World’s Best Bars 2023: A Meme‑Fuelled Unfiltered Tour

Why Rankings Even Exist (Spoiler: They Don’t)

Let’s be real: you scroll through “world’s best bars 2023” lists while half‑asleep, clutching a cheap IPA, and wonder if anyone actually drinks at these places or if they’re just Instagram‑ready backdrops for influencers to pose with a neon sign that says “Good Vibes Only.” The answer? Mostly the latter. But hey, we love a good hierarchy—especially when it comes with a side of sarcasm and a garnish of meme culture. So buckle up, because this guide is the love‑child of a Reddit AMA, a BuzzFeed listicle, and a brutally honest bartender who’s seen it all.

The Top 10 Bars That Actually Deserve a Toast (or at Least a Double‑Take)

1. The Neon Narwhal – Tokyo, Japan
   If you ever wanted to feel like a unicorn in a sea of corporate drones, this place has a glow‑in‑the‑dark bar top that syncs to your playlist. Bonus points for their “Sake‑Sake Baby” cocktail that tastes like a neon dream and a bad decision.
2. Speakeasy 404 – Berlin, Germany
   Hidden behind a fake Wi‑Fi password (“iloveyou”), this joint serves a “Berliner Weisse” so sour it makes you question your life choices. Perfect for those who enjoy existential dread with a side of pretzel.
3. The Velvet Rope – New York, USA
   A pretentious yet oddly comforting place where you can order a Manhattan while scrolling through memes about how you “don’t drink cheap beer.” Their “Wall Street Sour” will make your portfolio feel as volatile as your weekend plans.
4. Bar del Sol – Barcelona, Spain
   Sun‑kissed patio, sangria that could double as a tropical hurricane, and a DJ that only plays Reggaeton remixes of 90s rock. If you’re looking for a vibe that screams “I’m on vacation but also broke,” this is it.
5. Pixel Pint – San Francisco, USA
   A tech‑startup themed bar where the taps are labeled v0.1 through v9.9. Their “Beta Brew” is a craft IPA that crashes your taste buds like a bad code merge.
6. Grog & Grumble – Dublin, Ireland
   If you love a good story about a leprechaun that stole your wallet, this is the place. Their Guinness on tap is so smooth you’ll forget you ever cared about the Irish recession.
7. Moonshine Mansion – Austin, USA
   A dive bar with a rooftop that looks like a UFO landing pad. Their “Alien Abduction” cocktail comes with a side of conspiracy theories and a free “I’m not a government agent” sticker.
8. La Casa del Cóctel – Mexico City, Mexico
   A speakeasy behind a taco stand. Order the “Guac‑On‑the‑Rocks” and you’ll understand why everyone’s shouting “¡Salud!” while simultaneously debating the best meme format.
9. Rooftop Rager – Sydney, Australia
   The only bar where the skyline competes with the neon lights for your attention. Their “Boomerang Bourbon” will have you feeling like you’re on a boomerang ride—back to the bar, again.
10. Underground Umbrella – London, UK
    A literal underground bar with a giant umbrella ceiling that drips rain on request. Their “London Fog” is a gin‑based cocktail that makes you feel like a detective in a noir film—if detectives drank gin and solved Instagram mysteries.

These spots have survived the brutal scrutiny of both locals and tourists who think they’re “too cool for school.” If you manage to survive the hype, you’ll earn bragging rights that last longer than a TikTok trend.

Hidden Gems Only Influencers Know (And Why You Should Skip Them)

There’s a secret sub‑culture of bars that exist solely to be discovered by someone with a 10‑million‑follower Instagram account. They’re the kind of places where the bartender’s name is “Kale” and the menu is a PDF that changes every hour based on the “vibe.” Below are three you’ll probably want to avoid unless you enjoy paying $20 for a drink that tastes like a kale smoothie.

• Plant‑Based Pub – Portland, USA – Every cocktail is served in a recycled mason jar and comes with a side of “I’m saving the planet, one overpriced drink at a time.”
• VR Vibes – Seoul, South Korea – Put on a headset, order a neon‑colored cocktail, and watch a virtual DJ spin. The only thing more confusing than the drink is the fact that you can’t actually taste the virtual garnish.
• Silent Sips – Reykjavik, Iceland – A bar where you must communicate via text messages on your phone. Great for introverts, terrible for anyone who actually wants to talk to the bartender about why the ice is melting faster than your willpower.

These places are great for a quick Instagram story, but if you’re looking for genuine human interaction (or just a decent drink), stick to the list above.

How to Choose a Bar Without Pretending You’re Sophisticated

Choosing a bar is like picking a Netflix show: you either binge‑watch the whole thing or regret the entire experience. Here’s a quick cheat‑sheet to help you decide without sounding like a pretentious wine‑snob:

1. Check the Wi‑Fi name. If it’s something like “FreeBeer4U” or “GetYourOwnWiFi”, you’re probably safe. If it’s “Password: 12345”, run.
2. Look at the lighting. Dim lights = romance or a dive. Bright lights = “I’m here to work on my novel.” Choose based on your mood.
3. Read the menu. If the cocktail names are puns about 90s sitcoms, you’re in for a meme‑heavy night.
4. Observe the crowd. If everyone is taking selfies, you’ll either get great content or feel like you’re in a living Instagram story.
5. Ask the bartender. A good bartender will tell you the secret menu (if there is one) and also recommend a drink that won’t ruin your liver.

Pro tip: If the bar has a Home page that looks like a corporate landing page, you’re probably better off ordering a beer from your couch and binge‑watching a documentary about bars.

The Science of Booze‑Induced Decision Making (and Why You’ll Still Regret It at 2 AM)

Alcohol is basically a brain‑hacking tool. It lowers inhibitions, makes you think you’re a superhero, and convinces you that “just one more drink” won’t hurt. Here’s a quick rundown of what actually happens when you’re sipping a craft cocktail at 11 PM:

• Prefrontal Cortex Shutdown – Your ability to make rational decisions goes on vacation. That’s why you’ll end up ordering a $30 “Molecular Mixology” drink that tastes like a science experiment gone wrong.
• Increased Dopamine – Your brain releases feel‑good chemicals, which is why you suddenly think you’re the life of the party, even if you’re the only one dancing.
• Memory Impairment – By 2 AM, you’ll forget the name of the bar, the taste of the drink, and possibly the fact that you promised to call your mom.

Understanding this can help you plan a night that ends with a story, not a regret. And if you’re feeling extra responsible, you can always use a service like Sell your beer online through Dropt.beer to pre‑order a safe ride home.

Pro Tips: Turn Your Bar Crawl Into a Marketing Strategy (Because Why Not?)

If you’re a brand, a budding influencer, or just someone who likes to think they’re a marketing guru, you can actually monetize your bar‑hopping adventures. Here’s how to do it without looking like a desperate college student:

1. Document, Document, Document – Use a mix of short TikTok clips, Instagram reels, and a single, well‑crafted blog post (like this one). Keep it authentic; people can smell desperation from a mile away.
2. Tag the Venue – Always tag the bar’s official account. If they repost, you get free exposure. If they don’t, you get a polite DM asking you to stop.
3. Leverage Affiliate Links – Partner with platforms like Beer distribution marketplace (Dropt.beer) to earn a commission on any sales that come from your audience.
4. Cross‑Promote Internal Services – If you’re a craft brewery, direct readers to Make Your Own Beer or Custom Beer pages. It’s a win‑win.
5. Engage with a CTA – End every post with a call‑to‑action that feels like a meme, not a sales pitch. Something like “Swipe up if you want to keep your liver intact.”

Remember, the goal is to look cool, not desperate. If you can make your audience laugh while subtly sliding a link in, you’ve won the internet.

Final Thoughts: Drink, Laugh, Repeat (But Maybe Call a Cab)

There you have it: a no‑holds‑barred, meme‑infused, SEO‑optimized guide to the world’s best bars of 2023. Whether you’re a seasoned bar‑fly, a casual weekend warrior, or a brand looking to turn happy hour into happy revenue, this list has something for you. So grab your phone, charge your camera, and get ready to collect more stories than your grandma’s Facebook timeline.

And if you’re still on the fence about which bar to hit first, just remember the wise words of every drunk philosopher ever: “The best bar is the one where you end up with a good story and a decent hangover.”

Ready to level up your drinking game? Contact us for custom bar‑hopping itineraries, or check out how to Grow Your Business With Strategies Beer. Cheers to memes, cocktails, and the endless pursuit of the perfect night out!