The World’s 50 Best Bars is an annual list that celebrates the best of the international drinks industry. First published in 2009, The World’s 50 Best Bars provides an annual ranking of bars as voted for by more than 500 drinks experts from across the globe. The list represents the ultimate international guide to the world’s top bars and drinking destinations. The World's 50 Best Bars is the drinks industry’s most prestigious and highly anticipated night of the year, bringing together the best bartending talent from around the globe, with a live countdown of the list, culminating in the announcement of The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier. The World’s 50 Best Bars is owned and organised by William Reed Business Media, the group behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. In 2017, William Reed Business Media took over from Drinks International, part of Agile Media, in the organisation of the awards and voting, with Drinks International taking the role of trade media partner. William Reed Business Media is solely responsible for organising the awards, collating the votes and producing the lists. In 2016, The World’s 50 Best Bars family was extended with the launch of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. The fifth edition of Asia's 50 Best Bars was announced on 14th May 2020.