7 of the Worlds Most Beautiful Cocktail Bars

Step into the cocktail bar at Casa Monti and you immediately feel the vibrant, bohemian pulse of Rome. Interior designer Laura Gonzalez has crafted a brilliant clash of colors and tactile materials that demands your attention. Grab a seat at the striking dark wood counter, beautifully offset by a bold, black-and-white checkerboard floor. Warm, ambient lighting spills across sumptuous upholstered sofas, creating a room that feels both intimate and intensely alive. As the bartender shakes up a mezcal and yellow bell pepper drink, the clinking of ice joins the hum of relaxed conversation. It is a wildly eclectic space where locals mingle freely, surrounded by bold patterns and classical Roman charm.

Slip past a nondescript kebab shop near Boxpark and find the unmarked door leading down to Lounge Bohemia. This subterranean Shoreditch spot trades the usual speakeasy tropes for a brilliant trip back to 1960s communist Prague. Descend the shadowy staircases and step into a room packed with covetable, mid-century retro furniture that feels exactly like an impeccably curated design studio. Sink into a low-slung vintage armchair as bartenders craft playfully inventive cocktails. The atmosphere is undeniably cool yet totally unpretentious, buzzing with hushed conversations and the clinking of delicate glassware. It is a captivating, hidden room where tactile velvet seating and striking retro lamps invite you to linger for hours over expertly mixed drinks.

Tucked inside a former factory in Amsterdam Westerpark, Cantine de Caron masterfully balances industrial grit with warm elegance. The soaring high ceilings and raw exposed brick walls of this spacious hangar provide a striking backdrop for long, lively evenings. OST interior crafted a brilliant mix of textures, pairing sleek Scandinavian chairs with the crisp touch of starched white tablecloths. Bold red draperies sweep across the room, softening the minimalist edges and adding a rich theatrical glow. Settle at one of the large canteen style bench tables with a glass of wine and watch the chefs at work in the bustling open kitchen. It is a magnificently atmospheric space designed for gathering and losing track of time.

Tracking down Salon Salon inside the Maison Métier hotel feels like uncovering a brilliant collision of a Parisian parlor and a moody Southern hideaway. Studio Shamshiri has built an unapologetically maximalist room bursting with warm, bold colors. Heavy shelves are stacked with eclectic books and eccentric curiosities, bringing a touch of enigmatic charm to your evening. Find a spot among the richly textured seating to order a beautifully mixed cocktail or a glass of natural wine. The atmosphere perfectly balances a quiet, rebellious energy with an easy, inviting elegance. It is a highly personal, character-filled space designed for sharing French-inflected plates and letting a quick drink stretch into a long, leisurely night.