50 Best Bars

A Cornelia Street Speakeasy Was Just Named the Best Bar in North America

A two-level hotspot merging Japanese and American influences, Sip & Guzzle is located just two doors down from Taylor Swift's famed Cornelia Street townhouse

By Tim Chan

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April 23, 2026

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A New York City bar on Cornelia Street (yes, that Cornelia Street) has been named the Best Bar in North America for 2026.

Sip & Guzzle in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village topped this year’s list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, with judges from the “50 Best” guide praising the dual-concept hotspot for its “dynamic approach to hospitality, and expertly executed drinks program.”

Led by longtime Japanese bartending legend Shingo Gokan and famed NYC speakeasy Employees Only alum Steve Schneider, Sip & Guzzle describes itself as a place where “the best of New York and Tokyo” converge, fusing ingredients and recipes from both metropolitan cities (the owners also like to tell a story imagining what it would be like if Japanese samurai opened a bar). The two-level speakeasy — located just two doors down from Taylor Swift’s Cornelia Street townhouse — offers a lively walk-in hotspot on the ground floor (Guzzle) and an intimate and refined cocktail bar on the lower level (Sip). Sip & Guzzle moved up to the top spot after debuting at number five on last year’s 50 Best Bars list.

The number two bar in North America for 2026 is Mexico City’s Bar Mauro, followed by New York City’s Bar Snack at number three. This year’s Three Cents Best New Opening Award goes to Schmuck, which opened last January in the East Village and debuts at number four on the Best Bars list this year. Rounding out the top five is Tlecān, a Mexico City mezcaleria known for its artisanal agave spirits.

Schmuck Bar in New York

This year’s list of North America’s 50 Best Bars was announced Wednesday at a live awards ceremony at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The annual ranking is voted on by a panel of more than 300 bar experts, spanning industry leaders, bartenders, and press who choose bars from across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean that display “excellence in drinks, hospitality and innovation.”

Other bars that made this year’s list include New Orleans’ Jewel of the South (at number six); Los Angeles’ Mírate (number 28); Brooklyn’s Bar Madonna (number 36); and Miami’s Café La Trova (number 42). The Best Bar in Canada is Vancouver’s the Keefer Bar, which came in at number seven on the list. The rankings also extend across the wider region, with La Factoría in San Juan (number 26) named Best Bar in the Caribbean. Other Caribbean honorees include Library by the Sea from Grand Cayman and Bon Vivants in Nassau.

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“The bars on this year’s list are exemplary in their ability to push boundaries and influence hospitality not only in North America, but across the globe,” says Emma Sleight, head of content for North America’s 50 Best Bars. “From established leaders to exciting new entries, the bars featured continue to push the standard of what a world-class drinks experience can be with their talent, creativity, and resilience.”

Last year’s top bar, Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, was ranked at number 12 for 2026. You can see the full list of North America’s 50 Best Bars online here.

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