A bar in Mexico that ‘evokes the bygone age of the Hollywood speakeasy’ has been named the best in the world.
Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City ranks No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Bars awards for 2024 – Mexico’s first-ever winner – while London retains its crown as the cocktail capital of Europe.
The continent has 19 bars on the list and four are in the UK capital – No.4 Tayer + Elementary, Connaught Bar at No.13, Satan’s Whiskers at No.29 and Scarfes Bar at No.37. Elsewhere in the UK, Panda & Sons in Edinburgh rises nine places to No.30.
New York dominates in the United States, also with four bars, with Double Chicken Please at No. 14, Overstory one rank behind at No. 15, Martiny’s at No. 24 and Superbueno at No. 27.
In Australia, the top-ranked bar is Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (No. 21), followed by Maybe Sammy (16th) in Sydney. Another Melbourne bar – Byrdi – places at No.35.
Handshake Speakeasy (above) in Mexico City ranks No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Bars awards for 2024 – Mexico’s first-ever winner
In Hong Kong, new entry Bar Leone has stormed into the list at No.2, taking the title of The Best Bar in Asia
London retains its crown as the cocktail capital of Europe – it has four bars on the list, including Tayer + Elementary (above, No4)
New York dominates in the United States – its Double Chicken Please bar (above) is the country’s top entry at No. 14
In Australia, the top-ranked bar is Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (above, No. 21)
Overall winner Handshake Speakeasy, in the Colonia Juárez neighbourhood of Mexico City, is ‘one of the capital’s best-kept open secrets’, according to an awards statement.
It continued: ‘Hidden behind a secret door in a dimly lit room stocked with an impressive array of vintage spirits, the bar has interiors that masterfully evoke the bygone age of the Hollywood speakeasy.
‘While the atmospheric black marble, rich brass detailing and moody lighting of the interior are akin to stepping back a century, the innovative cocktail menu is rooted firmly in the future. Bar Director Eric van Beek effortlessly melds tradition and innovation, elevating the classics through cutting-edge technique developed in the on-site lab, revolutionising familiar recipes with unexpected flavours.’
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, says: ‘To be the first-ever No.1 from Mexico is an outstanding achievement, of which Eric van Beek and his team are hugely deserving. The bar’s impressive rise through the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars over the years is a testament to their unique combination of flawless hospitality, innovative technique and truly excellent cocktails.’
The Perrier-sponsored awards ceremony took place at a live awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain, and features winners from 28 cities worldwide voted for by an academy of more than 700 experts.
Handshake Speakeasy is joined in the top three by Europe’s highest-rated bar, and last year’s No.1, Sips, Barcelona (3rd).
The Perrier-sponsored awards ceremony took place at a live awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain, and features winners from 28 cities worldwide voted for by an academy of more than 700 experts
Panda & Sons in Edinburgh (pictured) rises nine places to No.30
Handshake Speakeasy is joined in the top three by Europe’s highest-rated bar, and last year’s No.1, Sips in Barcelona (3rd)
Pictured above is Salmon Guru, in Madrid, which comes No.23 overall
Spanish bars that also make the ranking include Paradiso, Barcelona, at No. 10 and Salmon Guru, Madrid, at No.23.
Standout watering holes in Greece are Line (6th) and Baba au Rum (17th), both in Athens.
In France, the top spots are all in Paris – The Cambridge Public House ranks at No.19, followed by Bar Nouveau (39th) and Danico (49th).
In Italy, four bars are placed on the list – Drink Kong, Rome (33rd), Locale Firenze, Florence (36th), and two in Milan, Moebius Milano (38th), and 1930 (50th).
Himkok, Oslo (11th), and Röda Huset, Stockholm (45th), represent the best of the Nordics.
Outside of NYC, Jewel of the South, in New Orleans, is the only other U.S bar to make the top 50 at No. 34.
In Asia, Singapore takes the lead.
It has four bars on the list, stalwarts Jigger & Pony (No.5) and Atlas (No.43), along with new entries Nutmeg & Clove (28th) and Analogue Initiative (47th).
In Hong Kong, new entry Bar Leone has stormed into the list at No.2, taking the title of The Best Bar in Asia. It’s joined by neighbour Coa at No.18.
Joining the No. 1 bar in Mexico City are Tlecan (above) at No.20 and Licorería Limantour at No.32
In Asia, Singapore takes the lead. It has four bars on the list, including stalwarts Atlas (No.43), seen here
Behold Analogue Initiative in Singapore. It’s ranked the 47th best bar in the world
Dubai’s Mimi Kakushi holds its position at No.40 and is named The Best Bar in the Middle East & Africa
LEFT: A ‘Mezcal espadin’ cocktail served at the best bar in the world, Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City. RIGHT: A rum ‘daiquiri’ created by Edinburgh bar Panda & Sons (30th)
Bangkok and Tokyo claim two bars apiece, with Bangkok’s BKK Social Club rising to No.12 alongside Bar Us at No.41, while Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich (25th) is joined by newcomer Virtú (42nd). Over in Seoul, Zest takes No.9.
Joining the No. 1 bar in Mexico City are Tlecan at No.20 and Licorería Limantour at No.32, while Guadalajara’s El Gallo Altanero is a new entry at No.48.
Tres Monos in Buenos Aires takes the crown as The Best Bar in South America at No.7, with two other bars in the Argentinian capital making the cut – CoChinChina (22nd) and Florería Atlántico (46th).
Colombia’s Alquímico in Cartagena comes in at No.8, with a new entry for Bogotá, La Sala de Laura, joining at No.44.
Representing Peru, Lima’s Lady Bee joins the list at an impressive No.16, while Tan Tan in Sao Paulo (new entry at No.31), flies the flag for Brazil.
Dubai’s Mimi Kakushi holds its position at No.40 and is named The Best Bar in the Middle East & Africa.
Emma Sleight adds: ‘We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every bar on this year’s list, which once again highlights the incredible diversity of the global bar sector. We hope that this year’s list continues to operate as a beacon for cocktail lovers the world over.’
For more visit www.theworlds50best.com.
