The second-ever edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, headed to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, between 3 and 5 May to celebrate the best bars in the continent. Recap the unmissable moments of the events programme as the ceremony headed down Mexico way
1. North America’s 50 Best Bars lands in San Miguel de Allende
After the highly-successful inaugural ceremony held in New York City last year, North America’s 50 Best Bars packed its bags for Mexico for a sun-soaked three-day programme of events in the UNESCO Heritage City San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato State.
2. The Bartenders’ Feast opens the books
Serving as the first assembly of listed bars and guests of the year, the annual Bartenders’ Feast was held at Live Aqua Urban Resort. Decorated with the signature metallic stars of San Miguel and other local touches, it set the scene for this year’s festivities with aplomb.
3. International talent serves up a storm
As bartenders descended upon the venue, they reunited over exemplary drinks created by a quadruplet of outstanding bartenders from across the world. These included Yvonne Chan from Argo in Hong Kong (No.3 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022), Laura Arrieta of Alquímico in Cartagena (No.10 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022), Hampus Thunholm of Röda Huset in Stockholm (winner of the Campari One To Watch at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022) and Emmanuel Ruiz of the host venue, Live Aqua Urban Resort.
4. A taste of Sweden goes down well
With drinks from the four bars flowing under the scorching Mexican sun, Thunholm’s off-menu Rhubarb Milk Punch – made with extremely rare cream from cows grazing verdant pasture on the island of Gotland in Sweden – was widely regarded as one of the best drinks of the whole evening, if not the entire three days in Mexico.
5. North America’s 50 Best Bars Academy Chairs land at the venue
The 50 Best Academy Chairs, the industry experts who select the 260-strong voting panel behind the North America’s 50 Best Bars list, made their appearance. Left to right, Esther Tseng (USA West); Charlene Rooke (Canada West); Ben Mintz (USA South); Pedro Reyes (Mexico); Emma Janzen (USA Midwest); and Christine Sismondo (Canada East).
6. Festivities continue to a reggaeton soundtrack
As the event advanced into the evening, DJ Esa Mi Pau had guests grooving to the hallmark energetic dembow rhythms of Latin America.
7. Anticipation is high as awards day arrives
The stage was set at Hacienda Los Picachos: the first-ever hybrid indoor and outdoor awards venue in 50 Best Bars history. Featuring two red carpets, 17 bars, a laser show and more, there was a tangible buzz in the air as guests arrived.
8. A Canadian take-over on the red carpet
The excitement was palpable as this year’s listed bars made their way onto the red carpet for photo opportunities. Team Canada got themselves together for a portrait from the seven successful Canadian bars who made the list.
9. The World’s Best Bar delivers stellar serves
As the venue filled with guests, three of the team behind The World’s Best Bar 2022, Paradiso in Barcelona, were on hand to quench the thirsts of attendees at the drinks reception. Left to right, Giacomo Giannotti, Margarita Sader and Federico Lombardi.
10. Manhatta takes home the Campari One To Watch Award 2023
Ahead of the countdown revealing North America’s 50 Best Bars for 2023, the first special accolade of the evening was awarded to Manhatta in New York City. Two of its team, head bartender Cameron Winkelman and mixologist Gregory Kong, waltzed onto the stage in a state of shock and disbelief to be handed their award for being the bar with the greatest potential on the continent.
11. The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2023 goes to Yacht Club
The second special award of the evening was given to the Coloradan venue, Yacht Club. Located in Denver, this ‘anti-club club’, founded by Mary Allison Wright and McLain Hedges in 2021, was awarded for its eco-forward and inclusive practices, as judged by the Sustainable Restaurant Association – the Sustainability Audit Partner of 50 Best.
12. Internationally-beloved Christine Wiseman collects her Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award
Accepting the only peer-voted accolade of the night, the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender recipient’s name was met with a roar from the crowd as she took to the stage with an on-brand jubilant celebration, spraying the front row (and one of the stage monitors) in a deluge of sparkling wine. But which Wiseman was it?
13. The mystical Allegory receives the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2023.png)
Allegory in Washington DC chased the white rabbit onto the stage to take home the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2023 for its Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland-themed offering.
14. Miami-based Cuban drinks legend Julio Cabrera is awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award 2023
The cantinero maestro and newly crowned Roku Industry Icon, Julio Cabrera of Café La Trova in Miami, brought his signature charisma and charm to the stage, rounding off the celebrations with his trademark 25 push-ups.
15. Botanist Bar collects its Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award in style
The Botanist Bar team from Vancouver, helmed by Jeff Savage and Grant Sceney, were dressed to the nines as they picked up their pre-announced Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award. Yee-ha!
16. Rayo sets the venue alight as the London Essence Best New Opening winner
Despite only opening its doors to the public within the last 18 months, Rayo made the venue bounce as it received the London Essence Best New Opening Award 2023 to the sound of joyous whoops and cheers from a high-spirited Mexican contingent.
17. Toronto’s Bar Pompette makes Canada proud as the Disaronno Highest New Entry 2023
Canadian bartenders celebrated as Bar Pompette in Toronto was awarded the Disaronno Highest New Entry 2023, making its list debut at a staggering No.15.
18. Overstory ascends the ranking to receive the Nikka Highest Climber Award 2023
The high-flying Overstory, set on the 64th floor of a New York City skyscraper, and led by Harrison Ginsberg, claimed the appropriately-named Nikka Highest Climber Award, jumping a mammoth 20 positions from its 2022 ranking.
19. Double Chicken Please is crowned The Best Bar in North America, sponsored by Perrier.png)
The home of gastronomic-inspired concoctions and seriously good chicken sandwiches, Double Chicken Please was named the best bar on the continent. Rising from minibus pop-up bar to New York cocktail giant, the bar’s meteoric rise to fame is cemented with coveted No.1 position.
After collecting their award on stage in tears of joy, Taiwanese-born co-owners GN Chan and Faye Chen were greeted by their papier mâché mojiganga doppelgängers: a celebratory tradition often created for weddings and celebratory events in San Miguel de Allende.
20. The awards ceremony ends with a bang
The evening’s events were brought to a symphonious close with a firework display that illuminated the Guanajuato hillside.
21. The first-ever 50 Best Closing Party takes place
For the final event of the programme on the day following the awards, bartenders, brands and media arrived at the Amatte Rooftop for the first-ever 50 Best Closing Party. Here, all guests from the previous night were invited to relax, eat and imbibe at the daytime event.
22. Drinks are flowing and tacos are aplenty at the open-air closer
Alongside a stellar cocktail programme from more international bartending talent, guests had access to a range of Mexican culinary delights, including a fresh tortilla and quesadilla station, grilled meats and more.
23. See you next year!
North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 proved the perfect reunion of the leading cocktail establishments of the continent and will return in 2024 with a brand-new ranking and accompanying festivities. Until then, stay tuned on our channels to keep up to date on all North American cocktail news.
Now recap the highlights in video:
North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, on Thursday 4th May 2023. Browse the website to browse the full ranking and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to stay up to date with all the news and announcements.
