Once Again, The Best Bar In North America Is In Mexico

A 28-year-old woman refused to take “the list” at face value, and somehow that attitude ended up mirroring Mexico’s cocktail scene right now.

But it wasn’t just a coronation, it was a reshuffling. Limantour (#9), Baltra, and Hanky Panky held steady or climbed, while newcomers like Bar Mauro in Roma Norte (#14) and Bijou, the hidden speakeasy inside Condesa’s Escuela de Gastronomía (#34), proved they were not just “new,” they were already part of the conversation. Meanwhile, Claudia Cabrera at Kaito del Valle watched the neighborhood change overnight as people started hunting for her bar after the list dropped.

And once Eli Martínez’s Tlecān went from debuting at #10 in 2024 to landing at #3, the whole thing stopped feeling like trivia and started feeling like a story about hospitality spreading person to person.

Handshake Speakeasy Takes the Top Spot

50 Best

When Handshake Speakeasy snags the top spot, Limantour (#9), Baltra, and Hanky Panky moving up or holding steady makes it feel like Mexico’s favorites refused to fade.

Familiar Names and Strong Debuts

Longstanding favorites like Limantour (#9), Baltra, and Hanky Panky all retained their spots, with the latter two climbing the ranks. Elsewhere, bars like Café de Nadie in Mexico City, Aruba Day Drink in Tijuana, and Selva in Oaxaca continued to represent Mexico’s diverse bar landscape.

Newcomers also made a splash. Bar Mauro in Roma Norte entered the list at #14, and Bijou, a hidden speakeasy inside Condesa’s Escuela de Gastronomía, landed at #34. Both have been well-known among local cocktail fans since opening.

Cultural Significance in Cocktail Trends

San Miguel de Allende’s Bekeb was among the winners on the night.

50 Best

Then the rankings get messy in the best way, because Bijou inside Escuela de Gastronomía (#34) and Bar Mauro in Roma Norte (#14) are showing up like they were always supposed to be there.

It reminds me of the AITA debate, where a mom wondered if she should make her daughter pay for extracurriculars.

The real twist hits with Claudia Cabrera from Kaito del Valle, since she watched her family neighborhood in Del Valle get flooded with cocktail people after the list came out.

Local Love, Global Attention

Claudia Cabrera, co-owner and bar director at Kaito del Valle in Mexico City, which came in at #40, has seen the effects of the list firsthand.

“We saw a big change,” she said. “We are in a family neighborhood, and suddenly when the list came out, people started coming to [Del Valle]... We have seen people specifically seeking us out, which we didn’t have before.”“There’s a good network of bartenders sending people to different bars across the city,” she added. “Even my friends who aren’t really into cocktails will suddenly tell me about a trendy new cocktail bar they went to and ask me if I know it.”

San Miguel de Allende’s Bekeb was also among the winners, showcasing how Mexican bars outside the capital are gaining global recognition.

Hospitality as the Common Thread

This year’s Bartenders’ Bartender award went to Eli Martínez, owner of Tlecān in Mexico City, which climbed to #3 after debuting at #10 in 2024.

“I think the list reflects the plurality of the scene,” Martínez said. “It’s nice to see bars inside hotels that have endless resources at their fingertips on the same list as places that have made an enormous effort to raise their own money and promote themselves. The common denominator for me is hospitality.”

Martínez, like many in Mexico’s bar industry, sees the 50 Best list as a catalyst that has helped push quality and creativity. “The level of mixology has clearly improved,” he said. “It’s now common to find a drinks menu with a real story to tell.”

And when Eli Martínez’s Tlecān rockets to #3, the Bartenders’ Bartender award basically turns hospitality into the headline, not the hype.

A New Era for Mexican Mixology

Cabrera echoed that sentiment, highlighting a deeper appreciation for local ingredients and craftsmanship.

“I think in the last six or seven years, we have all become really proud of our products. We’re using more agave, more local products, more local brands, and there are more collaborations among everyone.”She added, “Drinks are going minimalist, which you would have never seen in Mexico before. There are no complex garnishes; people are working with really good ice programs. We are all following trends but trying to make them local, ‘tropicalizing’ them, if you will. It’s really moving fast.”Martínez agreed. “I think the tendency is more and more in the direction of showcasing all the culinary and cultural richness of Mexico,” he said.

With bars across Mexico continuing to innovate, collaborate, and redefine what world-class mixology looks like, the country’s place at the top of North America’s cocktail culture seems well secured, at least for now.

The recent accolades awarded to Mexican bars at the 2025 50 Best Bars of North America ceremony reveal a deep-seated connection between cultural identity and the cocktail industry. The success of these establishments illustrates how they have effectively harnessed local traditions, creating unique experiences that resonate with patrons. As the bar scene evolves, it is crucial for these establishments to strike a balance between innovation and honoring their rich heritage. This approach not only keeps them relevant but also broadens their appeal to a diverse audience. The fusion of tradition and contemporary flair is essential for sustaining the dynamic cocktail culture that has positioned Mexico as a leader in North America.

Mexico’s best bars aren’t just getting discovered, they’re getting passed around like a secret worth keeping.

Want to see more couple tension, read about the AITA argument over his bland vegan cooking.