The whispers are true. Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy has once again claimed the coveted No.1 spot on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025, announced in spectacular fashion at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. Presented by Perrier, the list celebrates the continent’s most visionary bar talent—and Handshake continues to lead the pack.
Tucked inside the sleek NH Hotel in Colonia Juárez, Handshake is not just a bar, it is a cocktail atelier. Under the artistry of head bartender Eric Van Beek, each sip is the result of two-day prep rituals and layered flavour profiles that dance between high technique and minimalist mystique. Think draft-served brilliance, boundary-pushing ingredients, and an experience that defies expectations.
NYC and Mexico City Dominate the Top Three
Not far behind, NYC’s Superbueno held firm at No.2, keeping its crown as Best Bar in Northeast USA. Also from Mexico City, Tlecān took No.3—marking a strong showing for Mexican mixology on the global stage. NYC’s cocktail culture also dazzled with entries like Overstory, Clemente Bar, and Double Chicken Please, continuing to set the bar.
Canada Shows Up Strong with Seven Exceptional Entries
Canada held its own, with Toronto’s Bar Pompette sliding into No.7 and taking home Best Bar in Canada, sponsored by Torres Brandy. This refined French-inspired bar also won the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, celebrating its seamless blend of elegance and service. Toronto’s Civil Liberties came in at No.21, while Mother re-entered the list at No.44 with its ever-evolving menu and creative, boundary-pushing drinks. Vancouver impressed with The Keefer Bar at No.28—renowned for its apothecary-style cocktails and sultry Chinatown setting—alongside Botanist Bar at No.26, a luxe experience that blurs the lines between nature and high-concept mixology. Montreal also shined, landing two entries with Cloakroom at No.31 and Atwater Cocktail Club at No.36, both proving the city’s flair for hidden gems and immersive cocktail storytelling.
Sip with Intention—Support Local Bars and Spirits Makers
As we celebrate the artistry behind North America’s 50 Best Bars, let it also be a reminder to raise a glass to the local legends behind the bar—those who shake, stir, and pour with passion and purpose. From the visionary bartenders crafting your favourite signature sips to the distillers redefining what spirits can be, this community thrives on creativity, connection, and craft. Whether you are booking a flight to experience the continent’s top-ranked cocktail lounges or discovering a hidden gem in your own city, supporting these local bars—and the brilliant minds behind them—keeps the culture alive, one extraordinary drink at a time. Cheers to sipping with intention.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].
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