These U.S. bars were just named the best in North America
If you're like a lot of us, you look forward to a bar visit on your vacation. It's always fun to see seasonal or specialty cocktails on the list, and soaking up the boozy atmosphere and music can be elating. (Truth be told, we also love a great mocktail and staying sharp for the evening). So if you're thinking of building a trip around visiting one of the continent's best bars, we're thrilled for you. Winners of North America's Best Bars 2025 have just been announced, and 26 of those 50 are here in the U.S. There are also 14 in Mexico (including the No. 1 pick, Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City), eight from Canada and two from the Caribbean.
The first U.S. bar on the list is Superbueno in New York, which was also No. 2 last year —way to hold strong! Jewel of the South in New Orleans rose from the No. 6 spot to No. 4. Overstory in New York fell from No. 3 to No. 6, taking over the Jewel's former spot. Other U.S. bars in the top 10 are Sip & Guzzle in New York, showing up at No. 5 out of nowhere (it wasn't on the list last year) and Kumiko in Chicago, rising to No. 10 from No. 19. Sip & Guzzle has an enormously interesting backstory, based on an 1874 contingent of Japanese samurai who came to New York, where bartender Jerry Thomas invented a cocktail specifically for the Japanese diplomat Tateishi Onojirou Noriyuki. Today in Tokyo, Shingo Gokan's The SG Club imagines the kind of bar those samurai would have opened upon returning, and in a playful turn, Sip & Guzzle (with the same initials) imagines the bar that the samurai would have opened if they returned to New York with everything they'd learned. That's for sure on my visit list the next time I'm in New York!
The Best Bars in North America 2025:
1. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
2. Superbueno, New York
3. Tlecān, Mexico City
4. Jewel of the South, New Orleans
5. Sip & Guzzle, New York
6. Overstory, New York
7. Bar Pompette, Toronto
8. El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
9. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
10. Kumiko, Chicago
11. Clemente Bar, New York
12. Mírate, Los Angeles
13. Café La Trova, Miami
14. Bar Mauro, Mexico City
15. Martiny's, New York
16. Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco
17. True Laurel, San Francisco
18. Employees Only, New York
19. Double Chicken Please, New York
20. Baltra Bar, Mexico City
21. Civil Liberties, Toronto
22. Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana
23. Service Bar, Washington, D.C.
24. Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
25. Best Intentions, Chicago
26. Botanist Bar, Vancouver
27. Arca, Tulum
28. The Keefer Bar, Vancouver
29. Selva, Oaxaca
30. Library by the Sea, Grand Cayman
31. Cloakroom, Montreal
32. La Factoría, San Juan
33. Maison Premiere, New York
34. Bijou Drinkery Room, Mexico City
35. Hanky Panky, Mexico City
36. Atwater Cocktail Club, Montreal
37. Bar Mordecai, Toronto
38. Meadowlark, Chicago
39. Bisous, Chicago
40. Kaito del Valle, Mexico City
41. Yacht Club, Denver
42. Katana Kitten, New York
43. Angel's Share, New York
44. Mother, Toronto
45. Allegory, Washington, D.C.
46. Dante, New York
47. Café de Nadie, Mexico City
48. Silver Lyan, Washington, D.C.
49. Bekeb, San Miguel de Allende
50. Cure, New Orleans
If you want to see the continuing list, here's No. 51-100, named for the first time this year.
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The Herald Scotland
8 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
When time finally ran out for the Glasgow Apollo, forty years ago
The venue's peak came during the Seventies and for those of us who were there then, it, and the countless gigs we saw there, remain among the defining images of that decade. Alongside, perhaps, the Old Grey Whistle Test, John Peel's cult radio shows, and enthusiastic reading of the music weeklies – Sounds, NME, Melody Maker for news of the latest vinyl and tour dates. Not to mention, of course, the music of the time, whether it was punk and new wave, the Eagles, the Rolling Stones (below), prog, glam, reggae, heavy metal or soul. The Apollo memories are quite imperishable. The Rolling Stones were one of the biggest acts at the Apollo Many of the bands that played the venue are, like the Apollo itself, no more, having broken up for one reason or another: 'musical differences', frustration over a lack of success, a desire to follow individual dreams. But a gratifying number of groups are still thriving today: Neil Young, the Stones, the Cure, Status Quo, Rod Stewart, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Robert Plant, the Rezillos, Robin Trower, AC/DC, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton, Hawkwind, Jethro Tull, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison. Santana, too. Led by Carlos Santana, who turns 78 next month, they entertained the OVO Hydro just a few nights ago, nearly half a century after their last appearance in Renfield Street. And then there's Paul Weller, of course; it was his old band, The Style Council, who brought the curtain down on the Apollo on Sunday, June 16, 1985. Time has been busy catching up with other Apollo acts. Black Sabbath, who played Green's Playhouse, the Apollo's forerunner, as long ago as 1970, are bowing out with a huge farewell gig at Birmingham's Villa Park on July 5. That same night, a few miles away elsewhere in the city, Jeff Lynne's ELO will play the first of five last-ever concerts – two in Birmingham, two in Manchester, and one in London's Hyde Park. Elkie Brooks, who experienced the Apollo on a handful of occasions in the latter years of its existence, is on a Long Farewell Tour. In August, The Who will embark on their North America Farewell Tour. To look through the comprehensive gig listings curated by the people behind the excellent Glasgow Apollo website is to be reminded the astonishing wealth of gigs that took place there, across so many genres. Read more: The names of some of the acts – Renaissance, Rare Bird, drummer Ginger Baker's group Baker-Gurvitz Army, the all-female US rockers Fanny, Gentle Giant, Kokomo, Glencoe, Golden ('Radar Love') Earring, the Groundhogs, Traffic, Japan's Sadistic Mika Group – are familiar to fans of a certain vintage today. Less familiar, possibly, are Tea, who supported Baker Gurvitz Army in 1975; Dave and the Mistakes, who opened for Elvis Costello and the Attractions in 1981; and Sandii & the Sunsetz, another Japanese group, who were the support act for (of course) Japan in 1982. It's interesting to look back at the music weeklies and see what they made of certain concerts. Here's a small but vibrant selection: * 'Heat, dust, smoke, lasers and Genesis combined to turn the Glasgow Apollo into a replica of Dante's Inferno when the band descended on the city on Friday night' – Melody Maker, July 1976. * 'Rory G[allagher] made it however, and played an undeniably proficient over two-hour set to the most rapturous reception I've seen in ages. The audience was crazy, drunken, happy, and collectively about as intelligent as the average tree-stump: in short, all the jolly working-class virtues that made me leave Glasgow in the first place' – Sounds, April 1978. * 'Fred Turner [of Bachman Turner Overdrive] is a real sweathog of a bass player. Whether he's hungrily engulfing chip sandwiches in a Glasgow hotel under the lights of a documentary film crew, or bouncing all over the Apollo stage until the lighting towers begin to develop major instabilities, you gotta admit the dude is, like, heavy, man. He ought to do a seesaw act with Leslie West' – NME, May 1975. Lynyrd Skynyrd were a hugely popular attraction at the venue (Image: Unknown) * 'As a unit [Lynyrd Skynyrd, above] peaked with 'Tuesday's Gone', which took on a church atmosphere – in Glasgow the audience even started the Terrace Sway.... In Glasgow, the entire audience sang 'Free Bird' in its entirety. That's freaky (good-freaky), 3,000 people singing homage to a guitarist [Duane Allman] they've never seen' – Sounds, February 1976. * 'Backstage at the Apollo the theatre photographer is taking a group shot of the Rolling Stones receiving their trophies earned by selling out the three shows there. 'More ANIMATION pleeeze,' Jagger shouts good naturedly to the nervous photographer. 'When the Faces played here they could only afford one trophy', Woody [Ron Wood] informs the gathering, 'so we gave it to Tetsu [Yamauchi] to make him feel wanted'. Tonight each band member gets their own special souvenir. Just another memory. Keith gives his to Marlon [his son]' – Sounds, April 1976. * 'For Scotland, the Pretender changed tactics. Wearing a tartan wool scarf, he concentrated on rock 'n' roll. It was such good rock that it made me think maybe the Eagles aren't the best American rock 'n' roll band. Maybe the best American rock 'n' roll band is Jackson Browne ... Browne's initial self-centred introspection gently fades away. The Glasgow Apollo was cold, and Jackson Browne wanted to warm the place up with some powerfully generated rock. I almost thought he'd do 'Whole Lotta Shakin'' – Sounds, December 1976. The Apollo was noted, then, for many things: for its unassailable place on the Scottish gig circuit, for the rampant fervour with which many groups were greeted, for the less-than-salubrious nature of its backstage facilities. It all added up to a brilliant, authentic venue. The Apollo was living on borrowed time 40 years ago, however. The outcry that had greeted an earlier closure date, in 1978, when the venue's operators were granted a licence to turn it into a bingo hall, was decidedly more muted in the run-up to the Style Council farewell in 1985. As to why, David Belcher, the Herald's music writer, had this to say: 'The answer on everyone's lips is the Scottish Exhibition Centre, which has been bruited as having the ability to stage five to 10 10,000-seater per year along with up to 40 annual 2,000-seater shows'. Belcher also noted that the Apollo was damp and crumbling and that its fabric had deteriorated alarmingly over the last five years – not surprisingly, perhaps, given that the place had opened, as Green's Playhouse, back in 1927. The Apollo's time was up, then. But who could possibly have guessed in 1985 that its absence would be mourned, four decades later?
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
When time ran out for the Glasgow Apollo
The venue's peak came during the Seventies and for those of us who were there then, it, and the many gigs we saw there, remain among the defining images of that decade. Alongside, perhaps, the Old Grey Whistle Test, John Peel's cult radio shows, and enthusiastic reading of the music weeklies – Sounds, NME, Melody Maker for news of the latest vinyl and tour dates. Not to mention, of course, the music of the time, whether it was punk and new wave, the Eagles, the Stones, prog, glam, heavy metal or soul. The Apollo memories are imperishable. Many of the bands that played the venue are, like the Apollo itself, no more, having broken up for one reason or another: 'musical differences', frustration over a lack of success, a desire to follow individual dreams. But a gratifying number of groups are still thriving today: Neil Young, the Stones, the Cure, Status Quo, Rod Stewart, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Robert Plant, the Rezillos, Robin Trower, AC/DC, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton, Hawkwind, Jethro Tull, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison. Santana, too. Led by Carlos Santana, who turns 78 next month, they entertained the OVO Hydro just a few nights ago, nearly half a century after their last appearance in Renfield Street. And then there's Paul Weller, of course; it was his old band, The Style Council, who brought the curtain down on the Apollo on Sunday, June 16, 1985. Time has been busy catching up with other Apollo acts. Black Sabbath are bowing out with a huge farewell gig at Birmingham's Villa Park on July 5. That same night, a few miles away elsewhere in the city, Jeff Lynne's ELO will play the first of five last-ever concerts – two in Birmingham, two in Manchester, and one in London's Hyde Park. Elkie Brooks, who experienced the Apollo on a handful of occasions in the latter years of its existence, is on a Long Farewell Tour. In August, The Who will embark on their North America Farewell Tour, To look through the comprehensive gig listings curated by the people behind the excellent Glasgow Apollo website is to be reminded the astonishing wealth of gigs that took place there, across so many genres. The names of some of the acts – Renaissance, Rare Bird, drummer Ginger Baker's group Baker-Gurvitz Army, the all-female US rockers Fanny, Gentle Giant, Kokomo, Glencoe, Golden ('Radar Love') Earring, the Groundhogs, Traffic, Japan's Sadistic Mika Group – are familiar to fans of a certain vintage today. Less familiar, possibly, are Tea, who supported Baker Gurvitz Army in 1975; Dave and the Mistakes, who opened for Elvis Costello and the Attractions in 1981; and Sandii & the Sunsetz, another Japanese group, who were the support act for (of course) Japan in 1982. It's interesting to look back at the music weeklies and see what they made of certain concerts. Here's a small selection: * 'Heat, dust, smoke, lasers and Genesis combined to turn the Glasgow Apollo into a replica of Dante's Inferno when the band descended on the city on Friday night' – Melody Maker, July 1976. * 'Rory G[allagher] made it however, and played an undeniably proficient over two-hour set to the most rapturous reception I've seen in ages. The audience was crazy, drunken, happy, and collectively about as intelligent as the average tree-stump: in short, all the jolly working-class virtues that made me leave Glasgow in the first place' – Sounds, April 1978. * 'Fred Turner [of Bachman Turner Overdrive] is a real sweathog of a bass player. Whether he's hungrily engulfing chip sandwiches in a Glasgow hotel under the lights of a documentary film crew, or bouncing all over the Apollo stage until the lighting towers begin to develop major instabilities, you gotta admit the dude is, like, heavy, man. He ought to do a seesaw act with Leslie West' – NME, May 1975. * 'As a unit [Lynyrd Skynyrd] peaked with 'Tuesday's Gone', which took on a church atmosphere – in Glasgow the audience even started the Terrace Sway.... In Glasgow, the entire audience sang 'Free Bird' in its entirety. That's freaky (good-freaky), 3,000 people singing homage to a guitarist [Duane Allman] they've never seen' – Sounds, February 1976. * 'Backstage at the Apollo the theatre photographer is taking a group shot of the Rolling Stones receiving their trophies earned by selling out the three shows there. 'More ANIMATION pleeeze,' Jagger shouts good naturedly to the nervous photographer. 'When the Faces played here they could only afford one trophy', Woody [Ron Wood] informs the gathering, 'so we gave it to Tetsu [Yamauchi] to make him feel wanted'. Tonight each band member gets their own special souvenir. Just another memory. Keith gives his to Marlon [his son]' – Sounds, April 1976. * 'For Scotland, the Pretender changed tactics. Wearing a tartan wool scarf, he concentrated on rock 'n' roll. It was such good rock that it made me think maybe the Eagles aren't the best American rock 'n' roll band. Maybe the best American rock 'n' roll band is Jackson Browne ... Browne's initial self-centred introspection gently fades away. The Glasgow Apollo was cold, and Jackson Browne wanted to warm the place up with some powerfully generated rock. I almost thought he'd do 'Whole Lotta Shakin'' – Sounds, December 1976. The Apollo was noted, then, for many things: for its unassailable place on the Scottish gig circuit, for the rampant fervour with which many groups were greeted, for the less-than-salubrious nature of its backstage facilities. It all added up to a brilliant, authentic venue. The Apollo was living on borrowed time 40 years ago, however. The outcry that had greeted an earlier closure date, in 1978, when the venue's operators were granted a licence to turn it into a bingo hall, was decidedly more muted in the run-up to the Style Council farewell in 1985. As to why, David Belcher, the Herald's music writer, had this to say: 'The answer on everyone's lips is the Scottish Exhibition Centre, which has been bruited as having the ability to stage five to 10 10,000-seater per year along with up to 40 annual 2,000-seater shows'. Belcher also noted that the Apollo was damp and crumbling and that its fabric had deteriorated alarmingly over the last five years – not surprisingly, perhaps, given that the place had opened, as Green's Playhouse, back in 1927. The Apollo's time was up, then. But who could possibly have guessed in 1985 that its absence would be mourned, four decades later? RUSSELL LEADBETTER
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
10 of London's best rooftop bars for summer
It sure is hot here in the UK and down south the heatwave is sizzling in London. But there's nothing quite like a tipple in the summer sun, so if you're in search of somewhere with stellar views and a light breeze, a rooftop bar is the way to go. Whether you want to gaze out toward The Shard, indulge in some delicious food, or have a boogie while the DJ plays – we think we've got something for everyone. So, if you're in need of some inspiration for your next night out, Metro has 10 picks of the city's best rooftop venues… When you're 11 floors up at this rooftop bar with views of the Gherkin and St Pauls, there are few views that rival it. The award-winning Florattica is known for its iconic flower ceiling, al fresco dining and a DJ that brings the coolest vibes – it's a spot you don't want to miss. Be sure to try some of its experimental cocktails, and line your stomach with a selection of small plates and fresh pasta. Location: Level 11, Canopy by Hilton London City, 11-15 Minories, EC3N 1AX Tube: Aldgate (Circle or Metropolitan lines) If you're a sucker for Italian-ish drinks, small dishes and stunning views then Forza Wine is another great find. Yes, there's wine, but the cocktail menu is another great selling point, with a rhubarb manhattan, apple tom collins and even a frozen cucumber margarita. There's two locations but Peckham really takes the cake. Location: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Lane, London, SE15 4BQ Train: Peckham Rye (connects to Jubilee and Northern Lines) You'll get some pretty unparalleled views of the skyline at this iconic venue, and although it's located mainly indoors it'll feel as though you're out in the open thanks to the surrounding greenery and huge picture windows. There are two bars to choose from – Sky Pod and City Garden – where you can sip your cocktail or G&T while watching the sunset, as well as three restaurants within the building. It's a must-visit, although be aware it doesn't come cheap – cocktails start at around £15, while the cheapest glass of wine will set you back a tenner. Location: Rooftop, Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Road London, SE1 8UL Tube: Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines) Moving further west, you can soak up the sunshine and the views at the Paddington-based Pergola – which has the feel of a beach venue with its rattan fixtures and fittings and palm trees dotted around. As well as cocktails you can also make the most of street food vendors serving up fried chicken, burgers and Japanese dishes (at time of writing: the menu changes from time to time). There's also a bottomless brunch on Sundays, and a DJ at weekends spinning timeless classics. You can book in advance if visiting in a group but there's space for walk-ins too. Location: 5 Kingdom St, London W2 6PY Tube: Paddington (Bakerloo, Hammersmith and City, Circle, District and Elizabeth Lines) Having opened in 2023, this rooftop gem has already made an impression, becoming very popular on TikTok. Offering stunning vistas of the iconic London skyline and lounge tables to get comfy on, it's the perfect place to unwind. Offering a unique blend of Japanese and Mexican food including sushi andtacos, you can indulge in delicious light but tasty bites. There's also Sunday sessions from 1pm to 9pm which offer DJ sets as you watch the sun go down. Location: 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 2AT Tube: Liverpool Street (Elizabeth, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines) In the heart of Soho you can indulge in a Turkish-inspired menu and divine cocktails at Yasmin. You can use this as a go-to spot for date nights, a catch up with friends or even private dining, six floors up. The best bites on offer are the sumac duck, chicken shish and the whipped sheep's cheese and flatbread. Location: 1 Warwick St, London W1B 5LR Tube: Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly line and the Bakerloo line) For those who like the finer things in life, venture to Seabird which offers panoramic views at 14 floors up, and oysters. At the top of The Hoxton you can indulge in some sangria, which is perfect for the sorching summer, or even frozen mojitos. It even has a late-night residency with Ronnie Scott offering classic jazz and bespoke martinis. Location: 40 Blackfriars Road, London, United Kingdom SE1 8PB Tube: Southwark (Jubilee line) If you prefer to glance out at Tower Bridge then head 12 floors up to Savage Garden. Indulge in live music, good wine and very funky cocktails – but it is on the pricier side. Perched on top of the Double Tree by Hilton it's elegant and chic, but it gets very busy so you'll probably want to book in advance. Location: Savage Garden, 7, Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF Tube: Tower Hill (Circle and District lines) Now hear us out on this one because it's atop the John Lewis flagship store, but it's a true find. Offering a stunning rooftop escape with breathtaking city views, private greenhouses, and an elegant open-air terrace, it's great for a laid back afternoon with friends. The menu features fruit-forward brambles; Kumquat Old Fashioned; and a Calamansi Margarita with a spiced ancho chili rim. As the sun sets, live DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights set the mood, making 1864 the ultimate spot for an elevated rooftop experience in the heart of London. Location: Sixth floor, 300 Oxford St, London W1C 1DX Tube: Oxford Circus and Bond Street (Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria lines and Jubilee and Elizabeth lines) Located on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel, Radio Rooftop not only offers a superb cocktail list, but also a 360-degree views that shows off the capital's skyline and the River Thames. More Trending It's a fabulous spot to chill out with a drink, as well as enjoy dishes from the seasonal menu – but be aware that it doesn't come cheap. A glass of champagne will set you back around £16, while a cocktail comes in at around £19. View More » Location: ME London, 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA Tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line)/Temple (Circle and District line) Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 'We need more spaces in London to nurture creativity' – how this venue is paving the way MORE: This is the best London neighbourhood to be LGBTQ+ in 2025 MORE: Widow fined more than £1,000 by parking wardens after council delays Blue Badge renewal Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
