In its fourth edition, the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 was announced at a live ceremony in Canada.
The 2025 list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was revealed on April 29 at a live awards ceremony hosted at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
Marking the first time the event was held in Canada, the celebration underscored the region’s growing influence in the global cocktail scene. (Have you checked out these delicious cocktails named after Montreal's favourite neighbourhoods?)
The annual ranking highlights standout bars from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
This year’s list includes 26 U.S. bars, 14 from Mexico, 8 from Canada and 2 from the Caribbean.
What is the best bar in North America?
For the second consecutive year, Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy claimed the top spot as the Best Bar in North America and the Best Bar in Mexico.
Now located inside the NH Hotel in Colonia Juárez, the acclaimed bar continues to deliver a refined and unforgettable cocktail experience.
Under the direction of head bartender Eric Van Beek, Handshake Speakeasy offers a minimalist menu packed with complex, boundary-pushing creations—including draft cocktails and multi-day preparations that elevate flavour and presentation.
Since its 2023 debut, the bar has made a global impact, topping both the 2024 North America’s 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Bars lists.
New York City’s Superbueno took second place, once again earning the title of Best Bar in the Northeast USA.
Coming in at No.3 is Mexico City’s Tlecān.
Where are the best bars in Canada?
Bar Pompette (No.7) from Toronto was named The Best Bar in Canada.
Other bars from Canada include Toronto’s Civil Liberties (No.21), Botanist Bar (No.26) and The Keefer Bar (No.28) from Vancouver as well as Cloakroom and Atwater Cocktail Club from Montreal at No.31 and No.36, respectively.
Toronto’s Mother re-entered this year’s list at No.44.
Toronto’s Civil Works has earned the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award for its innovative and imaginative use of water to elevate and highlight the flavours of featured spirits.
Ranked No. 55 on this year’s extended 51–100 list, the bar was selected by the global Academy Chairs for its standout creativity.
Introduced in 2021, the award honours bars that push the boundaries of cocktail innovation, design, craftsmanship, and storytelling through their menus.
What are North America’s best 50 bars?
For a complete list of all 50 bars, see below:
How does the voting work for North America’s Best Bars?
The ranking for North America’s 50 Best Bars reflects the best bar experiences as voted by members of the Academy—anonymous industry experts from across the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The voting body is composed of over 300 members, evenly split between bartenders and bar owners (33%), drinks writers and educators (33%), and well-travelled cocktail enthusiasts (33%). A 50/50 gender balance is maintained among voters.
This updated structure was introduced to ensure broader representation and to amplify diverse voices across the continent. In line with other 50 Best lists—for restaurants, bars, and hotels—at least 25% of Academy members are rotated each year to maintain fresh perspectives and reflect ongoing industry changes. Importantly, members of the 50 Best organisation do not vote and have no influence over the list’s composition. Bars cannot apply for inclusion, and sponsors hold no sway over the outcome.
The North American Academy is divided into seven regions: USA Northeast, USA Midwest, USA West, USA South, Canada East, Canada West, and Mexico & the Caribbean. Each region is overseen by an Academy Chair who assembles a panel of voters, ensuring a balanced and diverse group. Each Academy member casts up to seven votes: a maximum of five for bars within their home country (or state, in the case of the USA), and up to two for bars outside their home region, all based on experiences from the 18 months preceding the vote.
The North America’s 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Bars rankings are determined through separate voting processes by two distinct Academies, covering different regions and timelines. As a result, each list is compiled independently and features unique rankings.
Voting is conducted individually and securely via a confidential online system. All votes remain private until the official announcement of the list. Academy Chairs are not informed of the votes submitted by their region’s members and do not act as representatives of the 50 Best brand.
Ultimately, the North America’s 50 Best Bars list is the result of a straightforward vote count from over 300 bar industry experts across the continent, each selecting the venues where they’ve had their best experiences over the past year and a half.
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