Beautiful Speakeasies & Cocktail Bars Around the World

Librería Valladolid looks like a bookshop and works as a cocktail bar. Behind the door at Tabasco 321 in Roma Norte, amber-lit shelves of old books climb floor to ceiling around marble-topped tables, deep red banquettes and a long marble bar, in a room that takes its cues from the old bookshops of Europe. The drinks stick to the classics, from martinis and Negronis to the Batanga, with a menu that tells the story behind each one, and the food comes in tins: sardines, octopus and other conservas from Spain and Portugal. A running series of guest nights, numbered like volumes and called Tomos, brings in bartenders from across Mexico and abroad. The house advice: if the light is on, knock.

Abu Dhabi's nightlife just found its most soulful new address. Saikindō, recently opened inside the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, is a modern homage to Japan's izakaya spirit, an immersive Hi-Fi bar and yakitori grill where signature skewers, crafted cocktails, and curated vinyl come together in perfect synergy. Inspired by the listening bars of Japan, the space is built around a dialogue between sound, spirit, and the philosophy of Omotenashi, the Japanese art of wholehearted hospitality, where guests are welcomed with complimentary snacks and guided by bartenders who anticipate every need. An intimate robata room sits beside the main bar with counter seats facing the grill, while speakers built directly into the interiors carry a warm, clear sound evenly through every room.

140 meters above Paris, one rooftop has quietly stolen the city's best view. Windo Skybar sits on the 34th floor of the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, offering one of the most expansive panoramas in the capital, stretching from the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe to the Louis Vuitton Foundation. The covered rooftop, reimagined by architect George Wong, pairs creative cocktails and seasonal tapas with a refined, lounge-like atmosphere that comes alive after 5pm. For a slower take on the view, the Sunday Champagne Sky Brunch with free-flowing pours has quietly become one of the city's best-kept indulgences.

Stepping into Apotheke on Doyers Street is like entering a secret world where the glamour of Old World apothecaries comes alive through lush velvet, glowing marble, and a heady aroma of botanicals. The bar’s legendary mixologists craft inventive cocktails categorized by mood—think “Stimulants,” “Aphrodisiacs,” and “Stress Relievers”—each infused with house-made tinctures, rare herbs, and exotic fruits, transforming every sip into a sensory journey. The atmosphere is intimate and mysterious, with vaulted ceilings, hand-printed wallpaper, and a dramatic backlit bar that glimmers like a jewel box. Apotheke’s devotion to artistry, from its mesmerizing design to its plant-powered libations, makes it a sanctuary for seekers of beauty, adventure, and New York’s most unforgettable cocktails.