50 Bars to Blow Your Mind (Lonely Planet)

From the people who have been delivering trustworthy guidebooks to every destination in the world for 40 years, Lonely Planet's 50 Bars To Blow Your Mind handpicks the world's most extraordinary drinking holes, from caverns and island party havens to a bar nestled in an ancient tree trunk.

This pocket-sized gift book showcases 50 of the world's best bars and is the perfect gift for anyone interested in the best places in the world for a drink. Whether they boast a jaw-dropping location, world-class artisan cocktails or effortless cool, these bars are among the best places on the planet to enjoy a drink or two.

How have we whittled down this list? Some bars have earned their spot by playing up their obvious assets, whether it's an interesting urban location or a stunning natural setting. Others are champions of the basics, be they cocktails or single liquors, while still others do something dramatically unusual or fun; some are so quirky it's impossible not to marvel over a custom-made cocktail. But perhaps the secret sauce in all this is genuine desire to delight each person who walks through the door. It's a love of hospitality and an enthusiasm for the precious drop.

Whether you're a fan of barefoot, surfside imbibing or you prefer sophisticated cocktails in stylish surrounds, it's time to plan your list. Cheers, salut, bottoms up. See you at the bar.