The “It” Bars Hospitality Insiders Can’t Stop Thinking About
From a fringe-draped martini bar in D.C. to a tiny snow-covered tavern in rural Japan—hospitality pros break down what makes these spots unforgettable.
Punch recently published an article, “Anatomy of a Modern 'It' Bar,” highlighting five key design elements defining today's buzziest spots:
Vibey V-shaped glasses
Built-in mood lighting
Statement slabs
Glass bricks
Drinks served on silver platters or trays
But according to Punch, the real hallmark of a modern "it" bar is its ability to evoke the atmosphere of a chic, intimate house party.
I live above a whiskey bar that definitely meets the house party vibes—though maybe not so much the chic. There’s something about that constant hum of conversation that most people might find irritating—but I love it. I fall asleep to the white noise of life unfolding downstairs. On countless nights, I’ve turned to my husband before we drift to sleep and whispered, “Someone down there is falling in love, someone else is be breaking up, another person is maybe having a raunchy one-night stand… life is literally happening below us!”
Bars are the backdrop to some of our best and worst decisions. They matter because they distill humanity at its rawest—joy, heartbreak, lust, regret—all playing out in real time, no matter the country, language, or local firewater in hand.
Given my slight obsession with what makes a place tick, I decided to tap some friends in hospitality—those who always seem to be sipping something delightful at the most intriguing watering holes across the world. I asked them: What’s the one thing they think defines an "it" bar? And, perhaps more importantly, where’s their favorite bar of all time?
Their answers were just as interesting as you'd expect.
“Intimacy can be derived from the space itself, and the atmosphere, but it is the people whose hospitality create a truly intimate bar experience. Intimacy connotes a certain coziness of space, but even though I love tiny bars (Concrete Bar in Kyoto is one unforgettable hole in the wall), even more spacious bars can create intimacy. One of my favorite places to have a drink is at Trunk Yoyogi Park, where the rooftop bar, overlooking a small infinity pool and Yoyogi Park itself, is only accessible to guests of the intimate boutique hotel.
While not a scene (like The Edition Toranomon and other cocktail hotpots), the joy is in the beauty of the space itself, and the tangibly welcoming nature of the staff.
Other classic Tokyo standouts, like Bar Trench and Ahiru Store, also excel in creating authentically intimate spaces where, if you are fortunate enough to find a seat at the bar, you will immediately feel like you have been welcomed into a special place and moment in time.” — Andres Zuleta
“When you walk into a bar and feel a quiet eccentricity—where the hand of the owner is evident in everything, from the interior design to the menu.
My husband and I were in the quiet village of Kaga in the Ishikawa prefecture of Japan. We were walking through the snow and came across the glow of a small tavern. Inside we were greeted by the young sake master Yusuke Shimoki and welcomed to take a seat at his 5-seat bar. We drank pristine sake all night, had tofu misozuke for the first time, and smoked cigarettes in the snow. The next night I returned to gift him a bottle of mezcal. Our friendship never ended. I think of that snowy tavern often.” — Lane Harlan
“My favorite bars put special attention into the smallest of details. It's what I like to call the ‘fringe benefits’ of a good martini. At Medina, in Washington, DC, the fringe benefits are literally attached to the bar. Restaurateur Rose Previte lines her bar counter with a gold-laced fringe that adds a sensory experience while you sip. I dare you not to run your fingers along this bar covered in thick silk tassel. It offers a tactical experience that's pure fun and fancy. And many people at the bar will join you, playfully brushing their hands along the bar's edge.
But you're not here to play around either. The menu inspired by Arabic flavors feels as if you've been transported from the District of Columbia directly to the souk thousands of miles away. Order-up their martini service. A choose-your-own adventure drinks experience where the vodka is washed in Moroccan olive oil and the gin hails from one of Spain's oldest and best-known producers (Xoriguer Mahón). This cocktail comes served with plenty of accoutrements from Castelvetrano olives and lemon zest to sumac-pickled pearl onions. Of course, your drink is made tableside, as you take in the other small design touches of Previte's bar. The combined experience goes way beyond the depths of flavors found in any drink. It delivers a unique feeling, as if you've entered the heart of a city's pulsating bazaar.” — Tim Ebner
“For me, one of the most underrated yet crucial components of a standout bar is ice. Most people don’t realize how dramatically ice impacts dilution, temperature, and even flavor—there’s a reason certain cocktails come chilled directly in the glass, while others require precisely shaped ice cubes, spheres, or crushed ice. The best bars recognize that ice isn’t just an afterthought, but a central character in cocktail storytelling. Death & Co. has always gotten this exactly right, from their legendary original location in New York to their newer outposts like Denver.” — Shanika Hillocks
“It” Bar Recommendations From the Community
I also reached out to all of you—and, as expected, you delivered. Here are a few standouts, in no particular order: