10 Iconic Cocktails from World -Famous Bars

Some cocktails are just cocktails - others are legends. Behind every great drink, there's often a bar that turned it into an icon. Whether it’s a historic speakeasy, a glitzy hotel lounge, or a Tokyo gem known for its precision pours, these world-class spots helped shape cocktail culture as we know it.

Ready for a global bar crawl (without leaving your couch)? Here are 10 cocktails tied to the bars that made them famous - and what makes each one worth the trip.

1. Harry’s Bar - Venice, Italy

Cocktail: Bellini This elegant and timeless Italian cocktail is a blend of white peach purée and prosecco, the perfect summer brunch companion. The Bellini was invented in the 1940s, served to everyone from Hemingway to royalty, and remains a staple of Italian cocktail culture.   Design vibe: Elegant, old-world glamour with a touch of seaside casual.

2. Bar Hemingway - Paris, France

Cocktail: Dry Martini Named for Ernest Hemingway, this intimate spot inside the Ritz Paris takes its martinis seriously-icy cold, properly portioned, and perfectly dry. Design vibe: Rich leathers, soft lamps, and masculine luxury straight from a noir film.

3. American Bar at The Savoy - London, UK

Cocktail: Hanky Panky Invented by bartender Ada Coleman in the early 1900s, this gin-vermouth-Fernet classic is still served with pride at one of the oldest cocktail bars in Europe. Design vibe: Black-and-white tile, mirrored surfaces, and sophisticated Art Deco glam.

4. Death & Co - New York City, USA

Cocktail: Oaxaca Old Fashioned A mix of mezcal, tequila, agave, and bitters, this smoky riff on a classic helped kick off the modern mezcal craze. Death & Co is a cornerstone of NYC's craft cocktail movement. Design vibe: Dark, moody, candlelit, with intimate booths and expert bartenders.

5. PDT (Please Don’t Tell) - NYC, USA

Cocktail: Benton’s Old Fashioned This bacon fat–washed bourbon drink is both weird and wonderful. You enter PDT through a phone booth inside a hot dog shop, but what’s inside is a speakeasy done right. Design vibe: Cozy, velvet-draped, with a “hidden in plain sight” feel.

6. El Floridita - Havana, Cuba

Cocktail: Daiquiri This iconic Cuban bar is the birthplace of the modern daiquiri. It’s also where Hemingway claimed he could down a dozen in one sitting (we don’t recommend trying that).

Design vibe: Bright, vintage Havana charm with red leather bar stools and faded glamour.

7. High Five - Tokyo, Japan

Cocktail: Japanese Old Fashioned Here, the cocktail is about the ritual. Every drink is customized, precisely stirred, and served with laser-like focus. Order the Japanese-style Old Fashioned for a lesson in elegance. Design vibe: Understated, wood-heavy, minimal, and focused entirely on the craft.

8. The Connaught Bar - London, UK

Cocktail: Table-Side Martini They roll a martini cart right to your seat and craft your perfect drink on the spot. The Connaught is a temple to hospitality, with some of the most elegant martinis in the world. Design vibe: Mirrored walls, neutral tones, and upscale Art Deco done to perfection.

9. La Factoría - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Cocktail: Lavender Mule This multi-room cocktail bar blends serious mixology with a party atmosphere. The Lavender Mule vodka, ginger beer, lime, and lavender syrup is refreshing, floral, and deceptively strong. Design vibe: Colonial architecture meets urban cool, with salsa dancing in the back rooms.

10. The Tower Bar - Los Angeles, CA

Cocktail: Classic Martini (or Tower Bar Negroni) Perched inside the Sunset Tower Hotel, The Tower Bar is a favorite of Hollywood insiders. It’s all about quiet luxury here - the kind of place where ordering a martini feels like a scene from a movie. Design vibe: Art Deco elegance, warm gold tones, low light, and a view of the city.

Final Sip:

You don’t need a boarding pass to channel the energy of these legendary bars. Whether it’s the glassware, the lighting, or the way a drink makes you feel, there’s a piece of each of these icons you can bring home. Start with a well-mixed Negroni, dim the lights, and let your living room become the next stop on your own cocktail tour.

Prefer something without the booze? Check out our 5 Mocktails That Actually Taste Great - no alcohol, all chill.