On Saturday in New Orleans, the creme de la creme of the global cocktail community got dolled up in their Cuban best and recognized that London is the best city in the world when it comes to drinks. Taking home 6 out of 8 international categories, plus being the home of this years Lifetime Achievement Award winner, it’s safe to say: we got it going on.

BEST INTERNATIONAL COCKTAIL BAR: THE ARTESIAN

Year after year, The Artesian continues to show the world who’s boss when it comes to cocktails, racking up awards like candy. With artfully presented, mind blowing drinks, plus some of the best bartenders in town, this is so much more then just a hotel bar.

BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL BAR: THE BEAUFORT BAR AT THE SAVOY

With so many tourists coming to London every year, it’s a no brainer that we kick ass at hotel bars. So much so, in fact, that all of the top 4 nominees were from the Big Smoke. Want the best? Head to The Savoy where the dark and sultry Beaufort Bar, with the talented Chris Moore at the helm, will seduce you with a mind-blowing (and literally pop up) menu.

BEST INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT BAR: THE BLIND PIG AT SOCIAL EATING HOUSE

Hidden above Michelin-starred Social Eating House in Soho, this is an absolute must when in central. With a menu full of puns like the “Dill or No Dill,” and open from noon, they’ve got you covered for anything from work meetings to dates to just blissing out at the bar & watching them do their thang.

BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL COCKTAIL BAR: DANDELYAN

With last years winners, White Lyan, behind the drinks program at the Mondrian Hotel down on the Southbank, it comes as no surprise that this swank hotel bar took home an award. Settle in on one of their lush purple velvet banquets, gape at gorgeous views of St. Pauls & sip on their expertly designed drinks.

BEST INTERNATIONAL BARTENDER: RYAN CHETIYAWARDANA

Sure, no one can pronounce his name, but he hasn’t let that stop him from being one of the best minds in the biz. Kind, humble and positively genius when it comes to drinks, Mr. Lyan (as he’s frequently known) is almost a scientist, looking at drinks in a way completely beyond most of us.

BEST INTERNATIONAL BRAND AMBASSADOR: CLAIRE SMITH-WARNER

It sounds like the best job ever: traveling the world & partying with bartenders, getting them interested in a product, but its also a lot of work. Known as “The First Lady of Vodka,” Claire has brought a style & class to Belvedere that has completely elevated the entire category of vodka. She’s essentially upgraded the spirit from ‘something that you knock back in uni to get plastered’ to ‘something you specifically order to savor and enjoy.’ With a home base like London, she obviously has great taste and knows what’s up.

Whilst it’s apparent that London is the best (this time around), here’s a huge congrats to all winners around the world, including all the underdogs. Better yet, here’s a massive congrats to everyone who’s in it for the love of booze. We salute you all.

Full round-up at BarChick

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