For two years in a row, Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy has claimed the top spot on the prestigious list of North America’s 50 Best Bars — a not often seen accomplishment for this competitive annual ranking. You’ll find this speakeasy-style bar in the basement of the NH Hotel in Colonia Juárez, a swanky ‘hood neighboring Condesa, a
verdant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood exuding hip Miami charm
The small primary space, adorned with decorations from the Prohibition era, accommodates only 32 patrons downstairs. It also features a Japanese izakaya-style bar. The creative menu highlights the versatility of agave-based beverages such as tequila, mezcal, and sotol through traditionally Mexican cocktail offerings; however, these are not the sole attractions worthy of attention.
Consider the fig martini, which doesn’t deliver as much fruitiness as one might expect. This traditional dry gin drink combines subtle scents of bitter almonds and lemon zest with ingredients like Cinzano and a cordial made from sous-vide fig leaves that have been slow-cooked for 48 hours through local gathering efforts. In an interview, bar director Eric van Beek and co-founder Rodrigo Urraca discussed this creation.
Travel+Leisure
that it’s the cocktail that “started it all” at Handshake, gracing the menu since its opening day and the one they recommend to newcomers. Your pilgrimage to this celebrated spot may involve passing a TSA checkpoint and boarding a flight, but you can bet your bottom peso that the journey is entirely worth it.
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Key Information About Handshake Speakeasy
Handshake Speakeasy has come a long way since it first opened in the luxurious Polanco district in 2018. The venue was revamped and relocated in 2021, creating an in-house cocktail laboratory to rival a scientist’s lair, helmed by Dutch mixologist and co-founder Eric van Beek. His inventions include Once Upon a Time in Oaxaca, a clarified mezcal milk punch served beneath flaming steel wool. The Cariño cocktail is van Beek’s award-winning creation, a sour that put him on the map internationally by incorporating the honey and spice of Bacardi Reserva Ocho with Greek yogurt, nutmeg, and lemon essence.
Certainly, Handshake’s appeal extends beyond its beverages. It offers 90-minute sessions for visitors and has an entrance that can be easy to overlook from the sidewalk, adding a layer of exclusiveness. Despite this, the team greets patrons warmly as soon as they step inside. The majority of their cocktail menu sits at approximately $300 MXN, which converts to about $15 USD currently. Upbeat music featuring pop and hip-hop maintains a lively atmosphere, and the establishment caters to both Spanish and English speakers seamlessly.
Should the charm of Handshake Speakeasy not be sufficient to make you book your flight, keep in mind that Mexico City boasts several highly acclaimed cocktail venues, with as many as nine featured on the roster of North America’s 50 Best Bars for 2025. The metropolis frequently ranks high globally and offers numerous remarkable sights. For lodging options, think about staying at La Valise, situated just four blocks away from Handshake Speakeasy. It stands out amongst some of the finest places worldwide.
top hotels featuring outdoor accommodation options
situated in a 1920s townhouse exuding French-inspired opulence. You can easily reach El Califa de León via a quick Metrobús ride from this location.
the globe’s sole taco stand with Michelin stars
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