Sydney's Maybe Sammy takes 11th position in World's 50 Best Bar Awards

Maybe Sammy, the Sydney-based bar owned by Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardi, Andrea Gualdi, and Martin Hudak has been awarded the 11th position at the World’s 50 Best Bar Awards ceremony, which took place virtually in London yesterday.

Maybe Sammy climbed 32 places from 43rd place on last year’s list when it was also named Best Bar in Australasia by the acclaimed awarding body.

The award is the latest in a number of esteemed recognitions received by the bar since opening in January 2019. Maybe Sammy took home awards for Best New Bar, Bar of the Year, and Best Cocktail List at 2019’s Australian Liquor Industry Awards, also winning Cocktail Bar of the Year and Bar Team of the Year at Bartender Magazine’s Australian Bar Awards in the same year, as well as Best New International Cocktail Bar 2019 at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards.

Most recently, Maybe Sammy received the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award from World’s 50 Best Bars ahead of the announcement of this year’s top 50 list. 

“Last year our entry into The World’s 50 Best came out of nowhere and we were shocked,” says Maybe Sammy co-founder, Martin Hudak, “This time we knew that if we wanted to maintain the recognition, we had to push our standards even higher and keep the focus on what we do best. We are grateful and thankful for this achievement and we want to say thank you to the judges who voted for us. We also want to thank our incredible team and guests, as without them none of this would be possible.”

Known as one of Sydney’s most innovative and celebrated cocktail bars, Maybe Sammy was opened with a bartending team hand-selected from some of the best bars in the world. Its Hollywood Regency-meets-Palm Springs design combines classic elegance with a splash of extravagance.

Co-owner Andrea Gualdi (formerly of Artesian at The Langham Hotel in London) directs the beverage program with fellow co-owner Martin Hudak (formerly of American Bar at The Savoy Hotel in London). The menu includes modern interpretations of classic cocktails, delivered with theatrical flair, coffee-based cocktails, mini martinis, and a selection of cocktails made from vintage and limited-edition spirits. With its interior influenced by 1950s Hollywood and Las Vegas glamour and libations that exude sophistication, Maybe Sammy brings the same level of service you would expect from a high-end hotel bar. 

The World’s 50 Best Bars is an annual list that celebrates the best of the international drinks industry. Now in its 12th edition, 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.