Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy has been crowned The World’s Best Bar after topping the World's 50 Best Bars list for 2024, the first time a bar from Mexico has claimed the No.1 spot in the list. – Photos: World's 50 Best Bars
Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy has been crowned The World’s Best Bar after topping the World's 50 Best Bars list for 2024, the first time a bar from Mexico has claimed the No.1 spot in the list.
The 16th edition of the list was unveiled last night during a live awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain, and features bars from 28 cities with 16 new entries spread across Bangkok, Bogotá, Guadalajara, Hong Kong, Lima, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, New York, Paris, São Paulo, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Hidden behind a secret door in the Colonia Juárez neighbourhood of Mexico City, Handshake Speakeasy is one of the capital’s best-kept open secrets.
The bar’s interiors masterfully evoke the bygone age of the Hollywood speakeasy, while Bar Director Eric van Beek melds tradition and innovation, elevating the classics through cutting-edge technique developed in the on-site lab, revolutionising familiar recipes with unexpected flavours and a complex palate.
Asian bars also feature prominently on the list. Hong Kong’s Bar Leone followed up its recent success at topping the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 list by debuting on the global edition at No. 2, also taking the award for highest new entry at the same time.
Seoul's Zest broke into the Top 10 at No.9, and also won the Sustainable Bar Award.
Hong Kong's Bar Leone made its debut at No. 2 on the list.
In terms of number of Asian entries, Singapore led the way with four bars (Jigger & Pony at No.5, Atlas at No.43, Nutmeg & Clove at No.28, and Analogue Initiative at No.47.
Besides Bar Leone, another Hong Kong bar also made it on the list – the mezcal-centric Coa at No.18.
Bangkok and Tokyo also claimed two bars a piece, with Bangkok’s BKK Social Club rising to No.12 alongside new entry Bar Us at No.41; while Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich (No.25) is joined by newcomer Virtú (No.42).
In an earlier announcement last week, Kuala Lumpur bar Penrose was listed at No. 98 on the World's 50 Best Bars extended 51-100 list.
