The world’s top bar luminaries gathered in the Spanish capital to celebrate the bar industry, culminating in an awards ceremony at the Madrid Arena on October 22, where the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 rankings were revealed.
Chosen by 700 experts from around the globe—comprised of connoisseurs, world-class bartenders, educators, award-winning journalists, and cocktail specialists—this 16th edition features bars from 28 cities, including 16 new entries.
This year, Handshake Speakeasy from Mexico City claimed the top spot, the first bar from Mexico to take the highest position. Handshake Speakeasy (#1 in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and #3 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) is a tucked-away gem in Colonia Juárez. This bar artfully combines tradition with innovation, offering classic cocktails and unique signature twists crafted with cutting-edge techniques from its on-site lab. In second place on the list is Bar Leone from Hong Kong, the recipient of Asia’s 2024 50 Best Bar award and the highest climber of this year’s ceremony. Following closely is Barcelona’s Sips, which has slipped from the top spot it held last year. Rounding out the top five are London’s Tayēr + Elementary at number four and Singapore’s Jigger & Pony at number five.
Other awards presented during the ceremony included the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, which Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage received, and the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, awarded to Iain McPherson in the weeks leading up to the event. Monica Berg received the Roku Industry Icon award, while Singapore’s Cat Bite Club was honored with the Campari One To Watch Award. The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award went to Zest in Seoul. The Cambridge Public House in Paris secured the Nikka Highest Climber Award, rising 19 places to #19. Buenos Aires’ Florería Atlántico was named the Rémy Martin Legend of The List. Superbueno in New York won the London Essence Best New Opening Award. Calliope Draper of Partake in Edmonton is the recipient of the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship. Lyaness in London took home the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award, and the Bareksten Best Bar Design Award was won by Himkok in Oslo.
See the full list below:
Want to see highlights of the ceremony? Relive the action via The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV channel on YouTube.
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