Caretaker’s Cottage in Melbourne has landed a spot in the top of the World’s 50 Best Bars List for 2023
The global cocktail scene has been celebrated as The World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2023 was unveiled in Singapore earlier this month.
This year’s awards marked the first time the ceremony took place in the Asia-Pacific region and amidst the accolades, Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage made a grand entrance, securing the 23rd spot in the prestigious ranking.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
Located on Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne, this marks Caretaker’s Cottage’s debut in the top 50, taking the 23rd position. This is a significant leap from its 60th position in the previous year.
Self-proclaimed as probably Victoria’s smallest pub, Caretaker’s Cottage embodies a refined sanctuary for cocktail enthusiasts. The ambiance, with its gentle lighting and natural timber accents, exudes an inviting and unpretentious sophistication. This sense of warmth and understated elegance extends to the hospitality itself. While the bartender-owners, including Rob Libecans, Ryan Noreiks, and Matt Stirling, boast impressive credentials from some of the world’s top bars, they let their craft speak for itself.
The venue’s name, Caretaker’s Cottage, offers a nod to its historical roots as the former residence of the Wesley Place church’s caretaker. When you step inside, you find yourself in close proximity to the bartenders who work their magic right before your eyes. The bar also doubles as a DJ booth, featuring a high-quality record player setup neatly embedded along one side, complemented by stacks of vinyl resting on the back bar beneath two rich and warm-sounding speakers.
Behind this bar, precision reigns, resulting in impeccable concoctions, whether you’re savouring Melbourne’s finest Guinness or perhaps Australia’s most refreshingly chilled Martini.
For those eager to experience this hidden gem, Caretaker’s Cottage awaits at 139-141 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne.
Alongside the Melbourne hot spot, a second Australian bar emerged a victor at the awards with Maybe Sammy in Sydney securing the 15th spot. Maybe Sammy has been part of this illustrious list five times, and it achieved its highest rank to date in 2023.
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The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 featured bars from 28 cities, with 11 new entries. Barcelona’s Sips took the top spot as The Best Bar in Europe and The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier, for the second consecutive year.
Sips, located in Barcelona’s L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample district, stands out with its innovative approach to mixology and its immersive atmosphere, blending cutting-edge technique with playful cocktails.
The list highlighted the diversity of the global bar industry, representing various regions and cities. London, with five bars on the list, retained its status as one of the world’s cocktail capitals, while Barcelona featured two entries in the top five.
With the inclusion of Maybe Sammy and Caretaker’s Cottage in the top 50, these must-visit bars are solidifying the country’s place on the global cocktail map. Explore more about Caretaker’s Cottage on their website, and follow their captivating journey on Instagram.
