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Mexico’s Handshake Speakeasy has topped the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars for the second year in a row.
Tucked inside the NH Hotel in Mexico City’s Colonia Juárez district, the two-level bar won praise for its “boundary-pushing” cocktail menu and for offering guests an “unforgettable, luxury cocktail experience.” Handshake Speakeasy also topped the 50 Best Bars list last year, making it two titles in a row since it opened in 2023.
The full list of North America’s 50 Best Bars was unveiled at an awards ceremony at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver on Tuesday. This was the first time the event was held in Canada, which counted seven bars on this year’s list, including Toronto’s Bar Pompette at number 7.
New York City’s popular East Village bar Superbueno came in at number two this year, followed by Mexico City’s Tlecān, New Orleans’ Jewel of the South, and New York’s Japanese style speakeasy, Sip & Guzzle, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary (its placement at number five also earned it the Highest New Entry Award).
This is the fourth edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars list, which features cocktail establishments from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Library by the Sea in the Cayman Islands was voted the Best Bar in the Caribbean, coming in at number 30 on the overall list. Puerto Rico’s La Factoría, followed closely behind at number 32.
As for the U.S., New York continues to lead the way in the cocktail scene, with 11 of the States’ 26 entries all based in the Tri-State area. Other mainstay New York bars recognized this year include Employees Only (18th), Double Chicken Please (19th) and Dante (46th).
Other U.S. entries include LA’s buzzy Mexican spot Mírate at number 12; Café La Trova from Miami at number 13; Chicago’s Bisous at number 39; Denver’s Yacht Club at number 41; and Washington DC’s Silver Lyan at number 48.
Winners for North America’s 50 Best Bars was chosen by a panel of experts comprised of bartenders and bar owners, drinks writers and educators, and “well-traveled cocktail experts.” Voters are kept anonymous though organizers say this year’s panel was increased to 300 voters with a 50/50 gender balance to “obtain a wider snapshot and ensure a greater number of diverse voices are heard in the voting process.”
You can see a full list of this year’s winners here.
