WINNING TIP: New York Bar, Tokyo

Now world-famous, thanks to Lost in Translation, the bar is on the 52nd floor of Shinjuku's Park Hyatt Hotel. The bar has arguably the best views in Tokyo and if you visit before 8pm you won't have to pay the £17 cover charge. However, the view at night is priceless. Try the L.I.T – a fusion of sake, Sakura liqueur, schnapps and cranberry juice. Perfect to go with the live music.
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, +81 3 5323 3458, tinyurl.com/newyorkbar
sunshine80

Germany

Uerige, Düsseldorf
2012 is the 150th anniversary of the wonderful top-fermenting Uerige brewery. Its in-house bar is a warren of wood-panelled rooms, with shining copper, scrubbed tables and quirky adornments. The beer is served straight from barrels, hoisted on to the bar by blue-aproned Kobes (waiters). And when you need something to soak it up, there is a tasty menu of traditional Rhenish fare, such as raw minced pork on rolls (Mettbrötchen).
Berger Strasse 1, +49 211 866990, uerige.de
troutiemcfish

The Bunker, Chemnitz
The Bunker is a fantastic gritty underground bar and live music venue in the heart of Chemnitz in Saxony. We went on a cold, rainy night. The front entrance is surrounded by oppressive concrete blocks and iron grilles, but once in, the underground lair is warm and inviting, and an actual former bunker, with low curving ceilings creating a higgledy-piggledy array of nooks and crannies tumbling away from the central room and bar used for the live shows. It was sweaty, claustrophobic, edgy and a great place to jump around to bands, DJs and music I'd not heard before.
Rosenplatz 7, +49 371 519949
laurence5000

Thailand

Sirocco bar at State Tower, Bangkok
Press floor 64 when you step into the lift of the State Tower in Bangkok and you will be transported to a rooftop bar with a sultry jazz singer to your left, a luminous blue bar to your right and 360-degree views of the city below. Step down the twinkling, sweeping staircase, make your way past the beautiful people to the cocktail bar and believe it – you are living the dream. 1055 Silom Road, lebua.com/en/the-dome-dining
florencenightingale

Spain

Ochoa, Alhama de Granada
This classic Andalucian tapas bar has a great atmosphere: it serves a fantastic selection of local wine and draft beer, and a plate of tapas is free with every drink. In summer the tables spill out into the narrow street and in winter the big wooden doors are closed and trays of burning olive wood are placed under your table to keep you warm. If the tapas don't fill you up you can order great rustic plates, all local and seasonal. The setas (fleshy wild mushrooms) and the calamares a la plancha (grilled squid) are both incredible.
Plaza de Constitución
SteveMcCann

Sala Flamenca, Seville
This glamorous live flamenco venue is frequented by many of Seville's celebs, such as Vicky Martín Berrocal, the flamenco dress designer. The walls are adorned with black-and-white photographs of flamenco greats. When we visited, a band played a mixture of flamenquito (pop/flamenco), sevillanas and salsa. Drinks are €8 a copa (spirit and mixer).
Calle Castilla 137
BecomingSevillana

Taberna el Albero, Cadiz
This little unpretentious bar, which also serves good simple seafood, is run by a one-time bullfighter. Most of the seating is outside on the street. It's located in the old fishermen's quarter, Barrio de La Viña, where many of the streets are populated with bars and restaurants. Not surprisingly considering the previous occupation of the owner, the bar is full of bullfighting memorabilia.
Calle San Félix
Fidge

France

La Belle Hortense, Paris
This is a wonderful literary wine bar in the Marais that hosts readings and performances (in French). They have a solid list of wines by the glass and space in the back to relax.
31 Rue Vieille du Temple, +33 1 4804 7460, cafeine.com
asher66

Mauri 7, Paris
On the buzzing rue Faubourg Saint-Denis, this bar is a lively and fun local. It's opposite the now uber-trendy Chez Jeannette, but offers a much more chilled out and party atmosphere than its neighbour. And much friendlier staff. Prices are reasonable, the music is great and you can even order a curry from the many Indian restaurants in Passage Brady next door and have it served to you in the bar.
46 rue Faubourg St Denis, +33 1 4479 0642
Sobecca

UK

Stags Head, Dunster, Somerset
his is a lovely pub, just out of the way of all the tourists in Exmoor national park. The staff are great, the food is terrific, and they do some great local ales and ciders.
West Street, 01643 821229, stagsheadinnexmoor.co.uk
TheBooCat

Croatia

Buza (Cold Drinks), Dubrovnik
Work your way down through the old town to the Jesuit church, and nearby there are a couple of hand-written signs saying simply "Cold Drinks". A small doorway in the wall leads to a tiny bar perched on jagged rocks. There are only about a dozen tables, which all face out to the Adriatic. Entertainment is provided by local lads diving off the rocks, and the conversation is a babble of languages. It's a magical spot and worth the prices for the views and ambience.
Crijeviceva 9, cafebuza.com
frankward

Belgium

Piola Libri, Brussels
An Italian bookshop and cultural hub where you can peruse shelves of Italian texts and translations, and also pick from an huge list of wines from small producers in Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, Veneto and Sardinia to take away or drink in. Piola Libri is particularly popular on the evenings when it hosts authors, poetry readings or groups of acoustic musicians. The bar is also known for its evening apéritif: breathe in and squish up for a glass of wine or Venetian Spritz and enjoy with some light appetizers on the house.
66-68 rue Franklin, 1000 Brussels, +32 2736 9391, piolalibri.be
Becinbrussels