This Is the World’s Greatest Bar for 2024

Spirits have been excessive, and historical past was made, in Madrid right this moment. Hundreds of the world’s most illustrious mixologists and cocktail fanatics descended upon Spain’s capital as The World’s 50 Greatest Bars record for 2024 was revealed throughout a riveting stay ceremony.

Now in its sixteenth yr, the celebrated annual rating honors excellence throughout the worldwide beverage trade, with an Academy of 700 specialists — together with esteemed mixologists, bar house owners, and drinks writers — casting their nameless votes primarily based on one of the best, and most constant, total experiences from the previous 18 months.

After going down in Singapore final yr, the extremely anticipated awards returned to Europe, the place they’d beforehand been held yearly. With Barcelona claiming the highest spot for the previous two years and the 2022 version hosted within the Catalan capital, Spain continues its reign as some of the vital and influential nations within the world cocktail group, making Madrid a becoming alternative for the awards.

“Madrid is iconic. Each bar right here tells a narrative, and gives a singular chapter within the metropolis’s narrative,” stated Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director at The World’s 50 Greatest. “From the basic tapas bars to the temples of mixology, Madrid actually is an ideal mix of custom and modernity.”

He added, “50 Greatest Bars creates a incredible alternative to convey an unbelievable group of bar house owners, bartenders, the media, and drinks lovers collectively from world wide. This occasion additionally serves to showcase what an distinctive metropolis Madrid is — an excellent place to eat, drink, and, after all, have a good time.” 4 days of cocktail-fueled festivities and collaborative bar takeovers culminated within the spectacular stay awards ceremony at Madrid Area, hosted by Perrier.

So, which high-quality institution took prime honors this yr? Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico Metropolis earned the coveted title of World’s Greatest Bar, making historical past as the primary watering gap exterior of New York Metropolis or Europe to be awarded the No. 1 spot. And just some months prior, the hip venue in Colonia Juárez additionally topped the record of North America’s finest bars.

“Successful is a dream come true. Nothing is unimaginable, should you focus and actually work at it,” stated co-founder Rodrigo Urraca in an interview with Journey + Leisure. “I’m tremendous comfortable and happy with your entire crew. We actually are like a household, and we’re past thrilled to characterize Mexico.” 

Although the dimly lit, two-story area could channel the Prohibition period in its decor, the cocktails are nothing however superior. Bar director Eric Van Beek and crew use molecular mixology to craft excellent libations which might be way more advanced than meet the attention, with surprising layers of taste and a give attention to regional elements.

For these visiting the Mexican speakeasy for the primary time, van Beek enthusiastically recommended “ordering the piña colada or fig martini.” Each crushable drinks ship splashes of surprising aromas and flavors, giving a contemporary twist to the basic cocktails.

So, what’s subsequent for the Handshake crew? The crew continues to innovate, setting their sights on opening a 3rd area at Handshake — adjoining to their ground-level ground — later within the yr. Moreover, plans to increase exterior of Mexico are on the horizon. “We’re excited to open a spot known as Shakerato (named after the favored iced Italian espresso drink) in Amsterdam someday round subsequent March,” shared van Beek.

One other outstanding achievement went to Hong Kong’s Bar Leone. The Italian-style newcomer that champions “cocktail popolari” (which means “cocktails for the folks”) clinched second place after being topped one of the best bar in Asia for 2024 solely a yr after opening, a historic accomplishment because the first-ever venue to debut on the record as No.1.

As in recent times, New York Metropolis is well-represented on the record with the Decrease East Facet’s Double Hen Please at No. 14, the Monetary District’s Overstory coming in at No. 15, Martiny’s in Gramercy taking twenty fourth place, and Superbueno touchdown at twenty seventh.

Each London and Singapore tied New York with a powerful 4 bars every on the record: Tayēr + Elementary (No. 4), Connaught Bar (No. 13), Devil’s Whiskers (No. 29), and Scarfes Bar (No. 37) for London; Jigger & Pony (No. 5), Nutmeg & Clove (No. 28), Atlas (No. 43), and Analogue Initiative (No. 47) for Singapore.

Within the host metropolis, funky native favourite Salmon Guru scored the twenty third spot, whereas Spain continued to characterize with two bars within the prime 10: Sips (No. 3), final yr’s winner, and Paradiso (No. 10), topped the highest bar in 2022. 

Further accolades have been introduced to a number of standout people and institutions for elevating the bar (pun supposed) inside the worldwide cocktail scene.

Iain McPherson of Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons (No. 30) received Altos Bartenders’ Bartender — the one peer-voted award within the 50 Greatest program — for being a “prolific Scottish cocktail innovator,” “a champion of hospitality,” and a “vastly revered determine within the bar universe.” And Melbourne’s cozy neighborhood bar, Caretaker’s Cottage (No. 21), earned the Michter’s Artwork of Hospitality Award for efficiently mixing the conviviality of your favourite pub with excellent drinks.

Cheers to all of the 2024 winners. See the complete record right here.