A bar in Mexico that “evokes the bygone era of the Hollywood speakeasy” has been named the best in the world.
Clandestine handshake in Mexico City is ranked No. 1 in The World’s 50 Best Bars Awards for 2024, the first winner from Mexico, while London retains its crown as European cocktail capital.
The continent has 19 bars on the list and four are in the UK capital – number 4 Tayer + Primary, Bar Connaught at number 13, Satan’s mustaches at number 29 and Bar Scarves at number 37. Elsewhere in the UK, Panda and children in Edinburgh it rises nine places to 30th place.
New York dominates the United States, also with four bars, with Double Chicken Please at number 14, Overhistory one place behind in 15th place, Martini at number 24 and Super good at number 27.
In Australia, the highest ranked bar is Melbourne. Caretaker’s House (No. 21), followed by maybe sammy (16th) in Sydney. Another Melbourne bar – byrdi – places in 35th place.
Handshake Speakeasy (above) in Mexico City takes #1 spot in The World’s 50 Best Bars Awards for 2024 – Mexico’s first winner
In Hong Kong, the new Bar Leone burst onto the list at number 2, taking the title of Best Bar in Asia.
London retains its crown as European cocktail capital – it has four bars on the list, including Tayer + Elementary (above, number 4).
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 highest-ranked bar is Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (above, #21).
Overall winner Clandestine handshakein the Colonia Juárez neighborhood of Mexico City, is ‘one of the best kept open secrets in the capital’, according to a statement from the awards.
He continued: ‘Hidden behind a secret door in a dimly lit room and stocked with an impressive array of aged spirits, the bar has interiors that masterfully evoke the bygone era of the Hollywood speakeasy.
‘While the interior’s atmospheric black marble, rich brass details and ambient lighting seem to step back a century, the innovative cocktail menu is firmly rooted in the future. Bar director Eric van Beek effortlessly combines tradition and innovation, elevating classics through cutting-edge technique developed in the venue’s laboratory, revolutionizing familiar recipes with unexpected flavours.’
Emma Sleight, Head of Content at The 50 best bars in the worldsays: ‘Being Mexico’s first number 1 is an extraordinary achievement, one that Eric van Beek and his team greatly deserve. “The bar’s impressive rise in the World’s 50 Best Bars list over the years is a testament to its unique combination of impeccable 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 around the world voted by an academy of more than 700 experts.
Handshake Speakeasy is joined in the top three by the best-rated bar in Europe and last year’s number one, sipsBarcelona (3rd).
The Perrier-sponsored awards ceremony took place at a live awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain, and features winners from 28 cities around the world voted on by an academy of more than 700 experts.
Panda & Sons in Edinburgh (pictured) rises nine places to 30th place
Handshake Speakeasy is joined in the top three by the best-rated bar in Europe and last year’s number one, Sips in Barcelona (third)
In the photo above appears Salmon Guru, in Madrid, which occupies 23rd place in the general classification.
Among the Spanish bars that are also part of the ranking are paradiseBarcelona, at No. 10 and Salmon GuruMadrid, at number 23.
The most notable watering holes in Greece are Line (6th) and Baba with rum (17th), both in Athens.
In France, the top positions are all in Paris – The Cambridge Public House ranks 19th, followed by new bar (39th) and Danico (49th).
In Italy, four bars are on the list: drink kongRome (33), Location FlorenceFlorence (36th), and two in Milan, Moebius Milano (38), and 1930 (50º).
HimkokOslo (11th), and Röda HusetStockholm (45th), represent the best of the Nordics.
Outside of New York, southern jewelin New Orleans, it is the only other bar in the United States to make the top 50, at No. 34.
In Asia, Singapore takes the lead.
It has four bars on the list, unconditional Jigger and pony (No. 5) and Atlas (No.43), along with new entries nutmeg and cloves (28) and Analogue initiative (47th).
In Hong Kong, new entry lioness bar has burst onto the list at number 2, taking the title of Asia’s Best Bar. The neighbor joins coa at number 18.
The number one bar in Mexico City is joined by Tlecán (above) at number 20 and Licorería Limantour at number 32.
In Asia, Singapore takes the lead. It has four bars on the list, including the stalwart Atlas (No.43), seen here.
Here is the analogue initiative in Singapore. It is ranked as the 47th best bar in the world.
Dubai’s Mimi Kakushi maintains its position at number 40 and is named the best bar in the Middle East and Africa
LEFT: A ‘Mezcal espadín’ cocktail served at the best bar in the world, Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City. RIGHT: A rum daiquiri created by Edinburgh bar Panda & Sons (30)
Bangkok and Tokyo have two bars each, with Bangkok being BKK Social Club rising to 12th place together Ban us in 41st place, while Tokyo Bar Benfiddich (25) joins the newcomer Virtu (42nd). In Seoul, Cheer up take the number 9.
They join the No. 1 bar in Mexico City Tlecan at number 20 and Limantour Liquor Store in 32nd place, while that of Guadalajara The Haughty Rooster is a new entry at number 48.
Three Monkeys in Buenos Aires it takes the crown as Best Bar in South America at number 7, along with two other bars in the Argentine capital making the cut. CoChinChina (22) and Atlantic Florist (46th).
Colombia alchemical in Cartagena it occupies position number 8, with a new entry for Bogotá, Laura’s Roomjoining in position 44.
Representing Peru, Lima lady bee joins the list at an impressive 16th place, while tan tan in Sao Paulo (new entry in 31st place), he flies the Brazilian flag.
Dubai Mimi Kakushi maintains its position at number 40 and is named the best bar in the Middle East and 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 industry. “We hope this year’s list continues to serve as a beacon for cocktail lovers around the world.”
For more visit www.theworlds50best.com.
