This Is the World’s Finest Bar for 2024

Spirits have been excessive, and historical past was made, in Madrid right now. 1000’s of the world’s most illustrious mixologists and cocktail fanatics descended upon Spain’s capital as The World’s 50 Finest Bars checklist for 2024 was revealed throughout a riveting reside ceremony.

Now in its sixteenth 12 months, the distinguished annual rating honors excellence throughout the worldwide beverage business, with an Academy of 700 consultants — together with esteemed mixologists, bar house owners, and drinks writers — casting their nameless votes primarily based on the most effective, and most constant, general experiences from the previous 18 months.

After happening in Singapore final 12 months, 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 one of the vital important and influential nations within the international cocktail group, making Madrid a becoming selection for the awards.

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

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

So, which tremendous institution took high honors this 12 months? Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico Metropolis earned the coveted title of World’s Finest 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 checklist of North America’s greatest bars.

“Profitable is a dream come true. Nothing is unattainable, in the event you focus and actually work at it,” mentioned co-founder Rodrigo Urraca in an interview with Journey + Leisure. “I’m tremendous pleased and pleased with the whole workforce. We actually are like a household, and we’re past thrilled to symbolize 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 workforce use molecular mixology to craft excellent libations which might be much more complicated than meet the attention, with sudden layers of taste and a give attention to regional substances.

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

So, what’s subsequent for the Handshake crew? The workforce continues to innovate, setting their sights on opening a 3rd area at Handshake — adjoining to their ground-level ground — later within the 12 months. 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 exceptional achievement went to Hong Kong’s Bar Leone. The Italian-style newcomer that champions “cocktail popolari” (that means “cocktails for the individuals”) clinched second place after being topped the most effective bar in Asia for 2024 solely a 12 months after opening, a historic accomplishment because the first-ever venue to debut on the checklist as No.1.

As lately, New York Metropolis is well-represented on the checklist with the Decrease East Facet’s Double Rooster 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 checklist: 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 symbolize with two bars within the high 10: Sips (No. 3), final 12 months’s winner, and Paradiso (No. 10), topped the highest bar in 2022. 

Extra accolades have been offered to a number of standout people and institutions for elevating the bar (pun meant) inside the worldwide cocktail scene.

Iain McPherson of Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons (No. 30) gained Altos Bartenders’ Bartender — the one peer-voted award within the 50 Finest program — for being a “prolific Scottish cocktail innovator,” “a champion of hospitality,” and a “massively 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 total checklist right here.