Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy named The World’s Best Bar

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The 2024 list, which was unveiled last night (22 October) at an awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain, features bars from 28 cities across the globe, including 16 new entries.

Alex Kratena and Monica Berg’s Tayēr + Elementary in London’s Shoreditch is the UK’s highest entry, jumping from its eighth place ranking in 2023 to come in at number four on this year’s list.

Berg also received the Roku Industry Icon award.

Other London bars to make the 2024 list include The Connaught Bar, which dropped from fifth on the list to number 13 this year; Satan’s Whiskers, which fell one place from last year to come in at 29; and Scarfes Bar, which climbed four places to 37.

Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons also featured once again, climbing from 39 to 30 on this year’s list.

Additionally, Ryan Chetiyawardana’s Lyaness in London took home the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award.

Located in the Colonia Juárez neighbourhood, Handshake Speakeasy is hidden behind a secret door and stocks with an array of vintage spirits.

Bar director Eric Van Beek is described as ‘effortlessly melding tradition and innovation, elevating the classics through cutting-edge technique developed in the on-site lab, and revolutionising familiar recipes with unexpected flavours’.

“It is with immense pride that we announce Handshake Speakeasy as The World’s Best Bar 2024, sponsored by Perrier,” says Emma Sleight, head of content for The World’s 50 Best Bars.

“To be the first ever number one from Mexico is an outstanding achievement, of which Eric Van Beek and his team are hugely deserving.

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each bar on this year’s list, which continues to operate as a beacon for cocktail lovers the world over.”