maine, US
Maybe Sammy – Sydney, Australia
Meteor – Minneapolis, US
Milady’s – New York City, US
Nightjar Shoreditch – London, UK
Passing Fancies – Birmingham, UK
Rattlebag – Belfast, UK
Roka Dubai – Dubai, UAE
Sexy Fish – London, UK
Sexy Fish – Manchester UK
Side Hustle – London, UK
Swift Soho – London, UK
The Dead Rabbit – New York City, US
The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London – London, UK
Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese – London, UK

The Pinnacle Guide was set up by London Cocktail Week co-founders Hannah Sharmon-Cox and Siobhan Payne, and Global Bartending founder Dan Dove.

The judging criteria was published after an 18-month consultation period with the trade.

Dove said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible response to the first round of applications for The Pinnacle Guide.

“In revealing this first list, we have been able to realise our goal of celebrating the extraordinary range of cocktail bars the world has to offer – from tiny drinking dens to majestic hotel bars.

“We’re proud of our unique submissions process, which has allowed these deserving bars to shine – and we’re excited to shed light on many many more in the months and years to come.”

Applications for the guide are always open.