The 2026 edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars was announced in Vancouver for the second year running, reinforcing the city’s position as a serious player in the continent’s cocktail scene.
This year’s list breaks down to 28 bars from the US, 11 from Mexico, 8 from Canada, and 3 from the Caribbean, with 15 new entries shaking things up a bit. New York and Mexico City are out front, but there are a few shifts worth clocking: Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, which held the No.1 spot for two years running, dropped to No.12 which was a surprize. New York’s Sip & Guzzle took the No.1 spot, and Bar Mauro (Mexico City) landed No.2 While Mexico City and New York kept their grip on the top tier, Canada held steady with eight bars on the list, led by Vancouver’s The Keefer Bar at No.7, which also picked up Best Bar in Canada and June cracked the list in its first year landing at No. 17
Top Ten Bars In North America
Sip & Guzzle (New York) — No.1
Bar Mauro (Mexico City) — No.2
Bar Snack (New York) — No.3
Schmuck (New York) — No.4
Tlecān (Mexico City) — No.5
Jewel of the South (New Orleans) — No.6
The Keefer Bar (Vancouver) — No.7
Bar Pompette (Toronto) — No.8
Superbueno (New York) — No.9
El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara) — No.10
CANADIAN BARS
The Keefer Bar (Vancouver) — No.7
Bar Pompette (Toronto) — No.8
June (Vancouver) — No.17
Library Bar (Toronto) — No.19
Mother (Toronto) — No.22
Civil Works (Toronto) — No.29
Prophecy (Vancouver) — No.32
Botanist Bar (Vancouver) — No.38
Special Awards
Sip & Guzzle (New York) — Best Bar in North America
The Keefer Bar (Vancouver) — Best Bar in Canada
Bar Mauro (Mexico City) — Best Bar in Mexico
La Factoría (Puerto Rico) — Best Bar in the Caribbean
Chris Hannah (Jewel of the South) — Industry Icon
Schmuck (New York) — Best New Opening
Library Bar (Toronto) — Sustainable Bar Award
Allegory (Washington DC) — Best Cocktail Menu Award
Cure (New Orleans) — Highest Climber
Bar Snack (New York) — Highest New Entry
Daydream Rum Bar (Albuquerque) — Best Bar Design
Identidad (San Juan) — One to Watch
Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City) — Legend of the List
Thanks to Rubén Nava Less Noise Studi0 For photos…
