Vancouver shines at North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 Awards

Hosting the awards for the first time, Vancouver brought its A-game for the glittering celebration of North America’s finest cocktail culture. North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 was announced live on April 29 at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, affirming what locals have long known: Canada is no longer a footnote in the world of mixology—it’s a destination.

However, the night’s biggest cheer went south to Handshake Speakeasy of Mexico City, which claimed the No.1 spot for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its status as the Best Bar in North America and the Best Bar in Mexico. Hidden behind an unmarked door in Colonia Juárez, Handshake’s refined Art Deco interior and flawless hospitality have become a beacon for cocktail connoisseurs globally.

A Diverse and Evolving Map

The 2025 edition of the 50 Best Bars in North America reflects the ever-expanding cocktail scene across the continent. The U.S. leads with 26 bars, 14 from Mexico, eight from Canada, and two from the Caribbean.

Best Bars in Canada

While Toronto’s Bar Pompette (No.7) took the crown as Canada’s best, all eyes were on Vancouver for more than just playing host. It’s Vancouver’s time to shine as two of the city’s most celebrated bars made the 2025 list: the sophisticated Botanist Bar at Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (No. 26) and the atmospheric Chinatown staple, The Keefer Bar (No. 28). Both spots have long exemplified Vancouver’s love of botanicals, precision, and globally influenced creativity. These bars reflect Vancouver’s growing reputation as a place where cocktails are crafted with the same care as fine dining.

One of the standout Canadian stories of the night was Civil Works in Toronto, which took home the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. It’s a well-deserved nod for a bar doing things differently—thoughtful, creative, and deeply rooted in a sense of place. Canada’s showing this year wasn’t just strong—it felt like a turning point. From coast to coast, bartenders are telling regional stories through their menus, and that quiet confidence is starting to turn heads far beyond the country’s borders.

Mexico’s Bold Rise

Mexico’s impressive presence on this year’s list is impossible to ignore. With 14 bars showcased, it demonstrates that this country’s cocktail culture isn’t just thriving; it’s evolving and growing. Mexico City is at the heart of it, where artistry, hospitality, and deep-rooted tradition intersect. Whether slipping into a sleek speakeasy like Handshake Speakeasy or sipping agave-forward creations at the legendary Licorería Limantour, there’s a distinctive pulse to the city’s bar scene that’s as soulful as it is sophisticated. This city doesn’t follow global cocktail trends, it creates them.

The Top 50 Bars in North America for 2025

1. Handshake Speakeasy – Mexico City, Mexico1 Handshake Speakeasy – Mexico City
2. Superbueno – New York
3. Tlecān – Mexico City
4. Jewel of the South – New Orleans
5. Sip & Guzzle – New York
6. Overstory – New York
7. Bar Pompette – Toronto
8. El Gallo Altanero – Guadalajara
9. Licorería Limantour – Mexico City
10. Kumiko – Chicago
11. Clemente Bar – New York
12. Mírate – Los Angeles
13. Café La Trova – Miami
14. Bar Mauro – Mexico City
15. Martiny’s – New York
16. Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco
17. True Laurel – San Francisco
18. Employees Only – New York
19. Double Chicken Please – New York
20. Baltra Bar – Mexico City
21. Civil Liberties – Toronto
22. Aruba Day Drink – Tijuana
23. Service Bar – Washington DC
24. Thunderbolt – Los Angeles
25. Best Intentions – Chicago
26. Botanist Bar – Vancouver
27. Arca – Tulum
28. The Keefer Bar – Vancouver
29. Selva – Oaxaca
30. Library by the Sea – Grand Cayman
31. Cloakroom – Montreal
32. La Factoría – San Juan
33. Maison Premiere – New York
34. Bijou Drinkery Room – Mexico City
35. Hanky Panky – Mexico City
36. Atwater Cocktail Club – Montreal
37. Bar Mordecai – Toronto
38. Meadowlark – Chicago
39. Bisous – Chicago
40. Kaito del Valle – Mexico City
41. Yacht Club – Denver
42. Katana Kitten – New York
43. Angel’s Share – New York
44. Mother – Toronto
45. Allegory – Washington DC
46. Dante – New York
47. Café de Nadie – Mexico City
48. Silver Lyan – Washington DC
49. Bekeb – San Miguel de Allende
50. Cure – New Orleans

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Inside the North America’s Best Bar: Handshake Speakeasy

For the second year in a row, Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City has been named the best bar in North America. But if you ask the team behind it, the secret isn’t just in the cocktails—it’s in how they work together.

Tucked away behind a discreet entrance in Colonia Juárez, the bar is known for its polished service and striking design, but its mix of influences makes it stand out. The team draws on everything from Japanese precision to Northern European simplicity, layering those ideas over an unmistakably Mexican foundation.

They keep things local where it counts—ingredients, spirits, and even techniques—but their sights are set globally. With new locations in the works for Los Cabos, Amsterdam, and Peru, Handshake expands thoughtfully without losing what makes the original so special.

There’s also a clear emphasis on the long game. The bar has built its success on sustainability, not just in its drinks but also in its culture. Staff have opportunities for ownership, and hospitality is treated like a craft, not a commodity. Handshake is focused on building something that lasts.

Meet the Bartenders

Top left to right:

• Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, Kevin Diedrich (Co-Founder)
• Library by the Sea – Grand Cayman, Achille Moga (Supervisor)
• Chris Hannah (Bartender and Co-Owner), Jewel of the South – New Orleans

Bottom left to right:

• The Keefer Bar – Vancouver, Amber Bruce (Beverage Director), Hugo Finan (Lead Bartender) and Keenan Hood (General Manager and Partner)
• Kaito del Valle – Mexico City, Claudia Cabrera (Co-Founder and Bar Manager)
• Library by the Sea – Grand Cayman, Max Wolff (Head Bartender)

The Jewel of the South – New Orleans

Tucked inside a 19th-century Creole cottage in New Orleans’ French Quarter, Jewel of the South (No. 4) is a Southern hospitality and cocktail heritage masterclass. At the helm is Chris Hannah, one of the region’s most respected bartenders, who keeps history alive with drinks like the Brandy Crusta—cognac, triple sec, maraschino, and lemon served with elegance and precision. The bar has been named Best in the South USA for the third year, and it’s easy to see why. Every detail—from the glassware to the garden setting—feels considered, welcoming, and entirely New Orleans.

Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco

At Pacific Cocktail Haven (No. 16), or PCH as it’s known to regulars, Kevin Diedrich has built more than just a great bar—he’s built a community. Tucked into a low-lit space off Union Square, PCH is where bold flavours meet laid-back hospitality. Diedrich’s menu constantly evolves, pulling from his Asian-American heritage and deep knowledge of spirits to create unexpected and incredibly balanced drinks. Think sesame-washed whiskey, yuzu, and Thai basil—flavours that reflect the cultural mix of San Francisco itself. But what defines PCH is the warm, welcoming, and unpretentious vibe. It’s the kind of place where first-timers quickly become regulars, and where hospitality isn’t a performance, it’s the real deal.

Library by the Sea – Grand Cayman

Set along the shores of Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, Library by the Sea (No. 30) isn’t your typical cocktail bar. Equal parts library and lounge invites guests to settle in, flip through stories, and sip on cocktails inspired by literary greats. Think of a Hemingway Daiquiri made with 1930s-style Bacardi or other drinks that read like chapters from a well-loved novel.

The menu, illustrated by artist Dan Collins in collaboration with a local tattoo artist, feels more like a beautifully bound book than a drinks list. Each page tells a story—not just through the words, but through the flavours and presentation of the cocktails themselves.

Head bartender Max Wolff stresses that what makes this bar truly special is the care that goes into every detail. The team doesn’t just mix drinks—they build stories, drawing inspiration from local culture, personal memories, and the people around them. Ingredients are chosen with intention, and collaborations with nearby artisans and vendors give the menu a sense of place. For them, it’s not about chasing accolades but creating moments that stick with you long after the glass is empty.

Kaito del Valle – Mexico City

After nine successful years, Kaito del Valle, Mexico City (No. 40) is expanding their concept to a larger space in a new neighbourhood. Claudia Cabrera, co-founder and bar manager, explains that what started as an intimate venue offering a creative fusion of Japanese and Mexican flavours has become even more exciting. The new location will include a sushi bar, karaoke room, and more room for guests to gather. Sake-based cocktails—one of the bar’s signature offerings—will continue to shine on the menu, blending traditional Japanese elements with bold Mexican twists.

What hasn’t changed is the bar’s commitment to inclusivity. They’re creating a space where everyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community, feels welcome. The new location aims to be both accessible and affordable, with an approachable yet imaginative drink menu. And while the space might be bigger, the bar’s heart remains rooted in its people.

The Keefer Bar – Vancouver

At Keefer Bar in Vancouver’s Chinatown (No. 28), creativity drives everything behind the bar. Seasonal menus are built through a deeply collaborative process, where wild ideas are tested, refined, and sometimes pushed further than anyone expected … like using tofu for cocktail clarification, an unexpected technique that adds clarity and texture. Mini cocktails have started to trend, allowing guests to sample more without the commitment of a full pour. Across the city, the cocktail scene has grown beyond the classics, shaped by ongoing education and diverse influences.

How the List Comes Together

The North America’s 50 Best Bars ranking isn’t decided by numbers alone—it’s shaped by experience. The list is compiled based on the votes of over 300 industry experts from across the continent, including bartenders, bar owners, drinks writers, and cocktail specialists. Each voter chooses the seven bars where they’ve had their most memorable experiences over the past 18 months. There’s no strict checklist—what matters most is the overall impression: drinks, atmosphere, service, and that hard-to-define magic that makes a bar worth returning to.

It’s an anonymous voting process without sponsor influence. The result is less about rigid scoring and more about storytelling—highlighting the bars pushing boundaries, shaping the culture and providing memorable experiences for a great night out in North America.

Scenes from the 50 Best Bars of North America Gala:

Shaking it up at North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 Awards. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Shaking it up at North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 Awards. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Shaking it up at North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 Awards. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

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