World’s 50 Best

Cheers to the 50 Best Bars in North America in 2024

by David Klemt

I’d drink that, and probably steal that coaster.

Cheers to the 2024 class of North America’s 50 Best Bars, freshly crowned after an evening of celebration, recognition, community, and hospitality.

Launched in 2022, this year marks the third edition of the World’s 50 Best Bars list that recognizes standout North American concepts and the teams behind their success.

For the 2024 ceremony, North America’s 50 Best Bars returned to the city of San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Actor Diego Alfaro, known for The Ultimate Mixologist and The Law of the Jungle, took on host duties.

This year’s Campari One to Watch Award went to Toronto’s Simple Things. As a refresher, the One to Watch is a bar that voters believe has an excellent shot at breaking into the 50 Best Bars list.

The acclaimed Jewel of the South took the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award home to New Orleans. Jewel of the South also grabbed spot number six on this year’s list, along with being named the Best Bar in the South in the US. Chicago’s Meadowlark earned the 2024 Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. The bar is a new entry to the list and also clinched spot 32. A new award, the Bareksten Best Bar Design Award was presented to Avondale Bowl from Chicago.

Cheers to Claudia Cabrera, this year’s winner of the Roku Industry Icon Award. Voted by her peers, Kate Boushel earned the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.

For all of you out there who have a strong sense of civic pride, New York boasts 12 entries on this year’s list, Mexico City claims nine, and Toronto is home to three. Host city San Miguel de Allende lays claim to the bar at number 27 on the list.

North America’s 50 Best Bars, 2024

50. Atwater Cocktail Club (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
51. The Keefer Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
52. Best Intentions (Chicago, Illinois, US)
53. Cure (New Orleans, Louisiana, US)
54. Mírate (Los Angeles, California, US)
55. Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
56. M’lady’s (New York, New York, US)
57. Angel’s Share (New York, New York, US)
58. Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
59. Maison Premiere (New York, New York, US)
60. Bar Mordecai (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
61. Cloakroom (Montréal, Québec, Canada)
62. Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California, US)
63. Arca (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
64. Century Grand (Phoenix, Arizona, US)
65. Library by the Sea (Grand Cayman, Greater Antilles, Caribbean)(London Essence Best New Opening Award)
66. Selva (Oaxaca, Mexico)
67. The Dead Rabbit (New York, New York, US)
68. Meadowlark (Chicago, Illinois, US)
69. Attaboy (New York, New York, US)
70. True Laurel (San Francisco, California, US)(Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award)
71. Bar Pompette (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
72. Kaito del Valle (Mexico City, Mexico)
73. Bekeb (San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico)
74. Baltra Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
75. Herbs & Rye (Las Vegas, Nevada, US)
76. Botanist Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
77. Allegory (Washington DC, US)
78. Service Bar (Washington DC, US)
79. Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)(The Best Bar in Canada sponsored by Naked Malt)
80. Dante (New York, New York, US)
81. Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois, US)(The Best Bar in Midwest USA sponsored by Torres Brandy)
82. La Factoría (San Juan, Puerto Rico, US)(The Best Bar in the Caribbean sponsored by Amaro Lucano)
83. Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
84. Aruba Day Drink (Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico)
85. Employees Only (New York, New York, US)
86. El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
87. Café la Trova (Miami, Florida, US)
88. Katana Kitten (New York, New York, US)
89. Zapote Bar (Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)

The Top Ten

10. Tlecān (Mexico City, Mexico)
11. Licorería Limantour (Mexico City, Mexico)
12. Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California, US)(The Best Bar in West USA sponsored by Rémy Martin)
13. Double Chicken Please (New York, New York, US)
14. Jewel of the South (New Orleans, Louisiana, US)(The Best Bar in South USA sponsored by Tia Maria)
15. Rayo (Mexico City, Mexico)
16. Martiny’s (New York, New York, US)(Highest Climber Award sponsored by Nikka Whisky, from number 29 to 4)
17. Overstory (New York, New York, US)
18. Superbueno (New York, New York, US)(Highest New Entry, The Best Bar in Northeast USA sponsored by Disaronno)
19. Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)(The Best Bar in Mexico, The Best Bar in North America sponsored by Perrier)

Image: Shutterstock. Disclaimer: This image was generated by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform.