Hospitality industry awards

Double Chicken Please cocktail bar interior
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The 50 Best Bars in North America

The 50 Best Bars in North America in 2023

by David Klemt

Double Chicken Please cocktail bar interior

Double Chicken Please in New York City is number one on this year’s list.

The buildup toward this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars is growing with the recent announcement of North America’s 50 Best Bars.

Mexico City, the 2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars host city, is home to several of this year’s rankings. A true cocktail destination loaded with extraordinary bars, Mexico City boasts eight entries. Overall, 14 of the 50 bars on the 2023 list are in Mexico.

Of course, New York City also claims an impressive number of bars earning spots on the list. In fact, NYC boasts 12 of the 50 best bars in North America. More than half of the bars—28—are in the US.

Not that anyone asked, two of the bars on the 2023 list are in the city where I was born, Chicago: Kumiko and Milk Room. And I’m going to give a special nod to Herbs & Rye, number 27 and located in my hometown of Las Vegas (and the US headquarters of KRG Hospitality).

Herbs & Rye cocktail bar and restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada

Of the 50 best bars in North America, Canada is home to seven. Four of these are in Toronto (where KRG Hospitality’s global headquarters are located), two are in Montreal, and one is in Vancouver.

Just one bar in the Caribbean makes the 2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars list. But what a bar: La Factoría is number 24.

Below you’ll find this year’s rankings; destination awards; and individual awards. Speaking of, congratulations to Julio Cabrera and Christine Wiseman! You’ll see why as you scroll. To review last year’s list, please click here.

Congratulations to all the bars and their bar teams representing the best of North America in 2023!

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars Destination Award Winners

The Best Bar in Northeast USA, sponsored by Perrier

Double Chicken Please (No. 1; New York City, New York)

The Best Bar in South USA, sponsored by Torres Brandy

Jewel of the South (No. 5; New Orleans, Louisiana)

The Best Bar in the Midwest USA, sponsored by Rémy Martin

Kumiko (No. 8; Chicago, Illinois)

The Best Bar in the West USA, sponsored by Naked Malt

Thunderbolt (No. 10; Los Angeles, California)

The Best Bar in the Caribbean, sponsored by Scrappy’s Bitters

La Factoría (No. 24; San Juan, Puerto Rico)

The Best Bar in Canada, sponsored by Tia Maria

Civil Liberties (No. 12; Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

The Best Bar in Mexico, sponsored by Bareksten

Handshake Speakeasy (No. 2; Mexico City, Mexico)

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars

  1. Milady’s (New York City, New York)
  2. Youngblood (San Diego, California)
  3. Platform 18 (Phoenix, Arizona)
  4. Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
  5. Clover Club (New York City, New York)
  6. Allegory (Washington, DC)
  7. The Dead Rabbit (New York City, New York)
  8. Bar Mordecai (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  9. Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)
  10. Bar Leather Apron (Honolulu, Hawaii)
  11. Aruba Day Drink (Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico)
  12. Maison Premiere (New York City, New York)
  13. Milk Room (Chicago, Illinois)
  14. Mother (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  15. Cure (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  16. Cloakroom (Montreal, Québec, Canada)
  17. Sweet Liberty (Miami, Florida)
  18. Service Bar (Washington, DC)
  19. Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal, Québec, Canada)
  20. Selva (Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico)
  21. Death & Co. (Los Angeles, California)
  22. Martiny’s (New York City, New York)
  23. Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)
  24. Herbs & Rye (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  25. Kaito del Valle (Mexico City, Mexico)
  26. Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
  27. La Factoría (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
  28. Arca (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  29. Sabina Sabe (Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico)
  30. El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
  31. Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
  32. Botanist Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
  33. Mace (New York City, New York)
  34. Rayo (Mexico City, Mexico)
  35. Baltra Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
  36. Bar Pompette (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  37. Employees Only (New York City, New York)
  38. Attaboy (New York City, New York)
  39. Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  40. Zapote Bar (Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  41. Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California)
  42. Café La Trova (Miami, Florida)
  43. Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois)
  44. Overstory (New York City, New York)
  45. Dante (New York City, New York)
  46. Jewel of the South (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  47. Licorería Limantour (Mexico City, Mexico)
  48. Katana Kitten (New York City, New York)
  49. Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  50. Double Chicken Please (New York City, New York)

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars Individual Awards

Roku Industry Icon Award 2023

Julio Cabrera (No. 9; Café La Trova; Miami, Florida)

Altos Bartender’s Bartender Award 2023

Christine Wiseman (Bar Lab Hospitality)

Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2023

Botanist Bar (No. 19; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2023

Allegory (No. 45; Washington, DC)

Disarronno Highest New Entry Award 2023

Bar Pompette (No. 15; Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Nikka Highest Climber Award 2023

Overstory (No. 7; New York City, New York)

Campari One to Watch Award 2023

Manhatta (New York City, New York)

London Essence Best New Opening Award 2023

Rayo (No. 17; Mexico City, Mexico)

Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2023

Yacht Club (No. 42; Denver, Colorado)

Double Chicken Please image: Emmanuel Rosario / Hanna Lee Communications. Herbs & Rye image courtesy of Hanna Lee Communications.

KRG Hospitality. Bar Consultant. Nightclub. Lounge. Mixology. Cocktails.

Neon sign in red that reads "Cocktails"
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

TOTCF Names 2023 Spirited Award Honorees

TOTCF Names 2023 Spirited Award Honorees

by David Klemt

Neon sign in red that reads "Cocktails"

The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has announced the 17th annual Spirited Awards honorees, organized into several regions.

Unless otherwise noted, each award category recognizes ten honorees. Categories include best cocktail bar, best restaurant bar, best hotel bar, best new bar, and best bar team.

Additionally, I have to say that I’m impressed by how the TOTCF further recognized several global regions. There’s the United States, of course, separated into three regions of its own. Then there’s Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Middle East and Africa.

I’m focusing on three specific regions for this article: the US, Canada, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This decision comes from that fact those are KRG Hospitality’s three main areas of operation. But don’t worry, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East and Africa: we’re coming for you, too.

To review the list in its entirety, please click here.

Unsurprisingly, Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas (our US headquarters), Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington, DC are well represented. However, it’s refreshing to see other markets recognized, such as Portland, Maine, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Montreal, Toronto (our Canadian headquarters), Vancouver do Canada proud, of course.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees! Cheers!

Best US Cocktail Bar: US Central

  • Bordel (Chicago, Illinois)
  • DrinkWell (Austin, Texas)
  • Estereo (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Julep (Houston, Texas)
  • Kiesling (Detroit, Michigan)
  • Manolito (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Nickel City (Austin, Texas)
  • Sparrow (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Sportsman’s Club (Chicago, Illinois)
  • The Roosevelt Room (Austin, Texas)

Best US Cocktail Bar: US East

  • Bar Goto (New York, New York)
  • barmini by José Andrés (Washington, DC)
  • Dear Irving Gramercy (New York, New York)
  • Double Chicken Please (New York, New York)
  • Old Glory (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Overstory (New York, New York)
  • Pearl Diver (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Portland Hunt + Alpine Club (Portland, Maine)
  • Serenata (Washington, DC)
  • Service Bar (Washington, DC)
  • Sunken Harbor Club (Brooklyn, New York)

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar: US West

  • Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Century Grand (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Foreign National (Seattle, Washington)
  • Navy Strength (Seattle, Washington)
  • Raised by Wolves (San Diego, California)
  • Rum Club (Portland, Oregon)
  • Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California)
  • Trick Dog (San Francisco, California)
  • True Laurel (San Francisco, California)
  • Wildhawk (San Francisco, California)
  • Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US Central

  • Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Bakery Bar (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Grey Ghost (Detroit, Michigan)
  • Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Lengua Madre (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Maple and Ash (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Margot’s (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Mister Mao (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Monteverde (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Spoon and Stable (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
  • The Hope Farm (Fairhope, Alabama)
  • The Lounge at MARCH (Houston, Texas)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US East

  • Blossom Bar (Brookline, Massachusetts)
  • Bresca (Washington, DC)
  • Café La Trova (Miami, Florida)
  • COTE Korean Steakhouse (New York, New York)
  • Crown Shy (New York, New York)
  • Gramercy Tavern (New York, New York)
  • Jaguar Sun (Miami, Florida)
  • Macchialina (Miami, Florida)
  • Manhatta (New York, New York)
  • The Grey (Savannah, Georgia)

Best US Restaurant Bar: US West

  • Accomplice Bar (Los Angeles, California)
  • Bar Agricole (San Francisco, California)
  • Bicyclette (Los Angeles, California)
  • Cleaver: Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • L’Oursin (Seattle, Washington)
  • Lolo (San Francisco, California)
  • Palomar (Portland, Oregon)
  • Redbird (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Valentine (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Viridian (Oakland, California)

Best US Hotel Bar: US Central

  • Bar Marilou at the Maison de la Luz (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Catbird at the Thompson Hotel (Dallas, Texas)
  • Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Hot Tin at the Pontchartrain Hotel (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Lazy Bird at The Hoxton (Chicago, Illinois)
  • loa at the International House (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Midnight Rambler at The Joule (Dallas, Texas)
  • The Bar at Hotel Zachary (Chicago, Illinois)
  • The Elysian Bar at the Hotel Peter and Paul (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Vol. 39 at The Kimpton Gray Hotel (Chicago, Illinois)

Best US Hotel Bar: US East

  • Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)
  • Champagne Bar at The Surf Club Miami (Miami, Florida)
  • Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel (New York, New York)
  • El Quijote at Hotel Chelsea (New York, New York)
  • Minibar at The Meridian Hotel (Miami, Florida)
  • Orilla Bar & Grill at the Urbanica the Euclid Hotel (Miami Beach, Florida)
  • Panorama Room at Graduate Hotel Roosevelt Island (New York, New York)
  • Raines Law Room at the William (New York, New York)
  • White Limozeen at The Graduate (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Zou Zou’s at the Pendry Manhattan West (New York, New York)

Best US Hotel Bar: US West

  • Anasazi Bar and Lounge at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
  • ARDOR at The West Hollywood EDITION (West Hollywood, California)
  • Del Rey at Villa Royale (Palm Springs, California)
  • Hey Love at The Jupiter (Portland, Oregon)
  • Legacy Club at Circa (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Libertine Social at the Mandalay Bay (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Mountaineering Club at the Graduate Seattle Hotel (Seattle, Washington)
  • Overlook Lounge, Aperitifs & Spirits at the Wynn (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Ski Lodge at The Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US Central

  • Adiós Bar (Birmingham, Alabama)
  • Bandista at the Four Seasons (Houston, Texas)
  • Dovetail Bar at the Schaeffer Hotel (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • EZ’s Liquor Lounge (Houston, Texas)
  • In Plain Sight (Austin, Texas)
  • Nine Bar (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Penny Drip (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
  • Refuge (Houston, Texas)
  • The Elm (Bloomington, Indiana)
  • The Meadowlark (Chicago, Illinois)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US East

  • Amazonia (Washington DC)
  • Chez Zou (New York, New York)
  • Church (Baltimore, Maryland)
  • Lobby Bar at The Hotel Chelsea (New York, New York)
  • Martiny’s (New York, New York)
  • Marygold’s Brasserie at the Arlo Wynwood (Miami, Florida)
  • Milady’s (New York, New York)
  • Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad (New York, New York)
  • Swan Room at Nine Orchard (New York, New York)
  • The Danforth (Portland, Maine)
  • The Gibson Room (Miami, Florida)

Best New US Cocktail Bar: US West

  • Baby Gee (Long Beach, California)
  • Capri Club (Los Angeles, California)
  • Dalva (San Francisco, California)
  • For The Record (San Francisco, California)
  • Here Today Brewery & Kitchen (Seattle, Washington)
  • Khla (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Pacific Standard + The Sunset Room at the KEX Portland (Portland, Oregon)
  • The Butterscotch Den (Sacramento, California)
  • The Let’s Go Disco and Cocktail Club (Los Angeles, California)
  • UnderTow (Gilbert, Arizona)

Best International Cocktail Bar: Canada

  • Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal, Québec)
  • Bar Mordecai (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Bar Pompette (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Cry Baby Gallery (Toronto, Ontario)
  • El Pequeño Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • Milky Way Cocktail Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • Mother Cocktail Bar (Toronto, Ontario)
  • The Cloakroom Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • The Keefer Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Best International Cocktail Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Baltra Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Chintoneria (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • El Barón Cafe & Cocktail Bar (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Mexico)
  • Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Las Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Pocket (San Jose, Costa Rica)
  • Tres Monos (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Best International Restaurant Bar: Canada

  • Aloette (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Bar Kismet (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • Highwayman Restaurant & Bar (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • Honō Izakaya (Québec City, Québec)
  • Kissa Tanto (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Le Majestique (Montreal, Québec)
  • Le Swan French Diner (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Published on Main (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • The Ostrich Club (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • Wind Cries Mary (Victoria, British Columbia)

Best International Restaurant Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • ARCA Tulum (Tulum, Mexico)
  • Aruba Day Drinking Bar (Tijuana, Mexico)
  • Casa Prunes (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • COCHINCHINA (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • Huset Cocina de Campo (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Lady Bee (Lima, Peru)
  • La Sala de Laura (Bogotá, Colombia)
  • Mesa Franca (Bogotá, Colombia)
  • SubAstor (São Paolo, Brazil)
  • Tan Tan (São Paolo, Brazil)

Best International Hotel Bar: Canada

  • 1927 Lobby Lounge at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Bar Artéfact at Auberge Saint-Antoine Hotel (Québec City, Québec)
  • Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Clive’s Classic Lounge at the Chateau Victoria Hotel (Victoria, British Columbia)
  • Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Lobby Lounge and RawBar at Fairmont Pacific Rim (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Marcus Restaurant + Terrace at the Four Seasons Hotel (Montreal, Québec)
  • Rundle Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff, Alberta)
  • The Courtney Room at the Magnolia Hotel (Victoria, British Columbia)

Best International Hotel Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • BEKEB at the Hotel Casa Hoyos (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico)
  • Celajes Lounge Bar at Hotel Belmar (Monteverde, Costa Rica)
  • Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Hotel B Relais & Châteaux (Lima, Peru)
  • Mi Amor Bar at the Mi Amor Hotel (Tulum, Mexico)
  • Mezcaleria Gota Gorda at the Boutique Hotel Soiree (Playa Zipolite, Mexico)
  • Mulberry Project at La Zebra Hotel (Tulum, Mexico)
  • Nobu at the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)
  • Rum Room at Rosewood Little Dix Bay (British Virgin Islands)
  • Zapote Bar at the Rosewood Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen, Mexico)

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Canada*

  • Bagheera (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Bar Banane (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Friendlies Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provision (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Sidecar (Ottawa, Ontario)
  • Simpl Things (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Stolen Goods (Ottawa, Ontario)
  • The Stock Room (Vancouver, British Columbia)
*8 nominees due to the number of nominations received.

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • CATA Agave Bar (Tamarindo, Costa Rica)
  • Comeré (Oaxaca, Mexico)
  • Door No.4 (Georgetown, Cayman Islands)
  • Jardín Tragos y Pasteles (Bogotá, Colombia)
  • Juliana (Guayaquil, Ecuador)
  • Library by the Sea at The Kimpton Seafire Resort (Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands)
  • Mamba Negra (Medellín, Colombia)
  • Mulberry Project at Tribu Hostel (Holbox, Mexico)
  • Rayo Cocktail Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Sastreria Martinez (Lima, Peru)

Best US Bar Team: US Central

  • Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • DrinkWell (Austin, Texas)
  • Grey Ghost (Detroit, Michigan)
  • Half Step (Austin, Texas)
  • Lazy Bird at The Hoxton (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Nickel City (Austin, Texas)
  • Porco Lounge & Tiki Bar (Cleveland, Ohio)
  • Standby (Detroit, Michigan)
  • The Roosevelt Room (Austin, Texas)
  • Three Dots and a Dash & The Bamboo Room (Chicago, Illinois)

Best US Bar Team: US East

  • Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, DC)
  • Attaboy Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Bar Belly (New York, New York)
  • Clover Club (Brooklyn, New York)
  • Double Chicken Please (New York, New York)
  • Hawksmoor (New York, New York)
  • LPM Restaurant & Bar Miami (Miami, Florida)
  • Overstory (New York, New York)
  • Service Bar (Washington, DC)
  • The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club (Nashville, Tennessee)

Best US Bar Team: US West

  • Century Grand (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
  • Highball Cocktail Bar (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)
  • Paper Plane (San Jose, California)
  • The Snug (Sacramento, California)
  • True Laurel (San Francisco, California)
  • UnderTow (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Viridian Bar (Oakland, California)
  • Williams & Graham (Denver, Colorado)
  • Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)

Best International Bar Team: Canada

  • Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal, Québec)
  • BarChef (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Clive’s Classic Lounge at the Chateau Victoria Hotel (Victoria, British Columbia)
  • Dear Friend Bar (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)
  • Laowai (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Lobby Lounge and RawBar at Fairmont Pacific Rim (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Published on Main (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • The Cloakroom Bar (Montreal, Québec)
  • The Keefer Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Best International Bar Team: Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

  • ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Chintoneria (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • El Barón Cafe & Cocktail Bar (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Las Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • La Factoria (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
  • La Uat (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
  • Tres Monos (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Image: Luciann Photography on Pexels

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