We were in Amsterdam when an entire generation of Greek bartenders saw two decades of hard work rewarded. Six Greek bars made Europe’s 50 Best Bars, with two claiming the No.1 and No.2 spots.
By Denny Kallivoka
I still remember the summer of 2004. Greece had reached the Round of 16 of the UEFA European Championship, then the quarter-finals, then the semi-finals, and somehow, against all expectations, the final. I’ve never really been a football fan, but that night I could barely breathe. My stomach was in knots. And when Greece became European champions, we screamed with joy. It felt as if our lungs simply weren’t big enough to contain that much happiness.
That is exactly how I felt in Amsterdam.
I was there for the inaugural Europe’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony—an initiative I genuinely believe Europe needed. Not only because it celebrates the continent’s finest bars, but because it gives many more outstanding venues the international recognition they deserve. Bars that may not yet have found their way onto The World’s 50 Best Bars list, but have already become destinations for people who truly love bartending.
And that’s good news for everyone. For the bars. For the bartenders.
For travellers searching for memorable experiences.
And ultimately, for the entire European bar community.
That evening, on 30 June, the countdown began.
One by one, the names appeared.
At No.33, it was Gorilla, proudly representing Thessaloniki—one of the very few smaller European cities, alongside Innsbruck and Kraków, to make the list.
Then came The Clumsies at No.30.
Baba au Rum at No.14—a bar that has remained among the world’s elite for more than a decade and, in my view, was the first to open international doors for Greek bars.
Then Barro Negro at No.13, proving that a Greek agave bar could stand proudly among Europe’s very best.
The countdown continued.
Then we reached the Top 5.
Around us were some of Europe’s greatest bars.
And two of them were from Athens.
We looked at each other.
When the No.3 bar was announced—and it wasn’t Greek—we erupted, just as we had back in 2004. Once again, there simply wasn’t enough air in our lungs.
The Bar in Front of the Bar was named No.2 in Europe.
A few seconds later, Line was crowned The Best Bar in Europe.
Honestly…
I can’t remember many moments in my life when I have felt so proud.
Not simply because of the awards.
But because I knew exactly what stood behind them.
It wasn’t just Line that won. An entire generation was rewarded.
What happened that evening wasn’t only about six Greek bars.
It was about an entire generation of people.
A generation that spent the last twenty years travelling the world, attending seminars, working guest shifts, exchanging ideas, collaborating, experimenting, failing, trying again and constantly evolving.
A generation that believed Greece could stand alongside the world’s greatest bar scenes.
Some opened the first doors.
Others pushed them even wider.
Today, a new generation continues that journey.
That’s why this achievement belongs not only to Line, nor only to The Bar in Front of the Bar.
It validates an entire journey.
It proves that when a community is built on knowledge, collaboration and generosity, it can achieve far more than anyone imagined.
Most of our bars are small independent businesses. That’s what makes this achievement even more remarkable.
What happened in Amsterdam was extraordinary.
Not because Greek bars didn’t deserve it.
But because most of them are still small independent businesses, run by owners who continue to work behind the bar every single day.
They don’t have major investors. They don’t have unlimited budgets.
They have people. They have teams. They have thousands of hours of hard work.
They have sacrificed personal time. They have invested their own money.
Above all, they have endless passion.
And perhaps most importantly, they belong to a community that chose to share knowledge instead of keeping it to itself.
I truly believe that’s one of the greatest strengths of the Greek bar scene.
Very important
Over the past two decades, bartending has been shaped by people who genuinely love what they do.
They travel the world, exchange ideas and influences, then return home inspired by everything they have learned.
They have led conversations around equality, inclusion and sustainability, and in doing so, have helped make our industry—and perhaps even the world around us—a little better.
I truly believe they are among Greece’s greatest ambassadors abroad.
They represent a modern Greece.
A Greece that is open-minded.
A Greece that works hard, strives for excellence and understands the true meaning of hospitality.
A Greece that proudly showcases its products, its wines, its spirits and, of course, its bars.
Our bartenders invest their time, their money and, above all, their hearts into introducing Greece to guests from every corner of the world.
Today, thousands of travellers choose to visit our country because they first experienced it through the eyes—and the hospitality—of people they trust.
Our bars have become ambassadors.
Ambassadors of goodwill.
And today, Greek bartenders are making their mark far beyond Greece itself.
Kostas Karvounis at Dunlin in Innsbruck.
Vangelis and Aeneas at Late Bloomers in Zurich.
Sofoklis and his team at Nouvelle Vague in Tirana, whose work has transformed not only their own bar but also the perception of an entire country’s cocktail scene.
Sotiris Konomis at Spy Bar.
Angelos Bafas at Kato.
Thanos Tzanetopoulos at Savoy Bar.
And I’m certain I’m leaving many deserving names out.
The point is that Greek talent is now impossible to ignore.
Because Greek hospitality is no longer just something defined by geography.
It has become a culture that travels with its people.
I write all of this with such emotion because I was fortunate enough to witness it from the very beginning. So was Eleni.
We watched the first steps of the modern Greek bar scene. We saw people paying for their own flights just to learn.
Coming home with new ideas. Sharing them openly.
Helping one another grow. And perhaps, as two of the people who have had the privilege of following this remarkable journey for more than twenty years, we like to think that we, too, may have contributed—however modestly—to its story.
So today, there are only two things left for me to say.
We celebrate you. And we couldn’t be prouder of you.
1st Europe’s 50 Best Bars
The inaugural edition of Europe’s 50 Best Bars, announced in Amsterdam, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the European bar industry.
Rather than replacing The World’s 50 Best Bars, this new ranking complements it, offering a broader and more detailed picture of the creativity, diversity and quality that define today’s European cocktail scene.
And if this first edition is anything to go by, it was long overdue.
This year’s list features 50 bars across 22 cities, showcasing the remarkable breadth of European bartending. From Athens, London and Barcelona to Paris, Milan, Oslo, Prague, Bratislava, Zurich, Innsbruck and Thessaloniki, it proves that creativity is no longer concentrated in just a handful of capitals.
In fact, I believe the list will become even more diverse in the years to come.
Athens at the top of Europe
Without question, Athens was the city’s biggest story of the night.
Line was crowned The Best Bar in Europe as well as The Best Bar in Greece, confirming a journey many of us have watched unfold over the past few years.
Housed in a former art gallery in Kato Petralona, the venue created by Vasilis Kyritsis, Nikos Bakoulis and Dimitris Dafopoulos has developed an entirely original identity—one built around fermentation, circular sustainability and a holistic approach that has helped shape the wider European conversation around sustainable bartending.
But Athens didn’t stop there.
The Bar in Front of the Bar claimed the No.2 spot, proving that the Greek capital is no longer represented by just one outstanding venue, but by an entire bar scene that now ranks among Europe’s finest.
Completing this extraordinary Greek presence were Barro Negro (No.13), Baba au Rum (No.14), The Clumsies (No.30) and Gorilla from Thessaloniki (No.33).
Six Greek bars.
One extraordinary achievement.
One that would have seemed almost unimaginable only a few years ago.
The six Greek bars that conquered Europe
LINE (No.1)
Line didn’t become Europe’s best bar by following trends. It became Europe’s best because it created its own philosophy. Built around fermentation, circular sustainability and a holistic approach to ingredient utilisation, it has helped redefine the way Europe’s bar community thinks about sustainability. Yet for all its innovation, Line never loses sight of the most important thing: delicious cocktails and genuine hospitality. It isn’t simply a great bar. It is a bar that has opened an entirely new path.
The Bar in Front of the Bar (No.2)
From the moment you walk through the door, you realise that hospitality here isn’t a slogan—it’s a way of life. The team’s energy, warmth and generosity, combined with outstanding cocktails, create an experience that lingers long after you’ve left. It’s hardly surprising that the bar climbed to No.2 in Europe in such a short time. The passion and energy of Konstantinos and Nikos Theodorakopoulos, Alex Tselepis and their entire team are unlike anything else.
Barro Negro (No.13)
When Barro Negro first opened, many believed that a bar dedicated to tequila and agave spirits would appeal only to a niche audience. It proved everyone wrong. Through exceptional knowledge, authenticity and unwavering consistency, it has become one of Europe’s leading agave destinations. Led by Stelios Papadopoulos, Giorgos Kavaklis and their team, Barro Negro doesn’t simply serve remarkable cocktails—it educates, inspires and celebrates an entire culture.
Baba au Rum (No.14)
If one bar changed the course of the Greek cocktail movement, it was Baba au Rum—and, more specifically, Thanos Prunarus. It was the first bar to prove internationally that Athens belonged alongside the world’s great cocktail capitals. Perhaps even more impressively, it remains just as relevant today as it was when it first opened. Exceptional cocktails. World-class hospitality. A team that never stops evolving. And Thanos himself, who has become one of the industry’s most respected mentors worldwide.
The Clumsies (No.30)
Few bars have contributed more to establishing Athens as one of Europe’s leading cocktail destinations than The Clumsies.
Creative, energetic and constantly evolving, it has built an extraordinary relationship with both its local and international guests while remaining one of the defining references of the modern Greek bar scene.
Gorilla (No.33)
Gorilla’s place on the list represents far more than the success of a single bar. It represents Thessaloniki.Through relentless work, a clear identity and an outstanding drinks programme, Gorilla has shown that great ideas are not born only in capital cities. Together with Gorilla, Thessaloniki has firmly earned its place on Europe’s cocktail map.
Success Isn’t Measured by Rankings Alone
Six Greek bars in the inaugural edition of Europe’s 50 Best Bars.
Of course, rankings matter. Recognition matters.But the true significance of this achievement lies somewhere else. We are talking about a great Greek bar scene.
One that extends well beyond the six venues celebrated on this year’s list. A scene that includes dozens of remarkable bars which, for one reason or another, have simply never sought international recognition.
And the Greek story doesn’t stop at Greece’s borders.
Over the last decade, more and more Greek bartenders and bar owners have built extraordinary careers abroad, proving that Greek hospitality isn’t confined to a place on the map.
It is a culture. One that travels with its people.
Europe Has Never Been More Exciting
If this inaugural edition of Europe’s 50 Best Bars proved anything, it is that Europe has become one of the most exciting cocktail destinations in the world.
Every city has developed its own identity.
Every bar tells a different story.
And that is precisely what makes this list so fascinating.
In Oslo, Himkok remains one of my favourite bars anywhere in the world.
In London, the legendary Connaught Bar continues to set the benchmark for timeless elegance and flawless execution, while Tayēr + Elementary remains one of the most influential bars shaping modern cocktail culture.
Scarfes Bar is still one of Europe’s finest hotel bars, while Edinburgh’s wonderfully imaginative Panda & Sons continues to redefine what a cocktail menu can be.
London’s Waltz, recognised as Best New Opening, is proof that one of the world’s great cocktail capitals continues to reinvent itself.
Barcelona remains equally extraordinary.
Sips has once again confirmed its status as one of the defining cocktail bars of our era, while the historic Boadas reminds us that true elegance never goes out of fashion.
And then there’s Paradiso, a bar whose remarkable hospitality matches the creativity of its drinks.
It is a place that never stops evolving, seamlessly combining craftsmanship, sustainability, in-house production and heartfelt hospitality in a way few bars ever achieve.
Then there is Mirror Bar in Bratislava, brilliantly led by Stan Harciník.The beautiful Moebius in Milan, one of the finest examples of hospitality anywhere in Europe. The legendary Camparino. And so many others.
The Special Awards
Alongside the main ranking, the evening also celebrated several individuals and venues that continue to shape the future of our industry.
Legendary bartender Salvatore Calabrese received the Roku Industry Icon Award, recognising a career that has influenced modern bartending like few others. From turning Duke’s Bar into the world’s ultimate Martini destination to creating the iconic Breakfast Martini, The Maestro continues to inspire generations of bartenders around the globe.
London’s Waltz received the Three Cents Best New Opening Award, while Panda & Sons in Edinburgh was recognised for the year’s Best Cocktail Menu.
Paris’ De Vie was honoured for its outstanding commitment to sustainability, and Budapest’s Hide received the award for Best Bar Design.
A special mention also goes to Mirror Bar in Bratislava, winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.
To me, it is one of the most meaningful awards a bar can receive. Because techniques can be taught. Recipes can be copied. Design can be recreated. True hospitality cannot.
That Night in Amsterdam…
When the ceremony ended, I went for a walk through Amsterdam.
Alone.
I wasn’t thinking about rankings.
Or trophies.
Or who had finished first.
I was thinking about people.
The people I’ve met behind bars over the last twenty years.
Those who started with little more than a dream.
Those who paid for their own flights just to attend a masterclass or spend a few days learning alongside someone they admired.
Those who worked twelve-hour shifts behind the bar before heading out to discover another venue, attend a seminar or simply keep learning.
Those who believed that one day Greece could earn its place among the world’s great bar communities.
And that’s when it hit me.
What we had witnessed that evening wasn’t simply an awards ceremony.
It was proof that perseverance, knowledge, generosity and collaboration really can change the course of an entire industry.
I thought of the people who are no longer behind the bar.
Those who chose different paths.
Those who continue working quietly, far away from the spotlight.
Because they are part of this story too.
No great bar scene is built by a single generation.
It is built by many.
Each passing the baton to the next.
Each taking the industry one step further.
That night—and throughout the following day—I felt something that’s difficult to describe.
It felt as though everyone knew I was Greek.
Not because of pride or ego.
But because I felt incredibly fortunate to belong, even in a very small way, to a community that had achieved something truly remarkable.
A community that never stopped evolving.
That chose collaboration over competition.
Sharing over secrecy.
Inspiration over imitation.
A community that continues to open doors for the generations that follow.
Rankings will change.
Positions will change.
Awards will change.
Some bars will rise.
Others will fall.
New names will emerge.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
Because that’s what healthy bar scenes do.
They evolve.
Constantly.
If there’s one thing I’ll remember from that evening, it won’t be who came first.
It will be the reminder that whenever passion, knowledge and genuine hospitality come together, everyone moves forward.
And Greece…
is no longer simply part of that story.
It has become one of the chapters helping to write it.
For those of us who have had the privilege of following this journey for more than twenty years, that may be the greatest reward of all.
Congratulations to every bar featured on this inaugural list.
To every team.
Every bartender.
Every owner.
Every host.
Every barback.
And to everyone who continues to raise the standard of European bartending through dedication, professionalism and an unwavering love for what they do.
Because that night in Amsterdam, Line didn’t win alone.
Neither did six Greek bars.
An entire generation of people who believed that Greece could one day become a reference point for European bartending finally saw that belief rewarded.
And they proved they were right.
