8 Postcards
Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City is a hidden gem boasting inventive cocktails, a cozy 1920s vibe, and a must-visit experience for cocktail lovers.
"With sleek 1920s decorations in a hidden, speakeasy-inspired space, Handshake offers a cocktail menu by award-winning Dutch bartender Eric Van Beek. Known for drinks like a clarified piña colada, along with takes on modern classics like the pornstar martini, the bar won the top spot in North America on the 50 Best Bars list in 2024. The basement, where a cocktail lab produces syrups, clarified juices, and other beverage magic, also seats guests, and you should jump at the opportunity to drink down there if you get the chance. As of late, reservations are challenging, so plan ahead with a reservation." - Natalia de la Rosa, Daniela Galarza
"If speakeasies are your thing, a trip to Handshake is basically a requirement when you’re in Mexico City. But even if you’re not, this is a bar you should go to at least once. Sure, it’s a bit fussy—every drink comes with a backstory, and maybe a garnish that’s momentarily on fire—but the cocktail menu is by far one of the most inventive in the city. The space is small and the seating is a bit cramped, so skip coming here with a group of more than three people. Just make sure to book ahead. Otherwise, prepare for an agonizing wait at the door. " - guillaume guevara
"If speakeasies are your thing, a trip to Handshake is basically a requirement when you’re in CDMX. But even if you’re not, this is a bar you should go to at least once. Sure, it’s a bit fussy—every drink comes with a backstory, and maybe a garnish that’s momentarily on fire—but the cocktail menu is by far one of the most inventive in the city. The space is small and the seating is a bit cramped, so skip coming here with a group of more than three people. Just make sure to book ahead. Otherwise, prepare for an agonizing wait at the door. " - Guillaume Guevara
"Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City offers a Tomato Is a Fruit cocktail, featuring Bombay Sapphire gin, strawberry, tomato, and coconut. The drink balances the sweetness of strawberry and coconut with the fruity aspects of tomato." - Eater Staff
"Also topping the list this year were New York’s Double Chicken Please (number two), and Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy (number three)." - ByLi Goldstein
