These 50 bars are the very best in the region – read on to find out why each is a must-visit.
No.50 Bon Vivants – NEW ENTRY
Nassau
Tropical prints, tropical fruit-forward drinks and totally tropical laid-back vibes abound at this Bahamian craft cocktail haven. During the day, the bar serves espresso-based drinks and light bites, but come evening Kyle Jones and his talented crew can be found slinging creative house signatures like Boogie on Reggae Woman (coconut rum, banana liqueur, lime, coconut milk, vanilla, bitters).
No.49 Library by the Sea
Grand Cayman
Set on the sandy stretch of Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, the team behind Library by the Sea has created a paradise for people who love books and expertly made cocktails. Each drink here is inspired by all genres of novels, from Sci Fi Fantasy to Crime Fiction, and made with endemic fruits and botanicals from the nearby ocean.
No.48 Baltra Bar
Mexico City
Ask any local bar team where they're having a nightcap post shift and they'll likely say Baltra Bar. Known for its Darwin-themed aesthetics and excellent martinis, the latest offering from beverage director José Luis León, Beber es un Viaje (Drinking is a Journey), draws inspiration from air travel and all its nuances, from delayed departures to pre-flight drinks.
No.47 Bandista – NEW ENTRY
Houston
For genuine southern hospitality that comes with the somewhat surprising bonus of high-tech, forward-looking cocktails, Bandista is the place to be. Ensconced in the depths of the Four Seasons Hotel, the hidden speakeasy lounge could have gone full Great Gatsby but, Art Deco décor and vintage stemware aside, instead it tells the liquid stories of illicit tequileros, and Prohibition's oft-overlooked smuggling routes along the US-Mexican border.
No.46 Viceversa – NEW ENTRY
Miami
This slick Miami hotspot is a tale of two halves, where Italian expat Valentino Longo mashes up the warm hospitality of his homeland with the vivacious modernity of Florida's coast. Try cocktails that major in unexpected, contrasting flavours like the Little Tonico (white port, elderflower liqueur, sherry, olive brine, Mediterranean tonic) and don't skip a visit to the bar's raw seafood bar or the chance to try one of chef Justin Flit's phenomenal pizzas.
No.45 Employees Only
New York
It doesn't get more classic that Employees Only. Come to watch the white-jacketed maestros free-pouring manhattans and martinis behind the bar and, like most guests do, stay for the fantastic atmosphere, stellar bar food (the hand-cut steak tartare is a signature). Don't forget the 'Sober Up Soup', which is served gratis to all every brave drinker who makes it to closing time.
No.44 Daisy Margarita Bar – NEW ENTRY
Los Angeles
The clue is in the name at this LA newcomer from Max Reis and the team behind Mírate. Daisy means margarita in Spanish, which is what you'll find here, along with a host of other inventive drinks that use hand-selected, private batch tequilas as their base.
No.43 Selva
Oaxaca
A liquid love story to Oaxaca, Selva's menus put endemic ingredients and native producers in the spotlight, with every drink celebrating a different market, plant or community found within the region. As well as the well-crafted cocktails, the seafood-heavy menu is well worth exploring, from the tuna tostadas with avocado, sesame vinaigrette and soy sauce to the fresh shrimp tlayudas with chintextle.
No.42 Café La Trova
Miami 
The party is always going strong in this Little Havana hotspot that showcases the best of Cuban culture. Founded by the Roku Industry Icon Award-winning Julio Cabrera, the bar team here follows traditional (and theatrical) cantinero style, throwing Hotel Nacionals (rum, apricot liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice) through the air or shaking Daiquiri Clásico (rum, lime juice, sugar) to the beat of the onsite Son Cubano band.
No.41 Pacific Cocktail Haven
San Francisco
Those in the know have made Pacific Cocktail Haven their San Fran go to a guaranteed good time. Expect cocktails laced with Asian Pacific ingredients including pandan, rice, seaweed and guava, and to queue on busy nights for a seat as this bar is strictly no reservations – however Kevin Diedrich's drinks make it well worth the extra wait.
No.40 Maison Premiere
New York
Bringing NOLA to Brooklyn, Maison Premiere bridges the gap between southern style and NYC chic. The bar has one of the finest oyster menus in town, but the real draw here is its absinthe programme and the elaborate King Cole Martini served tableside by sharply dressed staff, which also comes with the option of adding caviar (and why wouldn't you?)
No.39 Service Bar
Washington DC
Famous fried chicken and an outrageously good value $9 happy hour keep thirsty advocates coming back to this laid-back, no frills neighbourhood hangout. If you aren't in the mood for complex sips like the Suffering Bastard (bourbon, gin, ginger, mint, bitters), Service Bar also has a comprehensive wine and beer menu for more causal sipping.
No.38 Botanist Bar
Vancouver
The finest ingredients sourced from across the Pacific Northwest take centre stage in this bright, airy oasis in downtown Vancouver. The cocktail menu at Botanist leans heavily into the changing seasons, adapting local and foraged flora like sea asparagus and kombu into thought-provoking, theatrical serves such as the iconic Marine Martini.
No.37 Attaboy – RE-ENTRY
New York
Attaboy got a full refit in 2025, with the bijou, 25-seater space doubling in size and capacity to help ease those notoriously long waiting lists. Despite the refurb, Attaboy's core remains the same: a chance to experience modern classics in a cool, informal surrounds – this was the birthplace of the Paper Plane, Penicillin and Greenpoint, after all.
No.36 Bar Madonna – NEW ENTRY
New York
Forget deities and pop icons, Bar Madonna earned its moniker from its founder, NYC veteran Eric Madonna. Co-created with ex-Carbone manager Ray Rondo, this slick little city hangout nods to the intersection of Italian-American hospitality in clever, contemporary ways. Get a taste with the Limoncello Milk Punch, which is pepped up with gin, tequila, genmaicha and shiso.
No.35 Double Chicken Please
New York
Double Chicken Please is less of simple bar and more of an experiment in how far drinks can mimic food, and vice versa. The split layout is its signature: a lively, no-reservations front room pouring easy-drinking drafts, and a tightly curated back bar where cocktails arrive tasting uncannily like dishes – think cold pizza and key lime pie – without tipping into gimmick.
No.34 Press Club – NEW ENTRY
Washington DC
Press Club is as much about its audio experience as it is its drinks programme. Built as a carefully staged listening room where vinyl, lighting and cocktails are all tuned to the same frequency, its menus are structured like albums, offering both accessible 'Track List' drinks and a more curated, almost theatrical tasting experiences in drinks like the In A Cadillac (vodka, sake, vermouth, shiso vinegar gin, paolo cortado, vermouth, grapefruit).
No.33 Overstory
New York
With one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline from its lofty spot on the 64th floor of a Jazz Age skyscraper, Overstory pairs stunning vista with superb cocktails. Its pink tuxedo-clad team of bartenders apply a deft touch to cocktails that feel fittingly classy for their surrounds, served under the glow of a glittering disco ball overhead.
No.32 Prophecy – NEW ENTRY
Vancouver
Sleek, sexy and subterranean, Jeff Savage's Prophecy has fast become the go-to spot for a clandestine cocktail in Vancouver. The menu here leans inventive without becoming pretentious, with sips like the Kitsune 21 (vodka, raspberry, white chocolate, ginger, lemon, sparkling wine), while the vibe is kept buzzing via live music and DJs on rotation.
No.31 Angel's Share
New York
This formative New York bar made headlines when it closed its doors for good in 2022. Its revival under Erina Yoshida, the original owner's daughter, picks up exactly where it left off, serving meticulous Japanese-style libations in a space that manages to be both minimalist and whimsical, with the original bar's mural featuring a cherub-studded cloudscape still watching over its patrons.
No.30 Bisous
Chicago
Bisous is a Fulton Market gem with drinks and décor inspired by 1960s Paris and a cocktail programme crafted by veteran drinks slinger Peter Vestinos, who has ensured everything here is laced with a distinctly French sense of joie de vivre. The real draw here has to be the bar's extensive and impressive martini list, which spotlights lesser known and lesser ordered versions such as the alaska and martinez.
No.29 Civil Works – NEW ENTRY
Toronto
There's something in the water at this cool new outpost from the team behind Civil Liberties, housed in an historic Art Deco warehouse that once produced Toronto's city water pipes. As well as its complex cocktail list, this bar has an extensive water programme that demineralises Toronto water using a hospital-grade reverse osmosis machine, and injects it with highly mineralised brines to recreate taste profiles from around the world.
No.28 Mírate
Los Angeles
The agave-driven playground of Max Reis' beautiful mind, this LA neighbourhood bar majors on pre-Hispanic, fermented beverages such as tepache, tejuino and pulque, with bottles on the backbar featuring a curated selection of ethically made spirits. The fan favourite here is a margarita called El Guero made with aguachile, nopales granita, coconut, avocado-washed tequila and garnished with cucumber-kelp caviar.
No.27 Gus' Sip & Dip – NEW ENTRY
Chicago
At the hands of beverage director Kevin Beary and bar manager Scott Kitsmiller – who also developed the bar programmes at Three Dots and a Dash and The Bamboo Room – this Chi-town newcomer has quickly become the talk of the Windy City. Expect elevated classics and intriguing curveballs, including a fresh take on a regional darling with its Brandy Wisconsin Old Fashioned (cognac, orange, cherry, 7-Up).
No.26 La Factoría
San Juan
Famous for its labyrinthine design that allows guests to wander between six distinct spaces, La Factoría has become the ultimate night out, irrespective of if you're after a quiet corner for an intimate date or an all-out party blowout with dancing and live beats. The one thing each area has in common? Outstanding cocktails that showcase the best of Puerto Rican style and ingredients from co-founder Roberto Berdecia.
No.25 Kaito del Valle
Mexico City
Now in new digs in the Juárez neighbourhood, the bar can now be found behind a secret Japanese vending machine door courtesy of innovative architects Artemio Ronzon and Mara Cabrera (sister of the bar's co-founder and director Claudia Cabrera). Inside, the ethos of Kaito part one is evident – from the all-female team and omnipresent lucky cat mascot to its super cool, seasonally changing menu of Japanese-inflected drinks.
No.24 Bekeb
San Miguel de Allende
Recently re-located to the sumptuous Live Aqua hotel, Bekeb's obsession with all things Mexico prevails. Named after the Tzotzil culture's word "bek", meaning "seed", owner and director Fabiola Padilla's MO is drinks that utilise Mexican fruits, plants, flowers, seeds, roots and traditional elixirs in their purest form, with her latest menu paying homage to the country's long-held history of herbalism.
No.23 Martiny's
New York
Found in a carriage house in NYC's Gramercy that was once owned by artist Philip Martiny, this three-storey lounge is a temple to luxury. Drawing on his Japanese roots and his American influences, cocktail maestro Takuma Watanabe puts omotenashi, the Japanese concept of selfless hospitality, at the heart of the operation here, from the Golden Age classics served in Kimura crystal to the immaculate bar food – think wagyu tartare with XO sauce on milk toast.
No.22 Mother
Toronto
Named after the starter used to make vinegar, Mother is famous for inventive drinks that use funky house-made ingredients from the cellar's fermentorium as their base. For a true taste of founder and Italian expat Massimo Zitti's wild imagination, try one of the bar's classics such as the Toasted Chai Piña Colada, made with caramelised yoghurt, coconut sorbet and lacto-fermented pineapple and ginger.
No.21 Cure
New Orleans
It's impossible to talk about the Crescent City's cocktail scene without mentioning Cure, the bar that sparked the restoration of New Orleans' Freret Street corridor in the wake of the flooding following Hurricane Katrina. Now in its 17th year, the beloved NOLA hangout still delivers clean, balanced and bright original cocktails inspired by the Southern palate, with its bartenders creating a rotating menu of seasonal sips.
No.20 Licorería Limantour
Mexico City
A frequent flyer in North America's 50 Best Bars list, bar director José Luis León and his team deliver drinks that celebrate its Mexico City roots. Newcomers should start with its legendary Margarita al Pastor, before diving into its latest menu El Menú Que Nadie Nunca Pidió (The Menu You Didn't Know You Needed), which focuses on guilty pleasure sips you swore you'd never revisit such as tequila sunrise, sex on the beach and banana daiquiris.
No.19 Library Bar – NEW ENTRY
Toronto
Home of the Instagram-famous Birdbath Martini cocktail – an ice-cold classic that's thrown and served tableside – those in the know understand Library Bar is about more than social media theatrics. With an innovative new menu that delves into the history of Toronto's evolution and a deeply held reverence for the bar's jazz-age roots, this is the place to pull up a stool at the bar, order a prime rib sandwich and watch the world go by.
No.18 Mecenas – NEW ENTRY
Guadalajara
Locavorism is the name of the game at this hip, newly ranked hotspot. Led by José Luis Hinostroza of Arca, Tulum, fame and head bartender Arturo Santos, everything at this Guadalajara bar is homemade, from the cane alcohol liqueurs that form the base for liquids infused with aromatic botanicals and fresh fruit to the local art that adorns the bar.
No.17 June on Cambie – NEW ENTRY
Vancouver
Soft pink velvet seats, sunset lighting and a food-forward beverage list await at this chic little newcomer from Amber Bruce, the driving force behind The Keefer Bar. When it opened in 2025, the lounge-slash-diner-slash-cocktail den became an instant hit through two instantly viral classics: an umami-rich take on a gibson (The Burnt Gibson) and a plate of comté-stuffed raviolo dripping with Beurre d'Isigny (Pasta for Rachel).
No.16 Best Intentions
Chicago
Don't let the 'fancy cocktail bar' sign fool you, this beloved Logan square hangout has been the preserve of people searching for a damn good, frill-free drink for years, and it continues to impress. Helmed by brothers Calvin and Chris Marty, every drink, whether it's a Coors draft or an old fashioned, is treated with equal reverence. The pro order? A Wondermint Malted – the brothers' modern take on the classic grasshopper.
No.15 Clemente Bar
New York
It's easy to get swept away by the beauty of this NYC gem, with its bespoke brushwork murals by artist Francesco Clemente that swirl from the staircase and snake around the back bar. However, beauty is more than surface level here, as the bar team serves up a tight list of inventive twists on classic concoctions (like a signature martini spiked with green curry and saffron) and an omakase-style five-course tasting menu of bar morsels.
No.14 True Laurel
San Francisco 
Found in the beating heart of San Francisco's uber cool Mission District, True Laurel is one of the city's busiest, and buzziest cocktail hangouts. Inside chef Te'sean Glass's dinner and brunch menus complement bar director's Nicolas Torres's creative cocktail menu of science-forward drinks that incorporate local flora. Think house-fermented field cider, pinecone distillate, redwood tips and California bay tinctures.
No.13 Form + Matter – NEW ENTRY
Mexico City
A newcomer from Handshake alums David Rocha and José Olivas, and restaurateur Po Tsai, this CDMX hotspot bridges the gap between science and art with a manifesto that takes matter and gives it form through complex and inventive processes. The result is drinks that are both scientifically impressive and good clean fun.
No.12 Handshake Speakeasy
Mexico City
A permanent fixture in the top spots across North America and The World's 50 Best Bars lists since its inception, this Mexico City star bar has put Mexico City on the global cocktail stage. Helmed by bar director Eric van Beek, the drinks list is carefully crafted and beautifully complex, featuring agave, sotol, tequila and mezcals from local producers and fruit, herbs and proteins sourced from markets and growers across the country.
No.11 Kumiko
Chicago
Infused with owner Julia Momosé's signature elegance, Kumiko is a sophisticated cocktail bar blending Japanese and American cocktail influences with style and finesse with service driven by the Japanese concept of omotenashi. These subtle touches that underpin Kumiko's entire operation saw it recognised with the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award 2026.
No.10 El Gallo Altanero
Guadalajara
Locals and tourists alike come to worship at the agave alter of El Gallo Altanero, the home of hundreds of distillates from independent producers hand-sourced and hand-selected by the bar's agave-aficionado team. Pull up a seat at the bar and let the incredibly knowledgeable staff navigate through sotol, raicilla, mezcal and tequila via crushable cocktails and neat serves.
No.9 Superbueno
New York
An homage to the Mexican-American experience, Superbueno's exploration of bold flavours via accessible sips has kept the bar as one of the hottest in town. Behind it all is the dream team of industry veteran Ignacio 'Nacho' Jimenez and Greg Boehm (Katana Kitten, Mace), fuelled by head bartender Kip Moffit. Together, they've created a festive environment that feels electric from opening to last orders.
No.8 Bar Pompette
Toronto
Despite the classic French character and neighbourhood bistro feel, the backbone of the drinks programme at Bar Pompette is an enthusiastic and exhaustive commitment to locavorism. Tight partnerships with regional farmers make it possible for the team to showcase Ontario terroir in painstakingly perfected cocktails.
No.7 The Keefer Bar
Vancouver
Found in Vancouver's historic Chinatown, The Keefer Bar has been a Van City institution for more than a decade. Famous for its unique drinks programme inspired by old apothecaries, beverage director Amber Bruce's list of 'prescriptions', aka cocktails, has kept guests coming back on repeat, earning the bar the title of The Best Bar in Canada 2026, sponsored by Monkey Shoulder.
No.6 Jewel of the South
New Orleans
A temple to New Orleans culture and the exquisite cocktail skills of its co-founder, Southern cocktail pioneer Chris Hannah, Jewel offers signature Southern service so good it earned the bar the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award in 2024, as well as a menu of modern classics that pay tribute to local legends via Brandy Crusta and Hannah's iconic take on a French 75.
No.5 Tlecān
Mexico City
Tlecān (the Náhuatl word for 'place of fire') has gained international renown for developing a totally new way of understanding mezcal. Paying homage to pre-Hispanic culture, the bar is proudly brand free, instead choosing to showcase artisanal agave distillates from small producers sourced across Mexico, with a particular focus on spirits made by female distillers.
No.4 Schmuck – NEW ENTRY
New York
This buzzy New York debutant cocktail bar is known for its creative, boundary-pushing drinks and playful presentation. Expect inventive flavour combinations, a vibey house party-style setting, and a menu that leans more experimental than classic. Opened in early 2025 by Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy, it has quickly became one of the most talked-about new bars in NYC.
No.3 Bar Snack – NEW ENTRY
New York
It's all about "dressed-up classics for dressed-down people" in this slick, 70s-inspired neighbourhood joint, where unpretentious service is perfectly paired with inventive, flavour-packed drinks designed to surprise and delight in equal measure. No visit is complete without sampling some of the bar's epic snacks, from fries and cheese curds to the Spice Bag, which combines fried chicken, fries and peppers.
No.2 Bar Mauro
Mexico City
A Milanese oasis in the heart of Mexico City, Ricardo and Eduardo Nava's liquid tribute to their aperitivo-loving grandfather has become one of the hottest spots in the cocktail capital city. Well-dressed guests sip amari and vermouths from the bar's impressive selection surrounded by chic black and white prints from seventies Italy in the bar that was named the Campari One To Watch Award winner at The World's 50 Best Bars 2025.
No.1 Sip & Guzzle
New York
Sip & Guzzle is a dual concept New York cocktail bar concept from a trio of industry heavyweights (Asia-based bar magnate Shingo Gokan, Employees Only veteran Steve Schneider and former head bartender at Double Chicken Please Ben Yabrow) that splits the experience into two distinct moods under one roof.
Sip focuses on refined, Japanese-inspired cocktails with precision and elegance, while Guzzle is louder and more casual, serving bold highballs, beers and fun bar snacks. The contrast promises two nights out in one stop and manages to be both polished and experimental. Entering North America's 50 Best Bars list at No.5 last year, the bar takes home the ultimate accolade to be named The Best Bar in North America 2026, sponsored by Perrier.
The list of North America's 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, was revealed at a live awards ceremony in Vancouver on Wednesday 22 April.
