The Best Bars and Bartenders in the World in 2024, According to Tales of the Cocktail

After nearly a week of parties, seminars, tasting, and panels, world-renowned spirits conference Tales of the Cocktail ended its 2024 gathering last night by crowning the best bars and bartenders in the world at the Filmore Theater in New Orleans. Excitingly, one New Orleans bar that’s been getting a lot of attention the last few years took home a top honor: Jewel of the South, a 2024 James Beard Award winner for Oustanding Bar, won Best U.S. Bar Team.

Below is this year’s list of the best bars and bartenders in the U.S. and internationally, as voted on by a mix of veteran bartenders, bar owners, historians, and writers. For a full list of international Spirited Award winners, media winners — including Punch — and a list of judges, see Tales of the Cocktail’s website.

U.S. Categories

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar: Yacht Club — Denver, CO

U.S. Bartender of the Year: Kapri Robinson — Allegory, Washington, D.C.

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar: Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar: Superbueno — New York, NY

Best U.S. Hotel Bar: Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.

Best U.S. Bar Team: Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA

Best U.S. Bar Mentor Alex Jump

Best U.S. Brand Ambassador: Anna Mains — Monkey Shoulder

Global Categories

Josh Brasted/Tales of the Cocktail

World’s Best Bar: Alquímico — Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

World’s Best Spirits Selection: Baba Au Rum — Athens, Greece

World’s Best Cocktail Menu: Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico

International Bartender of the Year: Eric van Beek — Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico

Best International Bar Team: Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico

Best International Hotel Bar: BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand

Best International Restaurant Bar: Danico — Paris, France

Best New International Cocktail Bar: Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China

Timeless International Award:Café Pacifico — London, UK

Timeless U.S. Award: The Buena Vista — San Francisco, CA

Tales Visionary Award: Colin Asare-Appiah

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award: Hidetsugu Ueno