For the first time in the history of the World’s 50 Best Bars, a bar from Mexico has ascended to the pinnacle of the global cocktail scene, claiming the coveted top spot. This monumental achievement was announced during the prestigious annual awards ceremony which this year took place in the vibrant city of Madrid, Spain. Amidst fierce competition, Handshake Speakeasy, located in the heart of Mexico City, was crowned The World’s Best Bar for 2024, marking a historic moment not only for the venue but also for the Mexican bar industry.
“Tucked away in Colonia Juárez, Handshake Speakeasy has perfected the blend of nostalgic elegance and future-forward cocktails. Led by Bar Director Eric van Beek, the bar offers a sensory experience through its Art Deco-inspired space and a lab-developed cocktail programme that revolutionises classic drinks. Congratulations to all the winners on this year’s list, highlighting the ongoing innovation and diversity in the global cocktail scene.” — Emma Sleight, Head of Content for 50 Best Bars.
Hands Down the Best in the World
For the first time in its history, the World’s 50 Best Bars awards were held in Madrid, Spain. The event brought together the bar industry’s elite, flying in from across the globe. This year also marked a historic win for Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, which claimed the No.1 spot. The bar, known for its vintage spirits and cutting-edge cocktail techniques, is led by Eric van Beek, who blends tradition and innovation to create cocktails that redefine familiar recipes.
“Everything started with a question… “How it would felt to won an award like this?”, and that was the end of 2018. Our dream was to enter the list, so we started working really hard to be on it, then we split from our original partners when the pandemic arrives. So we continued with the dream, at that point it was only Marcos and me, I meet Eric before the pandemic and I remember his drinks blew my mind, so when Eric was in the Netherlands I proposed to him to be part of the project, he initially didn’t want to be part of it, but I finally convinced him. I can say that winning all these awards was a dream that come with a lot of work, effort, dedication and most importantly team work. We are now a team of 35 people and still growing for the new spot that we will be opening.Looking back I just can say dreams do come true, you just need to work for it. This is our Cinderella story.” — Rodrigo Urraca, Co-Founder of Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico.
Asian Representation: 10 Bars in Top 50, 16 in Top 100
This year saw decent representation from Asia, with 10 bars making the top 50 and 16 bars in the 51-100 List, for a total of 26 bars. Bar Leone in Hong Kong made an impressive debut at No.2, earning the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award. Singapore’s bars remained strong, with Jigger & Pony (No.5), Nutmeg & Clove (No.28), Atlas (No.43), and Analogue Initiative (No.47). Meanwhile, Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich (No.25) was joined by new entry Virtù (No.42), and Zest in Seoul claimed the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award at No.9.
Meet The Bartenders: Media Round Table
The event also featured a media round table, where bartenders from the world’s top bars shared their insights. Among the speakers were Eric van Beek of Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City), Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone (Hong Kong), Monica Berg of Tayēr + Elementary (London), and Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Jimenez of Superbueno (New York). They discussed their creative processes, cocktail philosophies, and how their bars have become destinations for cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024
- Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico
- Bar Leone, Hong Kong
- Sips, Barcelona, Spain
- Tayēr + Elementary, London, UK
- Jigger & Pony, Singapore
- Line, Athens, Greece
- Tres Monos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Alquímico, Cartagena, Colombia
- Zest, Seoul, South Korea
- Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
- Himkok, Oslo, Norway
- BKK Social Club, Bangkok, Thailand
- Connaught Bar, London, UK
- Double Chicken Please, New York, USA
- Overstory, New York, USA
- Lady Bee, Lima, Peru
- Baba au Rum, Athens, Greece
- Coa, Hong Kong
- The Cambridge Public House, Paris, France
- Tlecān, Mexico City, Mexico
- Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, Australia
- CoChinChina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Salmon Guru, Madrid, Spain
- Martiny’s, New York, USA
- Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo, Japan
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia
- Superbueno, New York, USA
- Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
- Satan’s Whiskers, London, UK
- Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, UK
- Tan Tan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Licorería Limantour, Mexico City, Mexico
- Drink Kong, Rome, Italy
- Jewel of the South, New Orleans, USA
- Byrdi, Melbourne, Australia
- Locale Firenze, Florence, Italy
- Scarfes Bar, London, UK
- Moebius Milano, Milan, Italy
- Bar Nouveau, Paris, France
- Mimi Kakushi, Dubai, UAE
- Bar Us, Bangkok, Thailand
- Virtù, Tokyo, Japan
- Atlas, Singapore
- La Sala de Laura, Bogotá, Colombia
- Röda Huset, Stockholm, Sweden
- Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Analogue Initiative, Singapore
- El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Danico, Paris, France
- 1930, Milan, Italy
- The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens, Greece
- Kwānt, Mayfair, London, UK
- Freni e Frizioni, Rome, Italy
- The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan
- Arca, Tulum, Mexico
- Cat Bite Club, Singapore
- Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok, Thailand
- Argo, Hong Kong, China
- Little Red Door, Paris, France
- The Clumsies, Athens, Greece
- A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK
- Mirror Bar, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou, China
- Thunderbolt, Los Angeles, USA
- Angelita, Madrid, Spain
- Café La Trova, Miami, USA
- Native, Singapore
- Barro Negro, Athens, Greece
- Carnaval, Lima, Peru
- Bar Pompette, Toronto, Canada
- Bar Cham, Seoul, South Korea
- Svanen, Oslo, Norway
- Wax On, Berlin, Germany
- Night Hawk, Singapore
- Hero Bar, Nairobi, Kenya
- LPM, Dubai, UAE
- Bird, Copenhagen, Denmark
- L’Antiquario, Naples, Italy
- Dante, New York, USA
- Katana Kitten, New York, USA
- Sin + Tax, Johannesburg, South Africa
- The Savory Project, Hong Kong, China
- Baltra Bar, Mexico City, Mexico
- Attaboy, New York, USA
- Vesper, Bangkok, Thailand
- Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
- Rayo, Mexico City, Mexico
- Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, USA
- The Bellwood, Tokyo, Japan
- Amaro, London, UK
- Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Camparino in Galleria, Milan, Italy
- Hanky Panky, Mexico City, Mexico
- Red Frog, Lisbon, Portugal
- Nouvelle Vague, Tirana, Albania
- Cantina OK!, Sydney, Australia
- Employees Only, New York, USA
- Penrose, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Viajante87, London, UK
- Above Board, Melbourne, Australia
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023: Special Awards
Best Bar in the World: Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
Best Bar in Asia: Bar Leone, Hong Kong
Best Bar in Europe: Sips, Barcelona
Best Bar in Australasia: Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
Best Bar in the Middle East & Africa: Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
Best Bar in North America: Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
Best Bar in South America: Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
Bareksten Best Bar Design Award: Himkok, Oslo
Campari One To Watch Award: Cat Bite Club, Singapore
Disaronno Highest New Entry Award: Bar Leone, Hong Kong
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award: Zest, Seoul
London Essence Best New Opening Award: Superbueno, New York
Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award: Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award: Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award: Lyaness, London
Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award: Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
Roku Industry Icon Award: Monica Berg of Tayēr + Elementary, London
50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship: Calliope Draper of Partake, Edmonton
For our thoughts on The Worlds 50 Best Bars, see The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022.
For our thoughts on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, see Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022.
For all 50 Best related content, see 50 Best.
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