Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove, Atlas and Analogue Initiative fly the Singapore flag high at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 which saw Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy take top honours.
Unveiled at an awards ceremony last evening was this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars list, which saw Mexico City’s handshake Speakeasy beat out 49 other bars for top honours. According to awards organiser 50 Best, the bar tucked away in the Colonia Juárez neighbourhood of Mexico City is one of the city’s best-kept secrets with its impressive array of vintage spirits and decor that masterfully evoke the bygone age of the Hollywood speakeasy.
“It is with immense pride that we announce Handshake Speakeasy as The World’s Best Bar 2024. To be the first ever No.1 from Mexico is an outstanding achievement. The bar’s impressive rise through the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars over the years is a testament to their unique combination of flawless hospitality, innovative technique and truly excellent cocktails,” said Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars.
While Handshake Speakeasy had a difficult slog up the list to the top spot over the years, that wasn’t the case for the bar at #2. Hong Kong-based Bar Leone is Asia’s best bar this year – it was also #1 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars – skyrocketing to a lofty second place on its debut.
Singapore has good reason to celebrate, with four of its top-rated bars placing on the list. Jigger & Pony is the Lion City’s best performing bar, climbing to #5 from #14 last year. Then there’s Nutmeg & Clove which jumped a whopping 36 spots to enter the top 50 for the first time at #28. Rounding out the Singapore contingent is Atlas at #43, and also another debutant Analogue Initiative at #47.
The latest rankings also signaled Asia’s rise in the global cocktail sphere. While last year’s list did not find any Asia-based bar in the top 10, there are three this year with Seoul’s Zest at #9 – also the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award winner – in addition to Bar Leone (#2) and Jigger & Pony (#5). Hot on the heels of the top 10 finds BKK Social from Bangkok at #12, and Hong Kong’s Coa at #18. A total of 11 Asia-based bars made the top 50.
Announced earlier this month were the winners ranked 51-100 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023. Three Singapore bars made the secondary list. There’s Cat Bite Club which retains its spot at #56 – it also landed the Campari One To Watch Award – while Native climbs 16 spots from #83 to claim the #67 position. Finally there’s Night Hawk, which breaks into the top 100 to claim the #74 spot.
A number of ancillary awards were also given out. Co-founder of famed London bar Tayēr + Elementary Monica Berg was crowned this year’s Roku Industry Icon for her mentorship and advocacy for diversity in bartending, while Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage picked up the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every bar on this year’s list, which once again highlights the incredible diversity of the global bar sector,” Sleight added.
Find the full list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 below. For more information, visit: www.worlds50bestbars.com.
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