Overview
If you thought there was some pretty good drinking to be found here in your own backyard, it turns out you were spot on. Sydney has proven it's delivering some world-class drinks skills, with new entrant Maybe Sammy nabbing a spot in this year's prestigious World's 50 Best Bars awards – the only Australian bar to do so.
And as if ranking at number 43 on the list wasn't enough, the cocktail bar also beat out plenty of contenders to be named the awards' Best Bar in Australasia. Not too shabby at all, considering co-owners Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardo and Andrea Gualdi only opened the bar in The Rocks at the start of this year. Catino said he is "blown away" by the ranking, saying a big thanks to the team for bringing their "clear vision" for the bar to life.
Referencing the glam hotel bars of the world, while pulling inspiration from the 50s Rat Pack's era, Maybe Sammy has made quite a splash in its first few months of life. Its luxurious styling nods to old-school Vegas glamour, all blush pink velvet banquettes and lush indoor greenery, while the list of theatrical signature drinks pays homage to the classics.
Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino at the awards.
This isn't Maybe Sammy's first time in the winner's circle, either — it also took out the title of Best New International Cocktail Bar at the revered Spirited Awards in the US earlier this year, and bartender Guali was the Australian bartender of the year in 2017 for his work at sister venue Maybe Frank.
And while Sydney might have trailed behind a certain southern city in this year's Global Liveability Index, you could argue it reigns supreme when it comes to drinkability. Melbourne scored just one spot in the World's 50 Best Bars' 51-100 list for 2019, with long-time contender Black Pearl clocking in at number 80. As well as claiming the country's only Top 50 position, Sydney had three other bars in the mix for the Top 100: PS40 ranking at 95th, The Baxter Inn placing 79th and long-running favourite Bulletin Place taking 66th spot. Just saying.
The best of them all, though, is New York's all-day restaurant-bar Dante's — it was named the World's Best Bar at the ceremony in London earlier this morning, jumping up from its 2018 position of 9th. The World's 50 Best Bars awards were this year judged by 510 expert voters across 58 countries.
If you're in Sydney, you can drop by Maybe Sammy for a celebratory drink — the bar does a $5 happy hour on mini martinis, negronis and irish coffees from 4.30–5.30pm.
You can check out the full lineup of the World's 50 Best Bars 2019 here, and see 51-100 here.