
Raising the Bar
From atmospheric speakeasies to grand hotels, a global guide to quaffing hotspots.
Technically every bar worthy of the designation is some kind of whisky bar. A bar without whisky isn’t really a bar. A dusty old bottle of a big-volume blend and a chipped glass to drink it from just about qualifies, but what about those places that really celebrate the greatest of all distillates. The boltholes and hideaways that put whisky on the pedestal it deserves. The big-city superstars and the small-town gems. Robb Report’s network of thirsty travellers have been tapped to produce a list that combines the classics with the insider secrets, a collection of oases for whisky lovers worldwide.
Whisky & Alement, Melbourne
A flickering flame drawing malt moths from all over the world, it’s an establishment that presents an exquisite line-up, with bar staff who make you smarter with each pour. Whisky & Alement
McRae Bar, Sydney
Offers a brilliant array of whiskies in one of Australia’s finest hotels. What more could you want? McRae Bar

Ralph Louis Frederick, Adelaide
Private oasis attached to the legendary Hains & Co bar. Accessed through membership referral. Track down an affiliate and beg. Ralph Louis Frederick

Milroy’s of Soho, London
A British institution in every sense. Savour a deep, diverse selection, delivered with old-school charm. Private lockers available for the super serious. Milroy’s

SCOTCH at The Balmoral, Edinburgh
A collection that’s deeper than Loch Ness, in a stately hotel typifying Edinburgh’s charm. Scotch
Quaich Bar, Singapore
Fastidious curation and precise service have made this a prime Asian destination for whisky devotees around the globe. Quaich Bar
Zoetrope, Tokyo
Silent films projected on the wall, soundtracks humming through the speakers. A technicolour cast of the world’s finest malts. An epic story told wonderfully well. Zoetrope

Lidkoeb, Copenhagen
Whisky burns brighter in Scandinavia than almost anywhere else, so we shouldn’t be surprised to find a carefully considered and uber-precise bar in this great gastronomic city. Lidkoeb

The Pot Still, Glasgow
At first, it appears to be a lovely old pub. But start to peruse the hundreds and hundreds of examples on offer and the gems start to shine. The Pot Still
Down & Out, New York
This place has a special license, allowing it to serve ancient and obscure bottles sourced from private hoards and estate sales. Expect the unexpected. Down & Out
Jack Rose Dining Saloon, Washington DC
A collection worthy of the Library of Congress. Especially strong on bourbon and the emerging superstars of the American single malt scene. Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Delilah’s, Chicago
A dive bar with smarts and a punk sensibility. Bourbon with a Bad Brains soundtrack? You bet. Iggy and Islay? Go your hardest. Delilah’s

Multnomah Whiskey Library, Portland
With more whisky drinkers per capita than any other American city—or that’s how it feels, anyway—it’s no surprise that this bar geeks out as hard as it does. Multnomah
The Shelbourne, Dublin
The best collection of Irish whiskey in the world. To be sure. The Shelbourne

Bar Cordon Noir, Kyoto
An encyclopaedic assortment of global tipples, with an obvious focus on Japan, most paired with a carefully matched cigar. Bar Cordon Noir
Bertie’s Bar, Braemar
Tucked away in a small Scottish town, its expansive stockpile is matched to the drinker after a chat about music, movies and life. Love Goodfellas? Then they’ll know what to pour you. Bertie’s Bar
Maybe Sammy, Sydney
If you’re a purist who believes malt shouldn’t be “tainted” by other liquids, fine. But if not, the whisky cocktails at this hotel bar are intriguing. Maybe Sammy

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Recommended for you
6 Incredible Red Wines From New Zealand to Drink Now
The country may be famous for Sauvignon Blanc, but it also produces great reds.
By Mike Desimone And Jeff Jenssen
May 7, 2026
A New Chapter at Spicers—And a Restaurant Worth the Drive
At Spicers Vineyards Estate, a renewed Restaurant Botanica shifts the focus from the room to the table—and rewards the drive.
April 15, 2026





















Courtesy of Patricks



