The 2025 North America’s 50 Best Bars: A Celebration of Excellence and Innovation in Cocktail Culture

The world of mixology was abuzz with excitement as the city of Vancouver played host to the 2025 edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars. The ceremony, held at the prestigious JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, brought together thousands of the industry’s top talent, influencers, and cocktail enthusiasts to celebrate the best of the best in Canadian and American bartending. The event was a testament to the city’s thriving cocktail scene and its status as a hotspot for innovation and creativity in the world of mixology.

The Winning Formula: Handshake Speakeasy’s Cocktail Wizardry

Handshake Speakeasy, a bi-level bar in Mexico City’s Colonia Juárez, took the coveted title of North America’s Best Bar for the second consecutive year. The bar’s success can be attributed to the innovative approach taken by its director, Eric van Beek, and co-founder, Rodrigo Urraca. Under their direction, the team has developed a unique cocktail menu that showcases regional ingredients and features molecular mixology techniques. Some of the bar’s standout offerings include the fig martini and piña colada, both of which have gained a cult following among cocktail enthusiasts. The fig martini, in particular, is said to have started it all for van Beek and Urraca, who have crafted the drink using locally sourced figs and innovative techniques to bring out its full flavor potential.

More than Just a Pretty Face: A Closer Look at Handshake Speakeasy’s Success

Despite its reputation for being a Prohibition-era-inspired bar, Handshake Speakeasy is anything but old-fashioned in its approach to cocktail creation. The team’s use of molecular mixology allows them to craft drinks that are not only visually stunning but also expertly balanced and full of flavor. One of the key factors in the bar’s success is its commitment to using regional ingredients. By incorporating locally sourced materials into their cocktails, van Beek and Urraca are able to showcase the unique flavors and characteristics of their region. This approach not only sets the bar apart from others but also helps to preserve the local culture and traditions of Mexico.

Awards Galore: Handshake Speakeasy Joins the Elite Ranks

In addition to taking top honors as North America’s Best Bar, Handshake Speakeasy has also won the coveted title of World’s Best Bar. This prestigious award is a testament to the bar’s commitment to excellence and innovation in cocktail creation. The bar’s success has also inspired other bars in Mexico City, with several others on the list making it into the top 50. Tlecān, Licorería Limantour, Bar Mauro, Baltra Bar, Bijou Drinkery Room, Hanky Panky, and Kaito del Valle all made it into the top 50, with Handshake Speakeasy’s 2025 ranking as the top spot.

A Canadian Debut: Botanist and The Keefer Bar Shine

The 2025 North America’s 50 Best Bars ceremony also marked a significant milestone for Canada, as it made its debut as a host city. The event was a huge success, with Botanist scoring the 26th spot and The Keefer Bar coming in at 28. Canada continued to represent well, with Toronto’s Bar Pompette (No. 7), Civil Liberties (No. 21), Bar Mordecai (No. 37), and Mother (No. 40) all making it into the top 50. Other Canadian bars that made the list included Montreal’s Cloakroom Bar (No. 31) and Atwater Cocktail Club (No. 36).

Awards Host Emma Sleight’s Thoughts

The 50 Best host, Emma Sleight, expressed her excitement at bringing the North America’s 50 Best Bars ceremony to Canada for the first time. She praised the city’s dynamic cocktail culture, stunning natural beauty, and outstanding hospitality scene, saying, “We are thrilled to bring North America’s 50 Best Bars to Canada for the very first time. Hosting the awards in Vancouver, a city renowned for its dynamic cocktail culture, stunning natural beauty, and outstanding hospitality scene, allows us to highlight the city’s exceptional talent and celebrate its innovation on a global stage.”

She went on to say, “We look forward to recognizing the people and places that continue to elevate North America as a true leader in the world of hospitality.”

Expansion Plans: Handshake Speakeasy’s Future

Handshake Speakeasy is expanding its operations, with plans to open a new bar in Mexico City and debut its first international outpost in Amsterdam later this year. This marks an exciting new chapter for the bar, and fans can look forward to seeing more innovative cocktails and exceptional service in the years to come.

Other Bars that Made the Cut

Some other bars that made it into the top 50 include:

* Tlecān (No. 3)

* Licorería Limantour (No. 9)

* Bar Mauro (No. 14)

* Baltra Bar (No. 20)

* Bijou Drinkery Room (No. 34)

* Hanky Panky (No. 35)

* Kaito del Valle (No. 40)

* Café de Nadie (No. 47)

These bars showcase the diversity and creativity of the North America’s 50 Best Bars list, with each one offering a unique experience and exceptional cocktails.

Awards Ceremony Highlights

* Key Takeaways

+ Handshake Speakeasy took the top spot as North America’s Best Bar for the second year in a row. + The bar’s success can be attributed to its innovative approach to cocktail creation and commitment to using regional ingredients. + Canada made its debut as a host city, with several Canadian bars making it into the top 50. * Notable Mentions

+ Botanist scored the 26th spot and The Keefer Bar came in at 28. + Canada continued to represent well, with Toronto’s Bar Pompette (No. 7), Civil Liberties (No. 21), Bar Mordecai (No. 37), and Mother (No. 40) all making it into the top 50. The 2025 North America’s 50 Best Bars ceremony was a resounding success, showcasing the best of the best in Canadian and American bartending. Handshake Speakeasy’s win marked a significant milestone for the bar, solidifying its reputation as one of the world’s top cocktail bars. The event also highlighted the diversity and creativity of the North America’s 50 Best Bars list, with each bar offering a unique experience and exceptional cocktails. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for these talented bartenders and innovative bars.