# European Bar Guide 2026 rankings

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-bar-guide-2026-rankings
> Updated: 2026-09-02T17:02:29.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

The European Bar Guide released its annual ranking of the 100 best bars in Europe for 2026. The selection process focuses on atmosphere, local culture, social scene, and drink quality rather than luxury.

Budapest’s Szimpla Kert, a ruin bar located in a former factory, was named the best bar in Europe. The venue is noted for its eclectic, labyrinthine interior featuring disco balls, mismatched furniture, and repurposed objects. 

The top five rankings include Retsins Lucifernum in Bruges, Belgium, in second place, followed by La Fleur en Papier Doré and Goupil Le Fol in Brussels, Belgium, in third and fourth places. Sarajevo’s Zlatna Ribica secured the fifth position.

The top ten list is completed by Papa Joe’s Jazz Lokal in Cologne, t’Brugse Beertje in Bruges, Bar Marsella in Barcelona, U Hrocha in Prague, and Le Pot au Lait in Liège. Additionally, Hungarian venues Calgary Antik Drinkbar and Kaleidoszkóp Ház were included within the top 100.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Zlatna Ribica ranks among Europe’s top five bars

Sarajevo’s Zlatna Ribica ranked fifth in the European Bar Guide’s annual list of the 100 best bars in Europe, led by Budapest’s Szimpla Kert.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zlatna-ribica-ranks-among-europes-top-five-bars

### 2026-09-02: Szimpla Kert in Budapest named best bar in Europe

The European Bar Guide has named Budapest’s Szimpla Kert the best bar in Europe, followed by Retsins Lucifernum in Bruges and La Fleur en Papier Doré in Brussels.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/szimpla-kert-named-best-bar-in-europe-for-2026

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Cite as: European Bar Guide 2026 rankings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-bar-guide-2026-rankings