The search for the perfect cocktail just became easier with the announcement of North America’s 50 Best Bars List for 2024. Now in its third year, the list highlights the exemplary cocktail culture prevalent across the North American landscape. Cultivated by William Reed Ltd, the same folks behind the highly influential World’s 50 Best Restaurant and World’s 50 Best Bars Lists, it seeks to shine a light on both long-term mainstays and game-changing newcomers.
Created from a poll of more than 270 experts based in North America, it has quickly become a much-anticipated event in the drinking landscape. One akin to earning a Michelin star in the restaurant world, taking home a Best of Category at the San Francisco Spirits Competition in the booze world, or a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
For this year’s list, Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City was named to the top spot, a first for Mexico, after landing in second in 2023. Its win highlighted a growing cocktail scene happening in the land of tequila, where fifteen bars made the list, nine of which were in Mexico City. The United States topped the list with 26 entrants; New York City was home to twelve, including spots 2-4. Rounding out the winners were seven from Canada and two from the Caribbean.
“Handshake Speakeasy continues to push the boundaries of the art of cocktail creation as well as always putting service first, so we are pleased to see them crowned the first bar in Mexico City named No.1 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list,” says Emma Sleight, head of content for North America’s 50 Best Bars. “We also extend our congratulations to all the other incredible bars on this year’s list that are testament to how exciting, innovative and dynamic the North American bar scene truly is.”
All of the bars on the list are eligible for inclusion on the 50 Best Bars in the World list when released in the fall. Last year, nine bars from the North American list also made the cut and landed on the ultimate stage. Here is the ultimate punch list for a cocktail lover.
The 50 Best Bars in North America 2024
1. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
2. Superbueno, New York
3. Overstory, New York
4. Martiny’s, New York,
5. Rayo, Mexico City
6. Jewel of the South, New Orleans
7. Double Chicken Please, New York
8. Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
9. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
10. Tlecān, Mexico City
11. Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen
12. Katana Kitten, New York
13. Café La Trova, Miami
14. El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
15. Employees Only, New York
16. Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana
17. Café de Nadie, Mexico City
18. La Factoría, San Juan
19. Kumiko, Chicago
20. Dante, New York
21. Civil Liberties, Toronto
22. Service Bar, Washington DC
23. Allegory, Washington DC
24. Botanist Bar, Vancouver
25. Herbs & Rye, Las Vegas
26. Baltra Bar, Mexico City
27. Bekeb, San Miguel de Allende
28. Kaito del Valle, Mexico City
29. Bar Pompette, Toronto
30. True Laurel, San Francisco
31. Attaboy, New York
32. Meadowlark, Chicago
33. The Dead Rabbit, New York
34. Selva, Oaxaca
35. Library by the Sea, Grand Cayman
36. Century Grand, Phoenix
37. Arca, Tulum
38. Pacific Cocktail Heaven, San Francisco
39. Cloakroom, Montreal
40. Bar Mordecai, Toronto
41. Maison Premiere, New York
42. Hanky Panky, Mexico City
43. Angel’s Share, New York
44. Milady’s, New York
45. Brujas, Mexico City
46. Mírate, Los Angeles
47. Cure, New Orleans
48. Best Intentions, Chicago
49. The Keefer Bar, Vancouver
50. Atwater Cocktail Club, Montreal