Two Australian venues have been named among the world’s best bars at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Melbourne’s ‘smallest pub’ Caretaker’s Cottage and Sydney’s Maybe Sammy were the only two Aussie venues to rank in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list. These bars came in at number 19 and number 42 respectively.

Taking out the coveted first place position on this year’s list was Hong Kong’s Bar Leone. This also marked the first time an Asian bar has placed at the top of the list.

Both of the Aussie bars to appear in this year’s top 50 have previously made an appearance on the prestigious list.

2025 marks the fourth time that Caretaker’s Cottage has been within the top 50, with the venue even rising two places after being placed at 21 on last year’s list.

And it’s no surprise the bar – dubbed ‘probably Victoria’s smallest pub’ – has earned a near perfect rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with nearly 700 glowing reviews.

‘I think this was the best service I’ve ever had. From the very beginning my partner and we felt we were welcomed into someone’s home. The staff were so attentive, genuinely invested in your experience and so kind. They even brought out a couple of champagnes on the house for my boyfriend’s birthday. Everything was so intentional and top end – 10/10 loved,’ one customer raved.

‘Caretaker’s Cottage is one of those hidden gems that absolutely lives up to the hype. We waited about 10 minutes in line for a seat inside, but it was well worth it. The space is warm, intimate, and full of character – like stepping into a cozy, dimly lit home with great music and even better drinks,’ another shared.

It’s the seventh year in a row that Sydney bar Maybe Sammy has made the cut, although they slid down from last year’s 26th ranking.

The World’s 50 Best Bars list has been running since 2009, with winners announced annually. The 2025 top 50 list was announced in Hong Kong on October 8 – you can see the full list below.

Regarded as an international guide to the best bars and drinking destinations globally, the list is curated from the votes of The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, which includes expert bartenders, consultants, specialists and drinks writers.

The final list is compiled from the votes of more than 800 experts worldwide.

Maybe Sammy co-founder Stefano Catino was elated that their venue continued to be regarded as ‘one of the best bars’ in the world.

He told Concrete Playground: ‘For seven years we’ve proudly put Sydney on the global cocktail map, and that consistency means everything to us. Australia is one of the best food and drink destinations in the world, and we’re honoured to be part of it.’

The Las Vegas-themed Sydney cocktail bar is located in The Rocks precinct. It takes its name from iconic American musician Sammy Davis and the decor is inspired by 1950s old Hollywood glamour with velvet furnishings, tropical wallpaper and a forest green bar front.

The highlight is of course its stellar drinks menu, which includes their Mini Classic Cocktails, which are exceptionally well priced at just $8 during Happy Hour from 4.30pm-5.30pm daily.

The bar also serves up a simple menu of snacks designed to accompany drinks, including oysters with mignonette, olives, mixed nuts and several varieties of tartare.

Maybe Sammy is located at 111 Harrington Street in The Rocks, open 4.30pm to 1am Wednesday to Saturday.

Caretaker’s Cottage is a multi-award-winning Melbourne bar tucked away in Wesley Place precinct in a historic bluestone building.

In addition to this year’s 19th place ranking on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list, it also took out the Best Bar in Australasia award for 2025.

According to the World’s 50 Best Bars Listing, the petite-sized bar is poetically described as follows: ‘Beneath the skyscrapers in the middle of the Melbourne CBD, there’s a small, humble-looking place that was once the residence of the caretaker of the church next door.

‘It’s here you’ll find a small team taking care of the thirsty, the tired and those in need of a good time…the real feat they’ve achieved in a small place is ensuring that – despite being Melbourne’s busiest cocktail bar – every guest feels like they’ve found a place of their own.’

Caretaker’s Cottage is regularly regarded as serving up the best martinis in Melbourne – and is also renowned for its exciting and ever-changing drinks specials.

The small bar is also often praised for its inviting ambience. This is entirely intentional according to co-owner Rob Libecans, who previously told Boothby.

The bar was designed to make patrons ‘feel comfortable because it does feel like you’re in someone’s house. It doesn’t feel like a bar’.

The bar is located on 139-141 Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne, behind Wesley Church and opens Monday through to Saturday from 4pm to 1am.