Eight Canadian Bars feature in the 2025 edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars, which was unveiled yesterday.
For the first time, the prestigious North America’s 50 Best Bars awards were hosted in Canada, with the ceremony taking place on April 29, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy held onto the No.1 spot, while New York’s Superbueno and Mexico’s Tlecān followed closely behind.
Canada made an impressive showing, with Bar Pompette in Toronto landing at No.7 and earning the title of Best Bar in Canada. Other notable mentions include Toronto’s Civil Liberties (No.21), Vancouver’s Botanist Bar (No.26), and Montreal’s Cloakroom (No.31).
In addition to the main rankings, an inaugural 51–100 list was also released recently. This extended ranking highlighted 15 more Canadian bars across five cities. From Calgary’s relaxed Missy’s to Montreal’s elegant Bar Bisou Bisou and Toronto’s inventive Cry Baby Gallery, the range of styles and atmospheres reflects the country’s growing influence in the cocktail scene.
The awards, sponsored by Perrier, spotlight top bars from the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. According to the website, the voting system is based on anonymous votes from North American industry experts, including bartenders, bar owners, and drinks media, who form the Academy with more than 300 members. Each member votes for seven bars, with a maximum of five in their home country or state, and the votes are kept confidential until the list is announced. The Academy is divided into eight regions, each with its own panel of members and chairperson. Bars cannot apply to be on the list.
Canadian Bars in North America’s 50 Best Bars Extended List
- Bar Pompette, Toronto (No.7): A cozy French-inspired café with a globally acclaimed cocktail program. Known for impeccable service, it was named Best Bar in Canada and received the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2025.
- Civil Liberties, Toronto (No.21): Marked by a pineapple sign, this unmarked bar offers no menu. Bartenders tailor each drink to guests’ preferences, emphasizing warmth and expert craftsmanship over exclusivity.
- Botanist Bar, Vancouver (No.26): Located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim, this bar blends science and nature in every drink. Standouts include the Marine Martini, offering a dry escape from the city’s rainy weather.
- The Keefer Bar, Vancouver (No.28): Inspired by old apothecaries, this Chinatown fixture serves medicinal-style cocktails and has been a staple of Vancouver’s cocktail scene for over a decade.
- Cloakroom, Montreal (No.31): Hidden inside a tailor shop, this 25-seat bar offers a bespoke experience—no menu, just custom cocktails crafted from your spirit of choice in an intimate setting.
- Atwater Cocktail Club, Montreal (No.36): Tucked in a back alley under red lights, this welcoming and creative bar is known for bold cocktails and a community vibe, led by award-winning bartender Kate Boushel.
- Bar Mordecai, Toronto (No.37): A playful, Wes Anderson-style space with community roots and cocktails like the soft-serve-based Mordi Vice, making it one of Toronto’s most character-filled spots.
- Mother, Toronto (No.44): Focused on fermentation and flavor innovation, Mother combines classic and funky creations. The bar is led by Massimo Zitti and thrives on pushing creative cocktail boundaries.
- Library Bar, Toronto (No.51): Housed in the Fairmont Royal York, this Art Deco gem offers a literary-themed cocktail menu with theatrical presentation. The Birdbath Martini is a standout.
- Missy’s, Calgary (No.52): A laid-back favorite for locals, Missy’s mixes cleverly named cocktails with wine and beer in a no-frills setting. Happy hour deals and casual charm are its signature.
- Prophecy, Vancouver (No.53): This opulent bar in Hotel Georgia crafts cocktails inspired by literature, legend, and art. Drinks like The Kelpie and Kitsune 21 bring storytelling to life in a glass.
- Civil Works, Toronto (No.55): Located in Waterworks Food Hall, this bar pairs industrial architecture with Art Deco style. History-inspired cocktails like The Woolnough connect guests to Toronto’s past.
- Proof, Calgary (No.58): Known for its spirit-themed cocktail menu and tiny classic pours, Proof blends a stripped-down setting with inventive drinks like the cocoa butter-washed Bitter Baby.
- Laowai, Vancouver (No.67): Accessible through a dumpling shop freezer, Laowai channels 1920s Shanghai with lavish decor and a menu rich in baiju and Chinese folklore-inspired cocktails.
- Cry Baby Gallery, Toronto (No.68): Hidden behind an art gallery, this gritty yet charming speakeasy offers cocktails infused with homemade syrups and tinctures in a relaxed, walk-in-only space.
- Humboldt Bar, Victoria (No.69): Inspired by explorer Alexander von Humboldt, this bar’s menu explores nature through cocktails, ranging from fresh and herbal to bold and spiced.
- Bar Bisou Bisou, Montreal (No.75): French charm and apéritif culture meet in this low-ABV-focused bar. Vermouths, sherries, and great bread make it ideal for leisurely sipping.
- Simpl Things, Toronto (No.83): By Evelyn Chick, this all-day bar shifts from Italian café to Asian bites and cocktails by night, with a standout happy hour and award-winning vibes.
- Bar Bello, Montreal (No.84): Specializing in low-alcohol drinks, this afternoon bar emphasizes Italian amari and vermouth, alongside shareable bites, in a space that invites daytime lounging.
- The Coldroom, Montreal (No.91): Enter via a hidden door into this dimly lit speakeasy. Classic cocktails get a modern twist in a space that’s a favourite among celebrities and cocktail fans alike.
- Meo, Vancouver (No.92): Evoking 1970s Hong Kong, Meo’s whimsical decor meets inventive drinks that play with the savory and sweet potential of fruits and vegetables.
- Slice of Life, Toronto (No.96): Centered on ingredient-driven cocktails, this quirky bar features bold drinks like a Strawberry Martini with mezcal, chocolate liqueur, parmesan, and pink peppercorns.
- Shelter, Calgary (No.99): Shelter offers a warm hideaway with seasonal cocktails and bao dishes. Inspired by pre-Prohibition classics and local ingredients, it’s a cozy, modern refuge.