FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE (FTG), the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas, unveiled its Verified List for 2019’s World’s Best Hotel Bars on Oct. 15, naming The Bar at The Peninsula Manila as one of only 45 bars around the world — and the only one in the Philippines — to earn the accolade. This comes on the heels of the Forbes Five Star Awards announcement in February, in which The Peninsula achieved Forbes Five Star status across all 10 of its hotels, resulting in The Peninsula Hotels being the first and only hotel brand to achieve the highest possible FTG rating for all its hotels.

Just a few steps from Salon de Ning and a short walk from the famous Lobby, The Bar echoes the dimly lit bars of Cuba, an intimate space to enjoy the signature Batangas Old Fashioned and Poor Man’s Tea, or savor a malt whisky. The plush armchairs and leather couches encourage intimate conversation among guests.

The Verified List for 2019’s World’s Best Hotel Bars recognizes 45 bars across 13 countries, and represents hotel bars that performed exceptionally on standards related to the quality of their beverage program, their presentation and their luxurious service. Each hotel bar was inspected and scored using criteria such as elements of luxury standards, which reflect sumptuous comfort, choices and conveniences, including a special level of attention to details, and also food and beverage quality standards, which play an important part in the guest experience. Bars must also demonstrate the technical aptitude of their staff, such as their ability to listen to guests’ individual preferences and to deliver beverages at correct temperatures.

“We’ve seen hotel bars evolve enormously in our 60-plus years of operating Forbes Travel Guide, hence the focus of our fourth Verified List,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “Hotel bars are now destinations in their own right and have the ability to transform a hotel experience. We congratulate all of the bars on the list, which were vetted and verified based on the most rigorous standards. They not only scored highly, but also provided the most luxurious experience for hotel and local guests alike.”

Two other Peninsula hotel bars join The Bar at The Peninsula Manila in the Verified List — Z Bar at The Peninsula Chicago and The Club Bar at The Peninsula Beverly Hills.

The Verified List throws a spotlight on amazing hotel bars in the Philippines, China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.