World’s 50 Best Bars, the same operation that names the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, just released a portion of its annual ranking, naming some of the top drinking holes in the country—and our very own Thunderbolt in Echo Park-meets-Historic Filipinotown landed at number 64 (the organization dropped its 51–100 list, with plans to announce the top 50 in Madrid on October 22). Americans in general should be proud: USA bars lead representation in the (half of the) list for the second year in a row, with a total of seven destinations included, four of which are in New York. A panel of over 700 independent bartenders, educators, drink experts, cocktail specialists and award-winning writers comes up with the list each year. Although there are no pre-determined criteria that voters are asked to keep in mind, there are strict rules to follow: the experts must have visited the bars they are praising during the 18-month voting period, they are not allowed to self-nominate or mention a destination in which they have a financial interest. One more thing: pop-ups do not qualify. “This extended ranking gives us another incredible opportunity to celebrate the relentless dedication and unparalleled hospitality of the world’s best bars on an even greater scale and to welcome bars from even more destinations to the ranking,” said Emma Sleight, head of content for the World’s 50 Best Bars, in an official statement. So will we see another L.A. bar make it to the top half of the list? Our guess is no; Thunderbolt was already the highest-ranked L.A. spot in this year’s North America list (Mírate also landed on there, but lower down at number 46). But that’s alright: Thunderbolt happens to be our pick for L.A.’s top-ranked bar, and for good reason thanks to its pages-long list of playful concoctions. Check out the 51–100 list below. 51. The Bar in Front of the Bar in Athens52. Kwãnt Mayfair in London53. Freni e Frizioni in Rome54. The SG Club in Tokyo55. Arca in Tulum56. Cat Bite Club in Singapore57. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar in Bangkok58. Argo in Hong Kong59. Little Red Door in Paris60. The Clumsies in Athens61. A Bar with Shapes For a Name in London62. Mirror Bar in Bratislava63. Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou64. Thunderbolt in Los Angeles65. Angelita in Madrid66. Café La Trova in Miami67. Native in Singapore68. Barro Negro in Athens69. Carnaval in Lima70. Bar Pompette in Toronto71. Bar Cham in Seoul72. Svanen in Oslo73. Wax On in Berlin74. Night Hawk in Singapore75. Hero Bar in Nairobi76. LPM Dubai in Dubai77. Bird in Copenhagen78. L’Antiquario in Naples79. Dante in New York80. Katana Kitten in New York81. Sin + Tax in Johannesburg82. The Savory Project in Hong Kong83. Baltra Bar in Mexico City84. Attaboy in New York85. Vesper in Bangkok86. Smoke & Bitters in Hiriketiya87. Rayo in Mexico City88. Pacific Cocktail Haven in San Francisco89. The Bellwood in Tokyo90. Amaro in London91. Zapote Bar in Playa del Carmen92. Camparino in Galleria in Milan93. Hanky Panky in Mexico City94. Red Frog in Lisbon95. Nouvelle Vague in Tirana96. Cantina OK! in Sydney97. Employees Only in New York98. Penrose in Kuala Lumpur99. Viajante87 in London100. Above Board in Melbourne