What makes a bar one of North America's Top 50 Bar?

What Makes a Bar a “Top 50 Bar?”

Every year, North America’s 50 Best Bars puts out a list that highlights—you guessed it—the top 50 best bars in North America. Launched in 2022, this annual list celebrates the best of the region’s drinks industry and shines a well-deserved spotlight on North America as a premier cocktail destination

While I was down in Mexico last week, we got to check out El Gallo Altanero, in Guadalajara, which was named the 14th best bar in this year’s list.

While we sat there enjoying some incredible cocktails and live music, I started to wonder to myself— what exactly makes a bar “a Top 50 Bar?”

Obviously, let's start where it's most apparent—the cocktails. Every cocktail I tried was immaculately crafted, well thought-out and very well balanced. The Papaya Pay (pictured above) was a highlight for me. It was creamy, had a nice bite, and used papaya in such an incredible way that it made me jealous.

Their back bar selection of bottles was exquisite, with each bottle looking like it was hand-picked and for a specific purpose. After speaking with some of the staff, they told us they really put an emphasis on highlighting some of the best tequila and spirits being made geographically near them. We even got to try a special anniversary bottle of some Agave spirits that were made specifically for El Gallo.

But spirits and cocktails are only part of the equation, and I don't think those alone explain why this place was rated the 14th best bar in North America.

What I truly think sets El Gallo apart is something far more difficult to quantify— The Vibe and the Hospitality.

El Gallo is not a big bar, it's actually quite petite. It holds maybe 40 people upstairs and another 30 downstairs in the courtyard, and that's probably being generous.

But something that was incredibly apparent to me and made such a difference is how much everyone loved being there. It wasn’t just the guests, either. The people working there had genuine smiles on their faces, greeting guests with a hug, joking with each other, and making everyone who walked through the archway into the bar feel like they were home.

As simple as that may seem, there are tons of bars that start to just go through the motions once they start getting some good attention or acclaim. Here, I know it wasn't just a one-off thing. Because, We were at El Gallo twice in one day. We went there at around 6 pm And then again at 11 pm. Both times, everyone working there was so happy to be there. And that stuck with me.

It was impossible to not have a giant smile on your face while watching people love what they're doing — especially in this industry.

At the end of the day, what made a bigger impact on me more than the cocktails or the spirits was the ability of the people who worked there to extend past themselves and treat everyone with kindness and love more than most people would be willing to.

And that's something that will stick with me for as long as I live. And as someone who owns a bar, its the environment and ambiance that I will strive to have in my own environments and bars

Whiskey Picks That Won’t Break the Bank

We’ve been over before how unpredictable (even frustrating) the whiskey market can be. That being said, whether you prefer Bourbon, Scotch, or Irish Whiskey, there are options out there that provide both quality and value. Last week we highlighted hidden gem tequilas, now it’s time to check out some budget-friendly whiskies under $30 that prove affordability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste :

Bourbon Lovers:

Four Roses Yellow Label (around $20): A versatile bourbon that’s great for cocktails or sipping neat. Good, all-around safe pick.

Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond (around $25): Another great value, whether being utilized in mixed drinks or on its own. At 100-proof, it offers a good balance of sweetness with a pleasant burn.

Evan Williams Bottled in Bond (around $17): Great mixer with a strong, classic bourbon taste. Hard to beat this price tag for a BIB.

For Rye Whiskey Fans:

Old Overholt Rye (around $18.99): An easy-to-sip rye whiskey, known for its smoothness and subtle spice.

Rittenhouse Rye (around $30): Very popular for a reason, this rye offers a bold spice and higher proof, perfect for those who want the rye characteristic to shine.

Looking for Irish Whiskey?

Powers Gold Label (around $25): Smooth and easy-drinking, this Irish whiskey is a fantastic choice for a mellow yet flavorful experience.

For Scotch Drinkers:

Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky (around $30): A blend of three single malts, this Scotch is smooth, approachable, and lightly peaty, making it an excellent choice for both newcomers and seasoned Scotch fans.

In other news 🍹

• In our latest episode of Behind The Stick, we interviewed Kaitlyn Stewart, better known as Likeable Cocktails

• Tickets to Tales of the Cocktail are officially on sale

• Lui posted a video about the most overrated tequilas ever