London's Connaught Bar was named Best Bar in the UK at the Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026 ceremony, held at The Kromhouthal in Amsterdam on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. The award was sponsored by Monkey Shoulder, the Official Scotch Whisky Partner of The World's 50 Best Bars.
The recognition came as Monkey Shoulder marked the first year of a two-year global partnership with The World's 50 Best Bars, continuing its celebration of leading venues by honouring the best across Europe. The event brought together talent from countries including Greece, Italy, Sweden and Scotland, with Monkey Shoulder serving curated cocktails created by acclaimed bartenders from across the region.
Among the Monkey Shoulder serves associated with the Connaught Bar was RUBRA, made with Monkey Shoulder, geranium-infused hazelnut oil, homemade popped rice syrup, Sauternes, Amaro Santoni and cardamom bitters, delivering spice, subtly floral notes and a bittersweet finish.
A benchmark for destination drinking
A defining force in modern cocktail culture, Connaught Bar has set the standard for destination drinking. Designed by the late David Collins, the bar combines silver leaf walls, mirrored surfaces and Cubist-inspired detailing with the warmth and elegance of a grand London hotel bar. Led by Ago Perrone alongside Giorgio Bargiani, the venue further cemented its global reputation by ranking No. 10 overall in Europe's 50 Best Bars.
Cocktails across the programme
Throughout the Amsterdam celebrations, Monkey Shoulder served a curated cocktail line-up created by acclaimed bartenders Joop van Diest of Shakerato, Nick Vrielink of Fitz's Bar and Giulia Cuccurullo of The Artisian London. Serves included Joop's Matcha Yuzu, blending Monkey Shoulder, matcha, yuzu, vanilla and soda; Nick's BSB Old Fashioned, made with air-distilled Irish Dry Stout hydrolate, barley malt and toasted rye bread; and Giulia's Fig Leaves & Labdanum, combining Monkey Shoulder with labdanum, aloe and Three Cents Fig Leaves Soda.
The brand was also featured at the Bartenders' Feast with the Ginger Snap from Door 74, blending Monkey Shoulder, lemon and ginger sherbet and mint, and the Bitter Brunch at LuminAir's Closing Party, made with Monkey Shoulder, Rémy Martin VSOP, Mancino Vermouth Kopi and orange and thyme cordial.
Monkey Shoulder extended the celebrations across Amsterdam with two bar takeovers during the 50 Best Bars Europe programme. Rome-based bartenders Patrick Pistolesi and Federico Daniele of Drink Kong and Siria Nicoletti and Luca Broccoli of Jerry Thomas Speakeasy took over Tailor Bar in Hotel Krasnapolsky for a guest shift. That was followed by London-based bartenders Enrico Perri and Andrea Costa of 45 Park Lane, who took over Bar TwentySeven for an Old Fashioned-themed affair.
To continue the celebrations beyond the ceremony, Monkey Shoulder hosted an after-party at Nido Cocktail Bar. The dedicated menu featured My Daily Monkey, made with coffee-infused Monkey Shoulder Whisky and charred orange husk Pedro Ximénez, and Mon Sherry, blending Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky with Oloroso, Marsala, red apple and chestnut soda, alongside a selection of vinyl DJ sets.
"The World's 50 Best Bars partnership gives Monkey Shoulder a powerful platform to celebrate bar excellence and support the bartenders driving culture forward across the globe — the people and places that truly inspire our brand."
That comment came from Joe Petch, Global Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder. As the Official Scotch Whisky Partner of The World's 50 Best Bars, the brand said it remains committed to championing exceptional bartending talent across the globe.
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