Planning a holiday? We've got a list of 20 of the world's best bars from www.worldsbestbars.com. If you're in the vicinity of one of them, make sure you pay a visit...

1. Sky Bar, Beirut

The top spot goes to Beirut's best bar, which was once the roof-top bar of the swanky Palm Beach Hotel, but now is based at BIEL. The glitz however remains the same, and local celebrities and moneyed Lebanese men sun themselves while sipping Caiparinhas, the Med gleaming in the distance...

2. Saphire Bar, Berlin

The Saphire Bar (with just the one 'p') is one of Berlin's very best whisky bars, stocking a huge variety, including some rarities and unexpected gems. There's also a large cocktail menu if whisky isn't your thing.

Divided into two lounge areas, the bar has cosy white leather sofas. Upmarket but not pretentious...

3. Riva, Berlin

Chic cocktail bar in ultra-hip Mitte, cordoned off with thick dark curtains and named, oddly, after the 1970s Italian football star, Luigi Riva.

Dark and moody, it's an odd tunnel-like space with a curved ceiling painted in bright red, yellow and purple squares. The oval-shaped centrepiece bar is all designer glitz and perfect for perching yourself, but leather benches along the walls are good too...

4. T-O 12, Stuttgart

This is the place to head for a night of serious clubbing. Spread over three floors, the dramatically decked out T-O12, has huge murals on the walls, while the furniture is stark and white in contrast to the all black-floors and ceilings.

The bar area glitters with mirrors and the drinks are as cool as the decor. Tiny pin-prick lights stimulate the senses and the pounding music, provided by top level DJs, will keep you moving well into the early hours of the morning.

5. Sandinista, Leeds

This is a funky Central American-themed cantina in Leeds. Fruity Latin cocktails including Mojitos and Caipirinhas are the name of the drinks game and an eclectic music selection that covers rock, indie, funk, soul, reggae and '80s completes the picture.

You can choose from a wide range of tapas and other meals to moderate the excesses of the great cocktails here. The outside area makes for great summer evenings too.

6. Purdy Lounge, Miami

The finest Margaritas in Miami? Yep. The classiest Cosmopolitans on the coast? No doubt. But these are only two of the reasons you'll love the Purdy Lounge.

Another is the mood: as sexy and laid-back as the design with a cool and friendly, fun-loving crowd who are rather more refreshing to come across than most of those you meet in the pretentiousness of Miami Beach.

But it's the design that the World's Best Bars really went crazy for. A beautiful curvy bar counter is done in varnished dark wood, and customers can sit at cool, silver and chrome, purple-upholstered stools sipping their tipple while chatting to the barman.

7. Vertigo, Bangkok

Situated 61 floors above the city on the roof of the sultry Banyan Tree Hotel, Vertigo and its Moon Bar are tops for great views, less good for staying dry though, since it has no roof.

A chic open-air lounge, popular with the cocktail-drinking glamour set and Amex carrying expats, the restaurant does good barbecued seafood and boasts some excellent signature dishes, but mostly you're here for the drink and scenery.

8. Der Raum, Melbourne

Der Raum in German means 'The Room' though the place is smaller, cosier and infinitely hipper than your average Bavarian Beerhall. Indeed, cocktails are the thing here: innovative and generally top-notch, made with fresh fruit rather than cordials and syrups.

Pop down on a Thursday when the bar-tenders get experimental and willing guineau pigs are required to sample their creations. Saturdays are also a good bet when guest DJs bring a bit of Latin atmosphere to the joint. Drinks here may cost a bit more than average but expertise is always worth paying for.