Travel Guide
Most gorgeous cocktail bars around the world
It's 5 o'clock somewhere… We're counting down our favorite cocktail spots to kick back in style. Whether you're retro glam or all about the rooftop view, we've got a place for you—and recs on what to wear, of course.
Annabel's, London
Founded in 1963, this one has long been a destination for the BP—that's Beautiful People, in fashion parlance. Founded by Mark Birley—uncle to Yves Saint Laurent's right-hand woman, Loulou de la Falaise, and a bold-faced name on his own, Annabel's was on fire from its start. Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Vidal Sassoon all frequented the nightclub in its heyday. And the heat hasn't stopped since changing hands in 2007; Annabel's 2.0, which features absolutely stunning interiors, was a go-to place for London Fashion Week's night crawlers last month.
Founded in 1963, this one has long been a destination for the BP—that's Beautiful People, in fashion parlance. Founded by Mark Birley—uncle to Yves Saint Laurent's right-hand woman, Loulou de la Falaise, and a bold-faced name on his own, Annabel's was on fire from its start. Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Vidal Sassoon all frequented the nightclub in its heyday. And the heat hasn't stopped since changing hands in 2007; Annabel's 2.0, which features absolutely stunning interiors, was a go-to place for London Fashion Week's night crawlers last month.
What to Wear for a Late-Night Boogie
The Living Room, Miami Beach
Animal print upholstery? Ceramic felines? Palm prints galore? Check, check and check. It's not hard to see why The Living Room at Miami's Faena Hotel makes our list. Live music is constantly on rotation—jazz, Latin funk, flamenco and special "vinyl nights"—and the bespoke cocktails are absolutely divine. But a big part of the appeal is the destination: Faena Hotel is host to a number of hot spots, all gorgeously designed experiences. So after a drink at The Living Room, you can hop on over to the award-winning Pao restaurant or the speakeasy-like Saxony Bar or to the Faena theater for a cabaret show or to Tree of Life, the outdoor bar with ocean views or…
Animal print upholstery? Ceramic felines? Palm prints galore? Check, check and check. It's not hard to see why The Living Room at Miami's Faena Hotel makes our list. Live music is constantly on rotation—jazz, Latin funk, flamenco and special "vinyl nights"—and the bespoke cocktails are absolutely divine. But a big part of the appeal is the destination: Faena Hotel is host to a number of hot spots, all gorgeously designed experiences. So after a drink at The Living Room, you can hop on over to the award-winning Pao restaurant or the speakeasy-like Saxony Bar or to the Faena theater for a cabaret show or to Tree of Life, the outdoor bar with ocean views or…
What to Wear for a South Beach Night
Les Ambassadeurs, Paris
Located at the iconic Hôtel de Crillon at the Place de la Concorde, Les Ambassadeurs is Old World glamour at its best. Decorated in classic rococo style, the bar—which was revamped in 2017—features furnishings by another Paris institution, designer Sonia Rykiel. Go for the bubbly here; it's famous for a robust and diverse champagne menu with over 100 different varieties, from local producers to the big-name bottles.
Located at the iconic Hôtel de Crillon at the Place de la Concorde, Les Ambassadeurs is Old World glamour at its best. Decorated in classic rococo style, the bar—which was revamped in 2017—features furnishings by another Paris institution, designer Sonia Rykiel. Go for the bubbly here; it's famous for a robust and diverse champagne menu with over 100 different varieties, from local producers to the big-name bottles.
What to Wear for Old World Glamour
Candy Bar, Detroit
Millennial Pink lovers, this is for you. Located in Downtown Detroit, at the Siren Hotel, this year-old hot cocktail spot features a giant dazzling disco ball, an Old Hollywood vibe and all-pink furnishings done in a particular rosy hue called Jayne Mansfield Pink. For millennials who don't know the name, that's the actress mother of Law & Order: SVU's Marisha Hargitay. And if that still draws a blank: Taylor Swift's cat Olivia Benson is named after Hargitay's L&O character.
Millennial Pink lovers, this is for you. Located in Downtown Detroit, at the Siren Hotel, this year-old hot cocktail spot features a giant dazzling disco ball, an Old Hollywood vibe and all-pink furnishings done in a particular rosy hue called Jayne Mansfield Pink. For millennials who don't know the name, that's the actress mother of Law & Order: SVU's Marisha Hargitay. And if that still draws a blank: Taylor Swift's cat Olivia Benson is named after Hargitay's L&O character.
What to Wear for La Vie En Rose
Ophelia, New York
Ophelia is another classic that's gotten a recent facelift. This is the rooftop bar of the famed Beekman Tower, a Manhattan Art Deco landmark that dates back to the Twenties. The building was a former women's-only hotel; the rooftop, the Top of the Tower restaurant frequented by Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis, among others. Ophelia sticks to that Twenties vibe—complete with a stunning 360-degree view of the city. When the weather allows, head to the open-air terraces on both the north and south sides.
Ophelia is another classic that's gotten a recent facelift. This is the rooftop bar of the famed Beekman Tower, a Manhattan Art Deco landmark that dates back to the Twenties. The building was a former women's-only hotel; the rooftop, the Top of the Tower restaurant frequented by Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis, among others. Ophelia sticks to that Twenties vibe—complete with a stunning 360-degree view of the city. When the weather allows, head to the open-air terraces on both the north and south sides.
What to Wear for Rooftops with a View
Atlas Bar, Singapore
"Atlas Bar Is One of the World's Greatest Places" proclaimed Time magazine in 2018 of this gin bar located in Singapore's Parkview Square. With soaring ceilings and a mood straight out of The Great Gatsby, this is a mecca for those who love a dose of grandeur with their libations. And while you can imbibe on all sorts of great drinks, gin is the focus here: Atlas features about 1,000 varieties of the spirit.
"Atlas Bar Is One of the World's Greatest Places" proclaimed Time magazine in 2018 of this gin bar located in Singapore's Parkview Square. With soaring ceilings and a mood straight out of The Great Gatsby, this is a mecca for those who love a dose of grandeur with their libations. And while you can imbibe on all sorts of great drinks, gin is the focus here: Atlas features about 1,000 varieties of the spirit.
