Handshake Speakeasy: Mexico City’s World’s Best Bar

The landscape of global mixology underwent a significant transformation in 2024 when a Mexico City-based establishment claimed the top position on one of the hospitality industry’s most coveted rankings. Handshake Speakeasy achieved a watershed moment for the region by becoming the first bar from Mexico to secure the number one ranking on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, fundamentally altering perceptions of where world-class cocktail culture thrives.

This achievement represents far more than a single accolade. It signals the maturation and sophistication of Mexico City’s beverage scene, demonstrating that exceptional bartending talent, innovative spirit development, and refined hospitality can flourish outside traditional cocktail capitals. The recognition has positioned Mexico City as a destination worthy of serious consideration for travelers and enthusiasts seeking authentically crafted experiences beyond the conventional tourist circuit.

Understanding the Venue’s Distinctive Character and Appeal

Located within Mexico City’s historic Juárez neighborhood, Handshake Speakeasy embodies the classic speakeasy aesthetic while maintaining contemporary sensibilities. The establishment distinguishes itself through deliberate anonymity—access is gained through an unassuming entrance marked by minimal signage, creating an air of exclusivity and discovery that resonates with modern cocktail enthusiasts.

The venue’s design philosophy reflects a commitment to craftsmanship over ostentation. Rather than relying on flashy décor or trendy design elements, Handshake Speakeasy prioritizes the essential components of an exceptional drinking establishment: knowledgeable bartenders, quality spirits, and a thoughtfully curated environment conducive to conversation and connection.

• Hidden entrance behind discrete door marking
• Located in Mexico City’s Colonia Juárez district
• Intimate setting designed for meaningful social interaction
• Staff trained in classical and contemporary mixology techniques
• Emphasis on ingredient quality and preparation precision

The Collaborative Vision Behind the Achievement

The recognition ceremony held in Madrid during October 2024 highlighted the collaborative effort underlying Handshake Speakeasy’s success. The venue’s founding team—including Eric, Marquitos Di Battista, Joseph Kuri, and Rodrigo Urraca—alongside key staff members such as lab manager Yiyi Aparicio, demonstrated the multidisciplinary approach necessary for achieving distinction in the competitive hospitality sector.

This team structure reflects contemporary best practices in bar management, where success depends not solely on charismatic bartenders but on coordinated efforts spanning operations, quality control, staff development, and innovation. The inclusion of a dedicated lab manager suggests systematic approaches to spirit analysis, ingredient experimentation, and menu development rather than intuitive approaches alone.

Contextualizing the Achievement Within Global Competition

The competitive landscape for the 2024 ranking included formidable establishments from traditionally dominant cocktail centers. Bar Leone from Hong Kong secured the second position, while Barcelona’s Sips held third place. London’s Tayēr + Elementary and Singapore’s Jigger & Pony completed the top five, collectively representing Asia, Europe, and now Latin America.

This geographic distribution indicates shifting patterns in how global hospitality excellence distributes itself. Mexico City’s ascendancy to the top position suggests that traditional hierarchies privileging North American and European establishments no longer exclusively determine excellence. Instead, recognition now reflects genuine quality measured against consistent international standards, regardless of geographic location or historical precedent.

Recognition Within Regional Rankings and Broader Impact

Beyond its global ranking achievement, Handshake Speakeasy has demonstrated sustained excellence within North American assessments. The establishment held the top position on the North America’s 50 Best Bars list for two consecutive years preceding its global recognition, establishing a pattern of consistent performance that validates rather than diminishes its world ranking.

This trajectory—progressing from regional excellence to global supremacy—provides a meaningful narrative for understanding how establishments build and sustain distinction. Rather than achieving prominence through marketing initiatives or celebrity associations, Handshake Speakeasy’s ascent reflects methodical commitment to craft improvement, staff development, and guest experience optimization.

The Broader Significance for Mexico City’s Hospitality Sector

Mexico City’s emergence as home to the world’s best bar carries implications extending well beyond a single venue. The recognition validates the city’s broader hospitality infrastructure and positions it as a destination worthy of travelers seeking authentic, high-caliber experiences. Tourism organizations and hospitality industry observers recognize that such accolades enhance destination appeal and potentially redirect visitor spending toward the venue and surrounding establishments.

Furthermore, Handshake Speakeasy’s success likely influences industry professionals throughout Mexico and Latin America. Bartenders and venue operators observing the recognition understand that the region possesses the talent, resources, and market conditions necessary for competing at the highest levels. This demonstration effect may catalyze improvements across the broader sector as establishments seek to emulate successful practices and elevate their offerings.

Key Operational Principles Contributing to Excellence

While specific operational details remain proprietary, observable aspects of Handshake Speakeasy’s approach suggest several principles that extend beyond this single venue:

• Commitment to classical cocktail preparation methods combined with selective innovation
• Strategic focus on ingredient sourcing and spirit selection rather than volume-driven efficiency
• Investment in staff training and professional development for bartenders and service personnel
• Intentional design choices prioritizing craft execution environments over aesthetic spectacle
• Limited capacity and controlled guest flow enabling personalized attention and quality maintenance
• Engagement with broader mixology communities and participation in industry dialogue

Understanding the Speakeasy Concept in Contemporary Context

The speakeasy designation carries historical significance tracing to Prohibition-era establishments in North America. Modern interpretations, exemplified by Handshake Speakeasy, maintain certain aesthetic and operational characteristics while divorcing themselves from the illegality that originally defined the category. Contemporary speakeasies emphasize discretion, exclusivity, and craft rather than regulatory evasion.

This evolution demonstrates how hospitality concepts can retain cultural resonance through symbolic elements while adapting to contemporary legal and social contexts. The hidden entrance and minimal signage create experiential narratives of discovery and membership that appeal to consumers seeking differentiation from mainstream hospitality offerings, without requiring actual clandestinity or regulatory risk.

Practical Information for Prospective Visitors

Prospective travelers interested in experiencing this award-winning establishment should note several operational considerations. The venue maintains an intentionally inconspicuous public presence, requiring advance knowledge for location identification. The address—Amberes 65 in the Juárez neighborhood—serves as the official location reference, though the discrete entrance remains deliberately understated.

Access policies and reservation requirements may vary based on operational decisions and capacity constraints. Travelers planning visits should research current operational information and reservation procedures through official channels, as policies governing entry to exclusive hospitality venues frequently evolve based on demand, management preferences, and operational capacity assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Handshake Speakeasy

Implications for Global Hospitality Industry Perspectives

The recognition of Handshake Speakeasy signals meaningful shifts in how the hospitality industry evaluates and recognizes excellence. Geographic diversity among top-ranked establishments suggests that judgment criteria prioritize genuine quality metrics over traditional prestige associations. This development encourages establishments across diverse markets to invest in operational excellence rather than assuming that geographic location determines competitive positioning.

For industry professionals, travelers, and hospitality enthusiasts, the achievement demonstrates that authenticity, craftsmanship, and guest-centric operational philosophy generate more durable competitive advantages than trend-following or celebrity endorsements. Handshake Speakeasy’s success validates investment in understated excellence and long-term reputation building over marketing spectacle.