Announcing the best bars in the world for 2024

CNN
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The two-storey bar in Mexico City’s trendy Colonia Juarez neighborhood has been named the best bar in the world. Handshake Speakeasy clinched the title last night in Madrid, where a fantastic awards ceremony was held by the world’s top 50 associations.

It’s a huge achievement for a pub that only opened its doors (downstairs) in 2023. Handshake Speakeasy came third on the list last year.

Another newcomer reached second place. Bar Lion, an Italian-style bar in Hong Kong, which aims to spread the concept of “the people’s cocktail” or “cocktails for the people”, was crowned Best Bar in Asia.

In third place was last year’s No. 1, Barcelona Cebes. The 33-seat cocktail venue may be relatively new — it opened in 2021 and won the World’s Best title two years later — but it benefits from star power behind the scenes. One of the owners spent years working at the acclaimed Spanish restaurant El Bulli, and the other built his CV at the award-winning Artesian bar in London.

The rest of the list brought mixologists and bar owners from points as far away as Athens, Tokyo, Sydney and Lima to the party.

The World’s 50 Best voters are a mix of industry professionals, including bartenders and food and drink writers.

The organization describes its annual list as “a snapshot of the opinions and experiences of 700 legal industry experts around the world,” and says there are no specific criteria judges are asked to take into account other than their personal opinions.

While the new names have reached a few of the top spots, there have also been consistent streaks showing that they still have staying power.

Singaporean restaurant Jigger & Pony has consistently ranked in the top 50 lists since it opened in 2012. The cocktail spot was crowned number one in Asia in 2020, and has managed to survive the pandemic. Meanwhile, drinkers have been lining up at Tokyo’s Benfidic Bar since 2013 to try and order a drink at this small, locally beloved establishment in the trendy Shinjuku district. It landed at number 25 this year.

Good news for travelers: Some of this year’s signature cocktail spots are located in hotels, making them easier to visit. Two of London’s most popular bars are located in hotels: Scarfes Bar is located on the ground floor of the charming Rosewood Hotel, while Connaught Bar is located inside the elegant Mayfair Hotel from which it takes its name.

Mimi Kakushi, the only representative on the list from Dubai, is inside the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel on Jumeirah Road. Named after a classic Japanese hairstyle, it was named the best bar in the Middle East and Africa this year. Meanwhile, Singaporean restaurant Jigger & Pony is located in the city’s minimalist Amara Hotel.

Travelers who want to cross as many award-winning bars off their list as possible may want to head to London or New York City, which each have four bars on the Top 50 list. Buenos Aires and Mexico City each have three bars.

The Bartender Award, given annually to a mixologist by his or her peers, was awarded to Ian McPherson of 30th-placed Panda & Sons in Edinburgh.

McPherson, a Scotland native who also produces a line of boozy ice cream called Senor Scoops, has been praised by fellow bartenders as innovative and humorous in his approach.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for me and ranked me in this position. Thank you to the amazing teams I work with, who are delivering my vision better than ever.

“Congratulations to everyone else on the list. I also know that it’s impossible for everyone to deserve a spot on this list, so keep doing the great things you’re doing!”