100 great bars of the world

Moored on the Buda side just south of Petofi Bridge, the A38 is a decommissioned Ukrainian stone hauler ship from 1968 that has been recycled as a major floating bar and live-music venue. So cool it's hot in summer and the hold, well, rocks throughout the year.

www.a38.hu

This bar has been reviewed by Lonely Planet

In the heart of Rotterdam along one of the few remaining 'authentic' inner city streets, De Witte Aap is a bar where old and new converge and where locals and tourists happily mix. An arty crowd of students and hipsters hit the bar here and stay for the DJ mixes.

www.dewitteaap.nl

This bar has been reviewed by Singha

The granddaddy of Budapest's super grungy romkocsma (ruin pubs), Szimpla was the first to open and is still arguably the best and bawdiest of the bunch. Several rooms, including a large open-air garden, can accommodate hundreds of people, partying into the night and picking from a great selection of beers, wine and cocktails.

This bar has been reviewed by Lonely Planet

Step into this huge converted brick factory in the Kreuzberg district and you'll find cool industrial chic with high ceilings, long communal tables and comfy chill-out areas. It's a restaurant-bar but many just come for a beer or cocktail on 'the beach', the sand-covered, deck-chair strewn outdoor area by the riverfront.

www.sage-restaurant.de

This bar has been reviewed by Singha

Cover bands, raucous aprés-ski drinking and dancing on the tables make Chambre Neuf one of Chamonix' liveliest party haunts. Conversations about epic off-pistes and monster jumps that are, like, totally mental, man, dominate at every table.

This bar has been reviewed by Lonely Planet

Speakeasy chic with a couple of snugs for contriving your own cocktail-fuelled dirty secrets. Down the tiny stairs, there's a cosy bluestone basement with DJs, acoustic acts or comedy. The drinks menu is broad and there is an excellent range of spirits.

www.crds.com.au

This bar has been reviewed by Lonely Planet

The drinks list at Umami Bar perfectly complements the Asia-inspired cuisine. Apart from fresh-juice cocktails and boutique wines, you can choose from unfiltered sake or red rice ale beer. Decor is typical minimalist Asian style and the atmosphere warm.

www.umamiboston.com

This bar has been reviewed by Singha

This gritty brown cafe has been luring drinkers for more than 300 years. Journalists, bums, socialites and raconteurs toss back brews amid the ancient wood panelling. Most months the energetic crowd spews out from the dark interior and onto the Spui.

www.cafehoppe.com

This bar has been reviewed by Lonely Planet

Sure, it's touristy. But this is the world's original city ice bar, built in Stockholm after the success of the ice hotel in Kiruna. Everything is carved from ice brought down from the frozen north, including your glass and tables, and vodka is the drink of choice. Admission price gets you warm booties, mittens, a parka and one vodka.

www.absoluticebar.com

This bar has been reviewed by Lonely Planet

Kuala Lumpur's quirkiest bar is responsible for beer's new girlfriend, 'curry popcorn', and a drink called Kick in the Nuts. Colourful, creative, quirky and super-cool, this cafe-bar is a great place to eat, drink, play board games, and check out KL's boho crowd. It encourages free art, garbage fashion and wacky decor such as a broken carousel horse on the bar top and a wall made out of grass.

www.palatepalette.com

This bar has been reviewed by Singha