Buzz
Whether known as a local, tavern, inn, hostelry, saloon, 19th hole, watering hole, or bar, these public houses are captivating spaces, drawing individuals from all backgrounds to indulge in their spirited offerings, much like bees flocking to flowers. Pubs worldwide now cater to a diverse range of tastes and preferences, with imaginative owners crafting experiences for the most discerning connoisseurs—from whiskey-only spots to alcohol-free or gender-specific establishments. With some places boasting names as lengthy as the Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, to themed bars or secret hideaways, public houses offer far more than a simple drink at the bar.
Over the years, numerous pubs have earned a place in the Guinness World Records, whether for being the tiniest, hosting the longest temporary bars, or boasting the largest establishments—such as the Offshore Rooftop & Bar at Chicago's Navy Pier in Illinois, USA. But even without world records, these ten pubs showcase what it truly means to be exceptional.
10. Squeeze into a Cozy Space in the UK
Due to their diminutive size, some of the world’s tiniest bars rarely appear in anything more than a brief mention or a photograph. However, these tiny spots exist and offer as much charm as any small pub. Take, for example, the Signal Box Inn, a former signal box building in Scunthorpe, UK, which was relocated to Cleethorpe in 2006, where it has become a popular destination. Another miniature gem is the 1.8-meter-wide (5.9-foot) Mou Very in Dunedin, New Zealand, where six bar stools, a few bottles of spirits, and a sizable coffee roaster fit snugly inside. Similarly, Slim's Elbow Room in Cabo San Lucas serves an impressive selection of tequila to just four customers at a time—certainly not much room for anything else.
While many pubs lay claim to the title, the Blomberger Saustell in Blomberg, Germany, currently holds the Guinness World Records title for the smallest permanent licensed bar, measuring just 5.2 square meters (55.9 square feet). However, the beer served here is the regular size! "Prost" to that!
9. Reach New Heights in Nepal
The Irish Pub in Namche Bazaar, Nepal, sits at a staggering 3,440 meters (11,290 feet) above sea level, making it the world’s highest bar. Opened by two brothers in 2012, the pub became a gathering spot for Mount Everest climbers. Despite recovering from the 2015 earthquake, the bar faced challenges during the pandemic, as restrictions halted tourism and kept the mountain "closed" to visitors.
A new highway is expected to boost traffic and facilitate the transport of locals, tourists, and goods. But be warned—getting to this pub is no easy feat. To reach the village, visitors must first fly into what is often dubbed the world’s most dangerous airport, followed by a two-day hike, which is also the means by which supplies are delivered to the bar. Do your homework, come prepared, and read others' accounts before you attempt to grab a pint!
8. Dive to the Depths at the Dead Sea
Located just a 30-minute drive from Jerusalem (or an hour from Tel Aviv), the Kalia bar at Kalia Beach on the northern shore of the Dead Sea in Israel is the lowest bar on Earth, situated more than 300 meters (1,000 feet) below sea level. The Kalia settlement was founded in 1929 on Lido Beach, and after the original kibbutz (a collective community) was destroyed in 1984, it was rebuilt.
Named after the vast potassium deposits that led to the area's initial development, the Kalia Bar serves a wide variety of drinks, including their signature Dead Sea Margarita. The bar also offers traditional local dishes like falafel, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day of sunbathing, enjoying black mud skin treatments, and floating in the Dead Sea. L’chayim!
7. Eco-Pubbing, Icelandic Style
The Northern Lights Bar is a glass-enclosed space specifically designed for optimal viewing of the Northern Lights in Iceland. Its prime location not only makes it a sought-after spot to witness the famed Aurora Borealis, but it also resides in the former living quarters of a geothermal power plant. These quarters were transformed into a model of eco-sustainable architecture and recycling, earning the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel the 2014 World Boutique Hotel Award.
Conveniently located near Reykjavik for easy access, the hotel is a paradise for adventure seekers. It offers activities such as hiking up volcanoes, horseback riding across black sand beaches, snowmobiling on glaciers, diving, fly fishing, and river rafting in glacial rivers and waterfalls. The menu focuses on 'slow food' made with fresh local ingredients, while the bar serves beers, liqueurs, and spirits from Iceland’s microbreweries.
6. No Shaken or Stirred in Sweden
While ice bars can be found in cold regions around the world—and even on Norwegian cruise ships and in warm climates like the UAE—visiting the Ice Bar at the IceHotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, takes it a step further. The IceHotel was the first of its kind when it opened in 1989 and is still operational today. It was built during the winter when the waters of the Torne River freeze, making this hotel a must-see destination.
True to its name, IceHotel’s bar is simply called the Ice Bar. Like other ice bars across the globe, it serves drinks in unique ice-carved glasses. Guests sit on ice furniture or stand on ice floors while admiring intricate ice art sculptures. For those who’ve had one too many, the option to sleep on an ice bed awaits. A visit to the Ice Bar is just the beginning, as the surrounding area offers many other exciting ice-filled activities. Skål to that!
5. A Very Remote Drink on Tristan da Cunha
The Albatross Bar on Tristan da Cunha Island is one of the most isolated bars in the world. Located 2,810 kilometers (1,750 miles) from Cape Town, this island is not a tourist hotspot, and there’s no airport to land at. To get there, travelers must find a boat and get police clearance. Only once approval is granted by both the South African government and local authorities on the island can the journey begin. The trip is long, and the stay can be even longer, but those lucky enough to visit agree it’s well worth the effort for a cold drink in this remote pub.
The bar offers South African beers, wines, and Scottish whiskies, among other beverages. While it may not be the most luxurious bar in terms of atmosphere, the locals are incredibly friendly and always happy to share insights into their isolated lifestyle, likely because new faces are a rare sight in this far-flung corner of the world.
4. Beneath the Maldivian Sea
The Subsix Bar in Niyama, Maldives, which opened in 2012, has seen various updates and improvements over the years. However, one thing that remains as breathtaking as ever is its underwater setting, which continues to provide a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.
The Niyama Subsix Bar was originally launched as the world’s first underwater nightclub. Located 6 meters (20 feet) below the surface of the Indian Ocean, Subsix can be reached only by boat, situated 500 meters (0.3 miles) from Niyama Island. With an ocean-inspired design, the bar features amazing décor that reflects its surroundings. It offers a variety of events, including lunch services, parties, special occasions, and even aquatic activities led by marine biologists.
3. A Speakeasy in LA – If You Can Get In!
Speakeasies, or secret bars, captivate the imagination like no other. These bars originated during times when alcohol was illegal, and they operated in secrecy. Guests had to 'speak easy' to avoid detection. In recent years, the speakeasy concept has made a comeback, with hidden bars cropping up in cities across the globe.
One such hidden gem is The Blue Room, an exclusive speakeasy located behind a secret bookcase door on the 3rd floor of the Los Angeles Athletic Club. With a long-standing history, this hidden bar is highly sought-after, but entry is strictly limited to the club’s original 20 members of ‘The Lofty and Exalted Order of Uplifters,’ or those vouched for by one of their descendants.
The Blue Room was established in 1912, following the opening of the club, to offer a place for members to socialize and network. Its first members were legendary figures like Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Will Rogers, and L. Frank Baum, who even named the group. Though the club moved locations in 1920, the Blue Room was revived in its original space in 2015.
For those of us not in the exclusive circle, our best shot at experiencing the Blue Room was simply being 'in the know.' However, the relaunch in 2015 changed the game. Now, the LA Athletic Club invites patrons to visit the Blue Room on Friday nights. The updated menu features ten whiskey-based cocktails and showcases over 50 types of whiskey in the custom-designed bar.
2. A Pint in the Oldest Bar in the World—Maybe
Back in AD 900, Luain Mac Luighdeach, the son of Lewy, established an inn near Áth Mor—today known as Athlone, Ireland. The bar at this inn, now called Sean’s Bar, is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest bar in Ireland. While research continues to determine whether it is the oldest bar in the world, the findings so far are promising. In 1970, renovations revealed that the bar’s walls were made of wattle and wicker, dating back to the 9th century. Several old coins minted by local landlords were also found. Some of these artifacts are displayed in the National Museum, and others are shown in the pub.
Sean’s Bar offers guided tours that educate visitors on the history of whiskey—originally coined by King Henry II’s army after sampling the local uisce beatha, meaning 'water of life.' Research indicates that distillation began in the small monasteries around Athlone in the 6th century. So, add this to your bucket list—enjoy a whiskey and say 'sláinte is táinte' (slawn-che iss toin-che), which means 'health and wealth' in the oldest pub in Ireland (and probably the world).
1. Getting Drunk in a Tree Trunk in South Africa
One of the most remarkable bars in the world once operated inside an ancient Baobab tree on a farm in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Sunland Pub began welcoming visitors in 1993, housed within the massive trunk of this upside-down tree, as locals refer to it. Standing over 22 meters (72 feet) tall and with a circumference of 47 meters (155 feet), the tree features a 4-meter-high (13-foot) ceiling. The bar was spacious enough to host up to fifteen guests at once. While the tree's age is debated—some believe it's over 6000 years old, even older than the Giza pyramids—it's generally agreed that it could be over a thousand years old, making it one of the oldest and largest living trees on the planet.
Baobab trees are found across the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa and are renowned for their enormous size. Unfortunately, many of these majestic trees are collapsing, including the Sunland Pub’s Baobab, which fell in 2016. As a result, the bar has been permanently closed to the public, with the property now under a new leasing agreement.
