The third edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars saw the continent’s cocktail community reunite for a three-day programme of festivities in Mexico, culminating in a live awards ceremony at Rosewood San Miguel de Allende. Catch up on the key moments from this year’s events below
From 22nd-24th April, the leading lights of the North American cocktail world assembled in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, for a sun-soaked itinerary as part of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024, sponsored by Perrier. From top-five debuts to tearful celebrations on stage, here’s the lowdown from this year’s series of celebrations.
1. Bartenders, assemble!
The team behind high-flying Overstory soaked up the atmosphere of the Bartenders' Feast
It all kicked off with the Bartenders’ Feast, hosted again at Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende, where the teams behind the soon-to-be-listed bars had a chance to reunite over delicious cocktails and canapés. The creative drinks menu for the evening came courtesy of a host of international guest bartenders, including Ewan Bennie from Youngblood (No.49 in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023), Marcio Silva from the soon-to-open Exímia in Sao Paulo and renowned mixologist Kate Gerwin from Albuquerque bar Happy Accidents. Cocktails ranged from Gerwin’s refreshing Say Less (Roku Gin, white peach and jasmine soda with eucalyptus) to Bennie’s savoury Appetiser 2 (Bareksten Aquavit, Mancino Vermouth Bianco, Scrappy’s Celery Bitters, cucumber and London Essence Original Indian Tonic).
2. All eyes on the red carpet
As the day of the awards ceremony arrived, bar teams from across North America stepped onto the red carpet
As the day of the awards ceremony came along, bar teams from across North America arrived on the red carpet. Each team was presented with signature bespoke 50 Best red scarves, courtesy of Matusalem, and personally engraved cocktail shakers, provided by Amaro Lucano and Mancino Vermouth.
3. Tears and cheers from Team Canada
Emotions ran high for Altos Bartenders' Bartender winner Kate Boushel (centre)
Before the official countdown from No.50 to No.1 began, speculation grew as to which bar would receive this year’s Campari One To Watch Award. There were cheers all round as Simpl Things from Toronto was named the winner, much to the surprise of its owner, Evelyn Chick. The dual-concept neo-Chinese-Italian bar and eatery has been one of Toronto’s hottest seats since opening in late 2022, and Canada’s close-knit community was on hand to celebrate the bar’s new accolade.
Emotions ran equally high when it came time for Montreal’s Kate Boushel to accept the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. With tears of joy, an overwhelmed Boushel took to the stage to the soundtrack of the entire room chanting her name.
In the crowd beside Boushel and Chick, the team behind Civil Liberties was also overjoyed to add another trophy to the back bar as it was named The Best Bar in Canada, sponsored by Naked Malt.
4. Timeless Southern hospitality delivers
Jewel of the South co-owner Chris Hannah (centre) celebrated his bar's double award win
From New Orleans, Louisiana, the Jewel of the South team had its signature southern charm and thoughtful service recognised through the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2024. As if winning this prestigious award wasn’t enough, the team was delighted to make a return visit to the stage for a second trophy as the bar retained its title as The Best Bar in South USA, sponsored by Tia Maria.
5. Chicago strikes
Meadowlark's Chicago-themed drinks list earned it the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award
Forget Windy City, it was more winning city this year for Chicago, with three bars taking home special awards. Celebrations for new entry Meadowlark were doubled after the bar made its debut onto the list at No.32 and was awarded the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2024 for its Chicago World’s Fair-inspired drinks list, entitled The Magic City.
2024 also marked the introduction of the Bareksten Best Bar Design Award to North America following its successful first outing as part of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 programme. Across town from Meadowlark, Avondale Bowl – a renovated, vintage bowling alley that now also houses a serious bar – was named the victor.
The third accolade for a Chicago drinkery went to Japanese-influenced Kumiko. Led by Julia Momosé, the bar’s sophisticated elegance and serious attention to detail saw it land at No.19 and take home the title of The Best Bar in Midwest USA, sponsored by Torres Brandy
6. A taste of Caribbean paradise
Library by the Sea became the first bar from the Cayman Islands to feature in the ranking
The small but mighty Caribbean made a big impression on the night. The team behind San Juan institution La Factoría made the short hop to the North American mainland and jumped for joy as it retained title of The Best Bar in the Caribbean, sponsored by Amaro Lucano. On the Cayman Islands, the fairytale continued as Library by the Sea made its debut at No.35, winning the London Essence Best New Opening Award in the process thanks to its literary-themed menu that has garnered the attention of cocktail lovers across the continent.
7. California dreaming
Mike Capoferri and Rahul Marwah proudly accepted Thunderbolt's award on stage
Four bars from the Golden State appeared on this year’s list, including new entries Mírate in Los Angeles and True Laurel in San Francisco. True Laurel had further reason to celebrate as its transformative ‘trash smash’ cocktails, which use what would otherwise be waste ingredients, secured the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. Also from San Francisco, Kevin Diedrich and the team from Pacific Cocktail Haven were happy to see their bar land at the No.38 spot. Back in LA, the Thunderbolt team retained the title of The Best Bar in West USA, sponsored by Rémy Martin.
8. A fairytale of New York
Superbueno's stellar debut at the No.2 position earned the bar two special awards
Twelve bars from the Big Apple travelled to San Miguel de Allende, but none made as much noise as new-kid-on-the-block Superbueno. At only one year old, the Mexican-American sensation stormed onto the list in the No.2 position, earning itself both the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award and the title of The Best Bar in Northeast USA. While the bar’s general manager Sthefany Gomez jubilantly accepted the double win, the wider Superbueno team proudly watched on at a viewing party held at the bar’s East Village premises, with the bar’s figurehead Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Jimenez celebrating with sparklers akimbo.
Located a short walk up 3rd Avenue from Superbueno, Martiny’s continued its meteoric rise after its debut in 2023, jumping a staggering 25 positions in 2024 to No.4, earning it the Nikka Highest Climber Award. The bar’s mastermind, Takuma Watanabe, was equally overjoyed to celebrate at the ceremony alongside his alma mater – the legendary Angel’s Share – which made its debut on the list at No.43 following its forced closure in 2022 and subsequent revival just under two years’ later.
9. Mexico makes history
Handshake Speakeasy co-founder Rodrigo Urraca (left) made sure to pose with his mojiganga figure
As the countdown reached the final two positions, the atmosphere was electric. History was in the making as, for the first time, a Mexican bar was about to take the top spot. After two years at the No.2 position, applause exploded as the announcement was made: Handshake Speakeasy was named The Best Bar in North America 2024, sponsored by Perrier. Its co-founders Rodrigo Urraca, Eric Van Beek and Marcos Di Battista took to the stage with their euphoric team in tow. “We waited for two years for this for this moment. It finally happened!” Di Battista gleefully said in the moments following the bar’s coronation.
Beyond the walls of the victorious but covert drinking den, Mexico City had even more moments in the limelight, with four of the top 10 bars coming from the Mexican capital including new entry Tlecān, whose strong debut at No.10 saw widespread jubilation from the bar’s fellow compatriots. Celebrations continued when the enigmatic leader behind Kaito del Valle (No.28), Claudia Cabrera, was named the winner of the Roku Industry Icon Award.
10. Sundowners in San Miguel
Marc Álvarez from Sips, The World's Best Bar 2023, served up some much-needed Bloody Marias
After its successful debut in 2023, the 50 Best Closing Party returned to Hotel Amatte for an afternoon feast of tacos, canapés and more cocktails. To close the final chapter of this year’s events, Ewan Bennie and Marcio Silva were joined behind the stick by Marc Álvarez from The World’s Best Bar 2023, Sips in Barcelona. Álvarez’s Bloody Maria – his spin on the Bloody Mary lined with a coffee and sugar rim – was embraced with open arms by bartenders in need of a pick-me-up after celebration.
See you next year!.jpg)
North America's 50 Best Bars will return in 2025 with a new ranking
The events of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024 reunited the cocktail community over three days of celebration and seriously good cocktails. In 2025, it will return in a new location with a refreshed ranking of bars deemed the finest in the continent. Until then, stay tuned to the 50 Best Bars channels for upcoming announcements and news.
Now rewatch the highlights in video form:
The list of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024, was announced at a live awards ceremony on Tuesday 23rd April from San Miguel de Allende. To stay up to date with the latest news, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube, and sign up to our newsletter
