The 'coolest streets in the world right now' named by Time Out, with Melbourne's Smith Street No1

A top 30 ranking of ‘the world’s coolest streets’ has been revealed by Time Out – and Smith Street in Melbourne has been awarded the coveted No1 spot.

The runner-up in the list is Passeig de Sant Joan in Barcelona and London’s South Bank comes third. In fourth is Havana’s San Isidro and Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles rounds out the top five.

A first for Time Out, the list was compiled by a global survey of more than 27,000 locals who were each asked to nominate their city’s coolest street. Time Out’s ‘expert local editors and writers’ added their thoughts to produce a ranking that ‘celebrates the great local businesses and communities that make our cities and streets exciting’.

Smith Street in Melbourne, which is No1 in Time Out's 'world's coolest streets' ranking

Smith Street in Melbourne, which is No1 in Time Out’s ‘world’s coolest streets’ ranking

Passeig de Sant Joan in Barcelona is the silver medallist in Time Out's coolest streets list, in part thanks to its 'stylish restaurants' and 'amazing collection of comic-book stores'

Passeig de Sant Joan in Barcelona is the silver medallist in Time Out’s coolest streets list, in part thanks to its ‘stylish restaurants’ and ‘amazing collection of comic-book stores’

Time Out said of Smith Street in Melbourne: ‘[It’s] a bustling, lively place filled with independent pubs, wine bars, restaurants and more. Live music and an array of nightlife make this an exciting place to get under the skin of Melbourne – once lockdown has eased.’

Silver-medallist Passeig de Sant Joan was praised for its pedestrian and cycle-friendly layout, ‘stylish restaurants’ and ‘amazing collection of comic-book stores called the “manga triangle”‘.

Third-place South Bank, which is strictly an area, but known primarily for its buzzing Thameside pathway, was lauded for being ‘the ideal place to stroll and take in some of London’s major attractions, including some of the world’s most iconic theatres and art galleries’. Time Out added: ‘The food market, pop-ups and famous skate park are all reasons to spend a day walking along the Thames.’

THE 30 COOLEST STREETS IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW 

1. Smith Street, Melbourne

2. Passeig de Sant Joan, Barcelona

3. South Bank, London

4. San Isidro, Havana

5. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles

6. Witte de Withstraat, Rotterdam

7. Rua Três Rios, São Paulo

8. Haji Lane, Singapore

9. Rua Rodrigues de Faria, Lisbon

10. Calle Thames, Buenos Aires

11. Krizíkova Ulice, Prague

12. 7th Street, Melville, Johannesburg

13. Cat Street, Tokyo

14. 30th Avenue, New York

15. Levinsky Street, Tel Aviv

16. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

17. Gran Vía, Madrid

18. Calle Ocho, Miami

19. King Street, Sydney

20. Rua de Miguel Bombarda, Porto

21. Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City

22. Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

23. Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

24. Rue Tiquetonne, Paris

25. Mariannenstrase, Berlin

26. Calle José Gálvez, Lima

27. Seaport Boulevard, Boston

28. Jægersborggade, Copenhagen

29. Allen Avenue, Lagos

30. Star Street, Hong Kong

Source: Time Out  

Third-place South Bank was lauded for being 'the ideal place to stroll and take in some of London's major attractions'

Third-place South Bank was lauded for being ‘the ideal place to stroll and take in some of London’s major attractions’

Pictured is the fourth coolest street in the world, according to Time Out - San Isidro in Havana

Pictured is the fourth coolest street in the world, according to Time Out – San Isidro in Havana

San Isidro, meanwhile, received praise for its ‘great street art’ and alfresco dining and cocktail-ordering action, and fifth-place Sunset Boulevard was described as ‘a 22-mile stretch [that] attracts visitors from all walks of life and leads you from the leafy shoreline to the ever-buzzing Hollywood media district’.

In sixth place is Rotterdam’s Witte de Withstraat, which ‘fizzes with activity from dawn till dusk’ and is ‘filled with great galleries, respected restaurants and, in normal times… the best club nights too’.

Sao Paulo’s ‘fast-evolving’ Rua Tres Rios with its ‘exhilarating gastronomic scene’ comes seventh and Singapore’s Haji Lane – ‘a wanderer’s paradise filled with interesting shops selling vintage finds, fabrics and more’ – comes eighth.

Sunset Boulevard, in fifth, was described as 'a 22-mile stretch [that] attracts visitors from all walks of life and leads you from the leafy shoreline to the ever-buzzing Hollywood media district'

Sunset Boulevard, in fifth, was described as ‘a 22-mile stretch [that] attracts visitors from all walks of life and leads you from the leafy shoreline to the ever-buzzing Hollywood media district’

In sixth place is Rotterdam’s Witte de Withstraat, pictured, which ‘fizzes with activity from dawn till dusk’

In eighth place is Singapore's Haji Lane – 'a wanderer's paradise filled with interesting shops selling vintage finds, fabrics and more'

In eighth place is Singapore’s Haji Lane – ‘a wanderer’s paradise filled with interesting shops selling vintage finds, fabrics and more’

In ninth is Lisbon's Rua Rodrigues de Faria – 'a creative hub lined with restaurants, shops, studios, co-working spaces and loads of street art'

In ninth is Lisbon’s Rua Rodrigues de Faria – ‘a creative hub lined with restaurants, shops, studios, co-working spaces and loads of street art’

Pictured here is 10th-place Calle Thames in Buenos Aires, a stretch that has 'an abundance of independent restaurants and bars to choose from, as well as plenty of dazzling street art'

Pictured here is 10th-place Calle Thames in Buenos Aires, a stretch that has ‘an abundance of independent restaurants and bars to choose from, as well as plenty of dazzling street art’

In ninth is Lisbon’s Rua Rodrigues de Faria – ‘a creative hub lined with restaurants, shops, studios, co-working spaces and loads of street art’ – and in 10th is Calle Thames in Buenos Aires, a stretch that has ‘an abundance of independent restaurants and bars to choose from, as well as plenty of dazzling street art’.

‘Our first-ever World’s Coolest Streets list celebrates the great local businesses and communities that make our cities and streets exciting,’ said James Manning, International Editor of Time Out. ‘They have kept us going through the past year and it’s more important than ever to support them as the world begins reopening. From outdoor dining to open-air culture, street life is where you can glimpse the future of our cities. Humans are social creatures and these streets are the places to be as we start eating, drinking and socialising together once again.’

Rebecca Russo, Time Out Melbourne Editor, said: ‘After four hard lockdowns, Melburnians have spoken and they clearly want to have fun. And boy, there’s a lot of fun to be had on Smith Street. Whether it’s digging into a parma at the pub, dancing all night at a queer-friendly club or shopping for cool Scandi furniture, Smith Street is where you can get it done – and all are welcome to enjoy it.’

Visit www.timeout.com/things-to-do/coolest-streets-in-the-world for more on the full list.

source: express.co.uk