Cue the queues. Sydney cocktail bar Maybe Sammy has been crowned the best bar in Australasia at last night’s The World’s Best Bars award ceremony in London.
The bar, located in The Rocks, clinched a number 43 ranking, and is the only Australian bar to crack the top 50 list.
It’s a coup for the Sydney bar which opened only nine months ago by co-owners Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardo and Andrea Gualdi (Catino and Lombardo also co-own the Maybe Frank pizzerias in Surry Hills and Randwick). It’s the first time Maybe Sammy has appeared on the international rankings, with the list citation ticking off the bar’s “inventive and delicious cocktail list”, “luxe surrounds” and “attention to detail”. The venue was also named one of Australia’s best bars in the Gourmet Traveller 2020 Restaurant Guide.
The aftermath of winning such an award sets high expectations for the waiting public, says Lombardo. But he says it’s gratifying the team is recognised for their hard work on an international scale. “Our bartenders, especially, are crucial. They treat their place like their own,” he says.
Catino and bartender Martin Hudak were in London to collect their award at last night’s ceremony, with Lombardo following the webcast from home. “I watched them live with my seven-week-old son on my chest,” he says. “He watches all of Juventus F.C.’s games with me, and they remain undefeated. And then we won best bar in Australia. He’s my good luck charm.”
Notably 2019 marks Australia’s return to the top-50 rankings, having not made the cut in 2018.
You’ll find more venues flying the Australian flag on the extended list of bars ranked 51-100: Sydney’s Bulletin Place jumped to 66th position after last year’s 75th ranking, while Baxter Inn was nudged down a peg from 78th to 79th. Melbourne’s Black Pearl, ranked 22 in 2017, came in at number 80, while Sydney bar and soda factory PS40 makes its list début at number 95.
The top-50 rankings were dominated by entries from London, which notched up 10 appearances including American Bar which crept up the list from 5th to 2nd position. This was closely followed by New York with six bars on the list including Dante Bar which took out the number one spot this year, leap-frogging from its previous 9th ranking.
It’s a timely release of the bar rankings as Sydney approaches its October long weekend. For thirsty drinkers unable to get their foot in the door at Maybe Sammy, take heed: Employees Only in New York (26) and Scout in London (28) both have outposts in Sydney.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 full list
Dante, New York City, USA
Connaught Bar, London, United Kingdom
Floreria Atlantico, Buenos Aires
The Nomad, New York City, USA
American Bar, London, United Kingdom
The Clumsies, Athens, Greece
Attaboy, New York City, USA
Atlas, Singapore
The Old Man, Hong Kong
Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico
Manhattan, Singapore
Native, Singapore
Carnaval, Lima, Peru,
Katana Kitten, New York City, USA
Guilhotina Bar, São Paulo, Brazil
Three Sheets, London, United Kingdom
Himkok, Oslo, Norway
High Five, Tokyo, Japan
Salmon Guru, Madrid, Spain
Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan
The Dead Rabbit, New York City, USA
Coupette, London, United Kingdom
The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Stravinsky, Barcelona, Spain
Employees Only, New York City, USA
El Copitas, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Scout, London, United Kingdom
Jigger & Pony, Singapore
Operation Dagger, Singapore
Baba Au Rum, Athens, Greece
La Factoria, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Presidente, Buenos Aires
Schumann’s, Munich, Germany
Speak Low, Shanghai, China
Little Red Door, Paris, France
Tjoget, Stockholm, Sweden
The Old Man, Singapore
Lyaness, London, United Kingdom
Happiness Forgets, London, United Kingdom
Swift, London, United Kingdom
Trick Dog, San Francisco, USA
Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia
1930, Milan, Spain
Sober Company, Shanghai, China
Electric Bing Sutt, Beirut
Kwant, London, United Kingdom
Artesian, London, United Kingdom
Coa, Hong Kong
Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Rome, Italy
