Attaboy is Named Best Bar in North America 2022

New York’s Attaboy has been crowned The Best Bar in North America on the inaugural list of North America’s 50 Best Bars.

The independent speakeasy located on New York’s Lower East Side - owned by duo Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy, and tended by Haley Traub - celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

"Wow! We're still processing from last night. What an achievement! 134 Eldridge Street really is a special place. We're so happy you guys like coming in and hanging out with us. We hope we're doing you proud, Sash," they posted on Instagram, in memory of the late Sasha Petraske, whom they both worked under at the former Milk and Honey.

Attaboy offers guests a bespoke cocktail experience, in the absence of a cocktail menu, where classics like Ross’ Penicillin and McIlroy’s Greenpoint have drawn a cult following. "Despite its modest size, it has had an outsized influence on how we drink not only in New York and the USA, but globally as well," said Mark Sansom, content director for North America’s 50 Best Bars.

Also on the winning podium were Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy at number two (also named The Best Bar in Mexico), followed by Licorería Limantour, also in the Mexican capital, at number three.

Other special mentions include: The Bamboo Room, Chicago, named Campari One To Watch; Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen, awarded London Essence Best New Opening; Bar Kismet from Halifax was nominated Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award and Mace, New York, was awarded the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu title

The new annual ranking features bars from across the North American continent, including the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The USA bagged the most bars on the list with 29 spots, Mexico has 11, while Canada boasts eight and the Caribbean two.

See the top 50 list below.

North America's 50 Best Bars 2022 - The Full List

1 Attaboy New York
2 Handshake Speakeasy Mexico City
3 Licorería Limantour Mexico City
4 Katana Kitten New York
5 Kumiko Chicago
6 Café La Trova Miami
7 Baltra Bar Mexico City
8 Dante New York
9 Thunderbolt Los Angeles
10 Civil Liberties Toronto
11 Zapote Bar Playa del Carmen
12 La Factoría San Juan
13 Kaito del Valle Mexico City
14 Sweet Liberty Miami
15 Café de Nadie Mexico City
16 Hanky Panky Mexico City
17 Double Chicken Please New York
18 Service Bar Washington, D.C.
19 Raised by Wolves San Diego
20 Sabina Sabe Oaxaca
21 El Gallo Altanero Guadalajara
22 Selva Oaxaca
23 Amor y Amargo New York
24 Jewel of the South New Orleans
25 The Keefer Bar Vancouver
26 Dear Irving New York
27 Overstory New York
28 Herbs & Rye Las Vegas
29 El Pequeño Bar Montreal
30 Employees Only New York
31 The Dead Rabbit New York
32 Broken Shaker Miami
33 Friends and Family Oakland
34 Death & Co (Los Angeles) Los Angeles
35 Mace New York
36 Death & Co (Denver) Denver
37 Arca Tulum
38 Mother Toronto
39 ABV San Francisco
40 El Floridita Havana
41 Bar Raval Toronto
42 Bar Leather Apron Honolulu
43 Clover Club New York
44 Bitter & Twisted Phoenix
45 Cloakroom Bar Montreal
46 Julep Houston
47 Bar Mordecai Toronto
48 Teardrop Lounge Portland
49 Bar Kismet Halifax
50 Genever Los Angeles