Let’s be honest for a second. In the world of hospitality, there are lists, and then there are Lists.
Some are decided by a handful of people in a closed room. Others, like the Top500Bars, take a different approach. They listen to everyone. And “everyone” just decided that Hotsy Totsy belongs at spot #267 in the world.
We’re not ones to brag (okay, maybe just a little), but cracking the top 300 global bars is a big deal. It’s a nod to the late nights, the endless tweaking of recipes, and the thousands of conversations shared over our coupe glasses. But before we pop the champagne—or rather, stir a particularly dry martini—let’s talk about what this actually means for us, and more importantly, for you.
The Algorithm Has Spoken
If you aren’t familiar with how the Top500Bars list works, it’s not your typical awards show. There’s no red carpet, no single judge with a clipboard, and definitely no bribing the referee.
Instead, it’s built on big data. The ranking aggregates thousands of reviews, ratings, and digital footprints across the internet in over 20 languages. It’s essentially a massive, algorithmic mirror reflecting what the world truly thinks about a bar.
It’s democratic. It’s raw. It’s the voice of the people—from the local regular who stops by every Tuesday for an Old Fashioned, to the traveler from Tokyo who stumbled upon our speakeasy by accident and left a rave review at 2 AM.
Being ranked #267 isn’t just a badge we can pin on our apron. It’s validation that what we’re doing here in this hidden corner of Budapest resonates globally. It means the “Hotsy experience”—that specific blend of hush-hush atmosphere and loud flavors—translates in every language.
What Got Us Here?
We didn’t set out to chase rankings. We set out to create a place where we’d want to drink.
Hotsy Totsy was built on a simple premise: precision without pretension. We wanted a space that felt like a secret you couldn’t wait to share. A place where the lighting is always low, the welcome is always warm, and the drinks are always, always interesting.
The Art of the Pour
It starts with the liquid. Our menu isn’t just a list of ingredients; it’s a collection of stories. Whether it’s a twist on a Prohibition classic or a completely new invention using Hungarian botanicals, every cocktail is crafted with intention. We obsess over the details—the clarity of the ice, the aromatic oils in a garnish, the weight of the glass in your hand.
We believe that a great cocktail should challenge you slightly, comfort you greatly, and leave you wondering how soon is too soon to order another.
The Speakeasy Soul
Then there’s the vibe. In a city famous for its ruin bars and grand cafés, we carved out a niche for intimacy. We are a sanctuary for those who prefer conversation over chaos.
Our guests come here to escape the noise of the outside world. They come for the feeling of being “in the know.” There’s a specific magic that happens in a speakeasy. Time moves differently. You might come in for a quick drink and find yourself closing the place down, deep in conversation with a stranger who just became a friend. That connection is what the algorithm picked up on.
You, The People
Ultimately, this ranking belongs to you. Because the Top500Bars is data-driven, it literally wouldn’t exist without our guests.
Every time you tagged us in a story, left a review, or recommended us to a friend visiting Budapest, you contributed to this number. You are the data points. You are the reason we get to do what we love every single night.
Why #267 Is Just the Beginning
Is #267 a good number? Absolutely. Are we satisfied? Not even close.
The beautiful thing about rankings is that they are a snapshot in time. They tell us where we stand today, but they don’t dictate where we’re going tomorrow.
For us, this recognition is fuel. It pushes us to be more creative with our menu, more attentive in our service, and more daring in our concepts. We want to keep surprising you. We want to keep refining that Hotsy Totsy experience so that next year, the algorithm has even more good things to say.
But let’s not get too lost in the numbers. At the end of the day, the only ranking that truly matters is the one you give us when you take that first sip.
Come Celebrate With Us
So, what should you do with this information?
Simple. You should come drink it in.
Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re just finding out about us now, we invite you to come and see what a world-ranked bar feels like. No reservations are necessary—just walk in, find a seat in the shadows, and let us make you something worthy of the #267 spot.
The algorithm did its job. Now let us do ours.
See you at the bar.
