Home PARTNER STORIES PARTNER FEATURES Bratislava’s Mirror Bar ranked among the world’s 50 best bars

Bratislava’s Mirror Bar ranked among the world’s 50 best bars

The iconic bar has been ranked 25th globally in 2025

Oct 27, 2025

bratislava_mirror_bar — Photo: Mirror Bar Bratislava

Slovakia has joined an elite group of destinations thanks to its iconic Mirror Bar, which has ranked among the global elite for the first time in history. Tucked away in the iconic Carlton Hotel, the Mirror Bar has been included in the prestigious international ranking The World’s 50 Best Bars for 2025, which annually recognises the best bars on the planet. Slovakia ranked 25th out of 50 in the ranking and also found itself on the podium as the highest-ranked newcomer in the list, as the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award.

The results were announced during a gala evening in Hong Kong. The unprecedented success of the Slovak bar confirms that when talent, courage, vision, and team passion come together, even a small country can easily compete with the world’s largest metropolises and provide world-class services.

The World’s 50 Best Bars ranking is compiled annually by more than 800 mixologists from around the world. Voting is anonymous and reflects the personal experiences of experts in bar culture across continents. The aim is to appreciate not only exceptional drinks, but also the atmosphere, service, creativity, and overall experience that a given bar offers. To put that in perspective, getting a place in this ranking is comparable to being awarded three Michelin stars for restaurants.

bratislava_mirror_ba — Photo: Mirror Bar Bratislava

The only bar from Central Europe on the distinguished list

The success of Mirror Bar is of extraordinary significance for Slovakia, and specifically for the domestic bar and gastro scene. It is the first Slovak bar to be ranked in the top 50 best bars in the world, and at the same time, the only one from Central Europe to appear in the ranking this year. “This is a historic moment for Slovak bar culture. This success is not just about one team, but about a whole generation of bartenders who prove that even in a small country, world-class quality can be created,” commented Róbert Tóth, director of the Radisson Blu Carlton hotel, home to the unique Mirror Bar.

The team that has put Slovakia on the world bar map

Behind the success of Mirror Bar is the team led by bar manager Peter Marcin and global ambassador Stanislav Harciník, who have been shaping the philosophy of the bar for more than 6 years. Their approach combines precise technique, work with local ingredients, and experiential service, all in the iconic space of the hotel, which has been the heart of Bratislava’s social scene for over a century.

“Our goal has never been just to make cocktails, but to create emotion. Every drink at Mirror Bar has its own story; sometimes about Slovakia, sometimes about the travels that inspire us. The fact that this approach has been appreciated by experts from all over the world is a huge satisfaction for us,” added Peter Marcina.

“The atmosphere was incredible – standing on the same stage with bars that we have admired for many years is an experience that cannot be described,” said Stanislav Harciník.

The immense impact on Slovak tourism

According to Marek Harbuľák, president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Slovakia (AHRS), this award has a broader significance for the entire tourism sector. The bar attracts many foreign visitors thanks to the high quality of its services; it is often one of the reasons why tourists head to Bratislava, and at the same time, it is recognisable abroad, thus serving as a business card of Slovakia.

“The successes achieved by Mirror Bar are still rarely seen in countries like Slovakia. It is proof that even in a small country with great talent, a product can be created that can withstand global competition. Such recognition is of great benefit not only to the bar itself, but also to attracting foreign visitors and building a positive image of Slovak gastronomy,” Harbuľák concluded.

The World’s 50 Best Bars ranking was created in 2009 and has become a global benchmark for quality and innovation in the bar world for more than a decade. It is compiled each year by an independent academy of experts from more than 25 regions, who vote based on their personal experiences of visiting individual establishments over the past 18 months.

“The aim of the project is not only to celebrate excellence but also to support the development of bar culture, education, and the exchange of inspirations between countries. We believe that this success will inspire other Slovak bartenders and entrepreneurs to have the courage to create great things with a local character,” concluded Juraj Kostický, CEO of Carlton Savoy.

Find out more about Mirror Bar here.