About barsforKings
We go to the bars so you go to the right ones. 72 cities, 8 occasions, one editorial standard that never compromises.
barsforKings started from a simple frustration. Every other bar guide either lists everything without judgment, or reviews bars months after the crowd has moved on. We built something different.
Our editors live in the cities they cover. They visit the bars on regular nights, not press nights. They pay their own tabs. That editorial independence is the reason our readers trust us.
We organize bars by occasion because that is how people actually think. You do not search for a bar. You search for the right bar for tonight's occasion. Sports bar for the game, cocktail parlour for the date night, rooftop for the colleagues.
Every listing is reviewed by a named editor. Every recommendation is updated at least quarterly. We remove bars that drop their standard. We add bars before they get crowded. That is our commitment.
The method
No press invites. No complimentary rounds. Our editors visit the same way you would, on a Wednesday or a Saturday, unannounced. We order from the menu. We pay the bill. We come back a second time before writing a single word.
Atmosphere, drink quality, service speed, price fairness, crowd calibre, noise level, seating availability, consistency on return, cocktail creativity, beer range, natural light, and neighbourhood fit. Every bar scores against all 12.
A great bar in January can be a disappointing bar by April. Management changes, staff turn over, kitchens close. We revisit every listing at least once per quarter. Bars that slip get flagged, then removed if they do not recover.
Built by people who actually go to bars
barsforKings was founded by two executives who between them have lived across four continents, logged hundreds of thousands of miles in business travel, and grown deeply impatient with bar guides written by people who don't drink.
Fredrik Filipsson is a business executive who has lived and worked across Sweden, Ireland, Spain, Thailand, and now splits his time between Dubai and Florida. He has sat in sports bars on four continents.
Morten Andersen has called Spain home for years, having previously lived in Sweden, Denmark, the UK, Ireland, and Las Vegas, a trajectory that covers both the world's best pubs and its most theatrical cocktail venues.
The editors behind the cities
Former bartender turned writer. James has worked bars in New York, Chicago, and New Orleans. He knows what the back of the bar looks like, and why it matters.
US cities →Sofia spent five years writing for drinks publications in London before moving to Amsterdam. She covers Northern European bar culture with real authority.
Northern Europe →Priya grew up between Lisbon and Singapore. She covers the Mediterranean coast, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf, regions where bar culture is evolving fast.
Mediterranean & Asia →Tom covers craft beer, live music, and hidden gems across every city in the guide. He drinks more pints per year than any reasonable person should.
Craft beer & music →Marcus splits his time between Los Angeles and Sydney. His specialty is rooftop bars and after-dark drinking in cities where the weather allows it.
Rooftops →Our editorial values
Sponsored listings are clearly labelled. Editorial rankings are never for sale. No bar has ever paid to improve its position in our ranked lists. That separation is the foundation of our readers' trust, and we will not trade it.
We never write that a bar has a "great atmosphere". We tell you that the lighting drops to 40 lux by 9pm, the jazz quartet starts at 10, and the corner booth fits four without feeling cramped. Specific is useful. Vague is noise.
We have all followed a recommendation to a bar that no longer resembles the description. We review every listing quarterly. If it has changed, we say so. If it has slipped, we remove it. Accuracy is respect for your time.
Your next step
One email, every Friday. Our editors' top bar picks across 60+ cities, places worth the detour.
Subscribe →3,600+ bars across 72 cities, organised by occasion. Sports nights, date nights, rooftop sessions, craft beer deep-dives.
All cities →Think your bar belongs in the guide? Our editors review every submission personally. Free, takes under 2 minutes.
Nominate →Sponsored listings and newsletter placements in front of readers actively planning their next night out.
Advertise →barsforKings is published by Kings Hospitality LLC, a company registered in Florida, USA.
Kings Hospitality LLC
1314 E Las Olas Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
United States
[email protected] · Contact us