The winners were revealed during a lively ceremony held here in Vancouver Tuesday night

A pair of acclaimed Vancouver bars have not only maintained their presence on a prestigious awards list but one has also risen in the ranks, as North America’s 50 Best Bars of 2025 were revealed last night at an exciting bar star-studded ceremony held right here in Vancouver.

Now in its fourth year, North America’s 50 Best is a branch of the World’s 50 Best Bars, and shines a much-deserved spotlight on bars from Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.

The top-ranked Canadian bars are from Toronto: Bar Pompette (No. 7) and Civil Liberties (No.21).

But Vancouver’s own Botanist Bar (No.26) and The Keefer Bar (No.28) aren’t far behind. This is the second consecutive year both Botanist and The Keefer Bar are ranked together; before the 2024 list, both had appeared in separate years. The Keefer Bar appeared on the 2022 North America’s 50 Best Bars rankings but did not return the following year, while Botanist made its debut on the list in 2023.

All told, there are eight Canadian bars ranked in the 50 Best for this year, including Montreal’s Cloakroom (No. 31) and Atwater Cocktail Club (No. 36), with Toronto’s Mother re-entering this year’s list at No.44.

Mexico City spot ranks at the top (again), NYC has 11 bars on the list

Maintaining its number one slot is Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy. In fact, more than half of Mexico’s spots on the list are in Mexico City. Meanwhile, New York City had the strongest presence, with 11 of the 26 U.S. bars on the list hailing from the Big Apple.

“This year’s list is a powerful testament to the relentless drive, creativity, and world-class talent that define the cocktail industry today. These bars don’t just serve drinks – they set global standards, push boundaries, and shape the future of hospitality,” said Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, in a media release issued after last night’s incredible Vancouver celebration.

Along with Vancouver serving as host city for the first time is another thrilling first: An extended list of rankings honouring spots 51 to 100 was recently revealed.

Bonus 51-100 ranking includes three more Vancouver bars

Already a mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists, the extended ranking made its North American this year, further illuminating the rich and diverse cocktail cultures across the region in the lead-up to the unveiling of the prestigious 1-50 list.

The 51-100 list includes bars spanning 23 destinations across North America, recognizing even more cities for their diverse cocktail culture. Canada boasts 15 institutions on the list, hailing from Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Victoria.

Local honours go to Prophecy (53), Laowai (67), and Meo (92).

Vancouver is host city of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Many special events

Though the big reveal party is over, there are a few noteworthy events happening over the next couple of days as part of an incredible array of special pop-ups, guest shifts, theme nights, and more at some Vancouver bars. Check out our guide to see where you might have the chance to enjoy cocktails from some of the world’s best bars and bartenders without having to leave Vancouver.

North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025

1. Handshake Speakeasy – Mexico City
2. Superbueno – New York
3. Tlecān – Mexico City
4. Jewel of the South – New Orleans
5. Sip & Guzzle – New York
6. Overstory – New York
7. Bar Pompette – Toronto
8. El Gallo Altanero – Guadalajara
9. Licorería Limantour – Mexico City
10. Kumiko – Chicago
11. Clemente Bar – New York
12. Mírate – Los Angeles
13. Café La Trova – Miami
14. Bar Mauro – Mexico City
15. Martiny’s – New York
16. Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco
17. True Laurel – San Francisco
18. Employees Only – New York
19. Double Chicken Please – New York
20. Baltra Bar – Mexico City
21. Civil Liberties – Toronto
22. Aruba Day Drink – Tijuana
23. Service Bar – Washington DC
24. Thunderbolt – Los Angeles
25. Best Intentions – Chicago
26. Botanist Bar – Vancouver
27. Arca – Tulum
28. The Keefer Bar – Vancouver
29. Selva – Oaxaca
30. Library by the Sea – Grand Cayman
31. Cloakroom – Montreal
32. La Factoría – San Juan
33. Maison Premiere – New York
34. Bijou Drinkery Room – Mexico City
35. Hanky Panky – Mexico City
36. Atwater Cocktail Club – Montreal
37. Bar Mordecai – Toronto
38. Meadowlark – Chicago
39. Bisous – Chicago
40. Kaito del Valle – Mexico City
41. Yacht Club – Denver
42. Katana Kitten – New York
43. Angel’s Share – New York
44. Mother – Toronto
45. Allegory – Washington DC
46. Dante – New York
47. Café de Nadie – Mexico City
48. Silver Lyan – Washington DC
49. Bekeb – San Miguel de Allende
50. Cure – New Orleans

—This story by Lindsay William-Ross originally appeared on Vancouver Is Awesome