Spanish city is home to the 'best bar in the world' where queues can last for hours

Barcelona, is a hip and trendy destination, known for its array of incredible bars and restaurants. However, one bar beats them all, according to The World's 50 Best, dubbing it not only the "best bar in Europe", but the "best bar in the World". Sips Barcelona described itself as a "casual bar" which brings "the most evolved mixology to a social and fun atmosphere".

The bar won the title of "best bar in the world" in 2023, commended for being "an approachable early evening venue that easily transitions with the fading light into a dark and sultry hideaway". The average price of a cocktail here is €14 (approximately £12) with certain drinks skewing on the more expensive side.

"Here is a bar that knows the drinks must be serious but the way in which they are delivered doesn’t have to be at all," noted the judges from The World's 50 Best. They commended the Primordial cocktail, a blend of 12-year-old Scotch, Ruby Port and pera nashi served to visitors in a metal cast of two hands, rather than a glass.

The World's 50 Best added: "One of the many jewels in Barcelona’s crown as one of Europe’s top cocktail destinations is Sips, a bar where every drink is a masterclass in technique."

However, with its success comes a lot of popularity - and that can mean huge queues. Most visitors on Tripadvisor recommend booking in advance to avoid waiting outside. YouTube Robbie Knox visited the bar in June 2024, and was given an estimated two-hour waiting time in line.

Fellow YouTuber Bambino Becky, who joined him for the experience, said: "Controversial opinion the fact that this here is the best bar in the world, if you walked past it, you'd never know and perhaps that's its pull."

Robbie interjected: "You'd notice the big queue though." As the duo showed up without a pre-booking, they had to wait in a line of approximately 10 people and ended up standing in line for just over one hour before a table became available.

For many visitors, the wait in line is well worth it though. On Tripadvisor, the bar has a four out of a possible five-star rating and many visitors did note that they waited less than half an hour - even without a booking.

"We had an absolutely fantastic night at Sips," commented one reviewer. "We did have to [queue] for about 25 minutes, however, it was more than worth the wait. The staff we unbelievably friendly and really switched on around what cocktails went with what snacks.

"They explained the cocktails well and had fun around the bar in the middle. Really tasty cocktails, definitely deserving of its world number one bar award at spirited awards." [SIC]

However, with the good there does come the bad, with not every visitor agreeing the bar deserves to be titled "the best in the world".

Another visitor to the establishment said: "No hospitality at all. All drinks either too sweet or sour. Don't understand how this bar becomes the best bar." [SIC]

For those who want to experience Sips first-hand, you are best booking a table in advance or, if not, arriving early to beat the queues at peak times.