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Handshake Speakeasy is ranked number one on The World's 50 Best Bars 2024. Yes, the best bar in the world according to that reference. I am lucky to live not too far from Mexico to experience what it is to be the best in the world. Reservations are a must! You do have an option to walk in, but it can vary from 45 minutes to an hour or even more depending on the day. I hear that sometimes when it is too busy, they turn people away due to too long of a wait. Once you are inside, you are limited to an hour and a half to enjoy. There are quite a few amazing creations of alcohol on the menu, and with a group of 4, I got to try 11 different drinks. We each had about three drinks, and another friend had one. I personally am drawn to sweeter cocktails just because it is much easier to drink, especially when you know you have to try more than one drink. I tried the Piña Colada, Matcha Yuzu, and Lychee Highball. These are types of drinks that girls will have no problem drinking. You can barely taste the alcohol because it is masked with a sweeter taste profile. If you really want to try something different, try Mexi-Thai, Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned, Cariño, and Once Upon in Oaxaca (plus a little something to enjoy). Other drinks that I also enjoyed were Earl Grey, Olive Oil Gimlet, Fig Martini, and Caprese. If you are looking for something non-alcoholic, tea champagnes are a great option. I tried the jasmin, and it was pretty decent. Ambiance is classic bar-like, dark with comfort couch seatings as well as high chairs with a large table you share with others. The host and all of its employees are very friendly and professional. They speak English with no problem for visitors like us. Awesome experience, and I will definitely be back next time I am in Mexico!
No food to comment on. The drinks are next level amazing. Things I would've never had anywhere else were amazing here. The whole menu is perfect. The speakeasy vibe is truly there when we went through a secret back entrance and the visuals of the drinks plus the aesthetic blew us away. The greetings were lowkey awesome too. Peanut butter jelly is my favorite though I could use more of the drink itself. The ice cubes are fancy and perfect but take a lot of space your drink would take up.
Booked this place when it was #3 in the world, but when I visited, it was ranked #1 (which was a week after announcement). Not sure if it was because of the announcement, but the queue for walk-ins was so long. It kind of ruined the "speakeasy" vibe. But that's not a factor in this review. When you arrive, be sure to find the black door with the 13. You will probably see a long line to your right (those are the folks with no reservation). For check-in, this is what happened for us... we walked up to the back door and someone came out and checked us in. We had to wait by the door (left side, away from the long line). After waiting for a brief moment, the door 13 will open and you will be taken inside Inside, you will have a brief moment with the staff. They will tell you about Handshake. After that, they will open the curtain and you will follow them in. The entire staff will welcome you! When you are seated, they will push in the chair for you if you are at a table or at the bar area. (You could be seated at the bar, at the middle table, or around the walls with low couch seating. Personally, I think the bar or the middle table is the best. We were seated at the middle table. The bar gives you a good view of the bartenders and the middle table gives you the best view of everything happening at the bar). They'll give you a warm towel for your hands/face and then they'll explain the menu. They are strict about that 90 min rule btw. We ordered 6 drinks total in the 90 minutes. You can also order food. Unfortunately what we wanted wasn't in service anymore so we just had the complementary nuts. All the drinks were really good (that we tried)... The Matcha Martini was probably the most complicated for me. The rest of the drinks were really harmonious, but the Matcha Martini seemed to be a fight/clash of flavors. It was also the most expensive cocktail (at $700). Overall, you can't go wrong with the cocktails though. Great opportunity to try different drinks. After you are done, you can head up to leave. The entire staff will bid you farewell. Note: the restrooms are by the hotel lobby
I understand why Handshake is one of the top bars in North America! It definitely lives up to the hype. From beginning to end the service was impeccable and even though we arrived late due to unforeseen circumstances, they still gave us a table so definitely appreciate that. The ambiance is very dark and romantic which I like but it was hard to read the menu. They give you nuts to snack on with your drinks as well but that star of the show was of course the cocktails. Some of the most unique cocktails I've had so far. The menu is very tea based so a lot of the cocktails had some sort of tea in it. I had an earl grey cocktail that was amazing and also had a champagne and tea cocktail that I really liked. If you're thinking about going to Handshake, don't hesitate just go!
Ordered: Piña Colada (MX $250): Torres 15 Brandy, pineapple, coconut, micro-coriander Lychee Highball (MX $300): Volcan Blanco Tahona Tequila, lychee, sake, Jasmine tea, soda Olive Oil Gimlet (MX $300): Don Julio Blanco Tequila, olive oil, apple, rosemary, lillet blanc Mexi-Thai (MX $300): Maestro Dobel Blanco Tequila, Makrut lime, coconut, tomato, basil oil Aya's take: Twice in the same trip, I sure am lucky! We had snagged a reservation to the downstairs section and were also able to snag a reservation to the upstairs section just 2 days later. Off the bat, I will say the downstairs speakeasy is superior. It's more lowkey, private, and spacious. The upstairs bar is at street level and the entrance doesn't feel as "cool" as the downstairs did. It was also distracting when people left that you can see the line of people waiting to get in. It definitely took away from the experience. As far as drinks, we decided to mostly try ones that were unique to the upstairs menu. Again, all the drinks are exceptionally made but they just didn't blow me away as the ones in the downstairs section did. My favorite of the 4 was the Lychee Highball as it was fruity and citrusy. Each drink had its own flavor profile so you will definitely find something you like here. Good try but I would stick to the downstairs section if you had to choose!
We had to stop by after knowing that this place ranked #3 in 2023 for top cocktail bars in the world. The drinks here are incredible honestly, the ice is clarified and you can barely even see it in your drink. I got the matcha drink and for the first time ever, I had matcha drink that wasn't green, it was see through like water but tasted like match and yogurt - amazing! My husband's drink was really good and very smooth, he opted for a mezcal drink and the presentation was very fancy! The interiors are dark and dim lit. Service was good! I do feel like we were rushed.
This might be the best bar I have ever been to - and the best part is we did not plan on going here! I was taking a look at the best 50 bars in the world list and saw that this bar had come in at number 3 for 2024. My brother and I decided to walk in right when the bar opened at 6 pm and luckily we were able to snag a spot! This is a speakeasy attached to a hotel and the experience in getting in is super fun and welcoming. Once we were inside they gave us complimentary warm towels to clean our hands and a bowl of a special nut mix they make which includes grasshoppers! They weren't that bad by the way I had some! For our drinks we ordered: *earl grey - my brother loved this drink and all the flavors - it was refreshing and a winner! * orange blossom - I absolutely loved this drink and enjoyed every sip. The subtle flavors all infused together was absolute perfection Overall, we had a fantastic time, and would recommend one to definitely go when in cdmx! This is a spot you absolutely should not miss!
#3 bar in the world per the world's 50 best bars list. WORTH IT. Definitely make a reservation. Most likely will not get in with a walk in, but you may be able to be walked in to their secondary bar Handshake Speakeasy Compromiso. If you can, though, definitely get the main bar, the true Handshake Speakeasy. Arrived on time for reservation but wasn't let in for about 30 min after, which had me a bit on edge, but everything was forgiven once we were actually inside and had the full experience. Sat at the bar, but there is table seating available too. Pamela was our bartender. Entire staff was incredibly high energy and made an effort to connect with patrons. Energetic music. Two page menu with three sections. Miniature classic cocktails, seasonal cocktails, and bar specialties. Tried six different drinks and every single one was delicious. High level of technicality and food science behind every drink. Almost every drink incorporated clarification. Complimentary bar nuts provided that includes grasshoppers. Officially my new favorite bar in the world. Previously was Bar Cham in South Korea.
Drinks: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Came here for drinks while I was in CDMX on vacation and checking off bars on the World's 50 Best list. Handshake won #3 in 2023 and was a great experience. Drinks we had from best to worst: PIÑA COLADA $250 Torres Brandy 15 - Pineapple - Coconut - Micro Coriander SWEET / TROPICAL / LONG MATCHA YUZU $250 Toki Whiskey - Matcha Tea - Vanilla - Yuzu - Whey HERBAL / ACIDIC / SHORT BUTTER MUSHROOM OLD FASHIONED $300 Maker's Mark Bourbon - Brown Butter - Mushroom - Maple COMPLEX / NUTTY / SHORT MEXI-THAI $250 Don Julio 70 - Makrut Lime - Coconut - Tomato - Basil Oil UMAMI / CITRUSY / SHORT All the drinks we got were quite tasty, although I'd skip the Mexi-thai if I go back. They also had complimentary nuts with chapulines (fried crickets), which were quite tasty. Decor was nice and dark. There's about 6 bar seats, a center table with about 8 seats, and then 4 side smaller tables with about 3-5 seats each. Service was good. Made reservations the day prior and were seated shortly upon arriving.
A divine speakeasy experience at the No. 3 world's 50 best bars in CDMX!! Be sure to set the alarm to reserve on OpenTable 14 days before your desired time. We discovered there were two seating areas, upstairs and in the basement. However, we weren't given a choice when making the reservation. Our other group of friends were seated in the upstairs level with a slightly different menu. For our section, we had a slightly larger menu with over 6 drinks to choose from. Our favorites were Saffron (simply delicious) and butter mushroom OF (spirit-forward). Handshake truly offers the best cocktails we had during our visit.
TL;DR: Great bar if you're more into batch/more uniquely flavored cocktails. Not the strongest of drinks (although at high altitude in CDMX you'll feel alcohol a bit more) and the decor is a little dark (go figure on a speakeasy), but otherwise a fun experience! Made a resy a few weeks in advance when they opened up online. Read some reviews that they actually have an upstairs and downstairs bar and you want to be seated at the upstairs one since it has the better drinks? Honesty not sure if that's true or not, but I did end up getting seated in the upstairs bar. My wife and I ordered 5 drinks total: Pina colada: This was my personal favorite drink. Not the frozen slushy drink you usually expect (although those are great, too), but a very light refreshing drink with strong coconut flavors. Earl Grey: Probably the least good drink we had. It was also super light and had a nice sweetness to it, but didn't really get any earl grey flavors. Fig Martini: Probably my wife's favorite. The fig flavor definitely showed through on this one although it kept pretty true to the martini drink profile. Carino: Probably the strongest drink we had amongst the five. Very creamy from the use of yogurt. It was interesting, but not something I'd itch to get again. Mex-Thai: This drink was probably my second favorite. I really liked the flavors in this. Tasted almost like a Thai curry which I know sounds weird, but it works! I've had a Thai curry flavored cocktail at another very popular cocktail bar in NYC and I think this one absolutely trumps the previous one I've had. Ambiance as mentioned before was a bit dim and dark. Not a very fun vibe imo, but I guess it falls in line with a speakeasy. Our server (and also we later learned one of the head bartenders), Javier, was initially pretty quiet. But after we started chatting with him he got a bit more friendly and talkative. Airdropped us a list of his favorite places in CDMX which was also helpful. We ended up trying another cocktail bar later in the trip he recommended that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten so shoutout to him! As we were walking out after our 90min limit, we saw people who were waiting since we got there. It seemed like a bit of a mess with the host trying to corral everyone and sort through people who had resys and people trying to walk-in. So word of advice -- definitely get a resy unless you just love waiting 90+ (probably closer to 2hrs) in line. As much as I like this place, that's just too long of a wait imo since there are so many other great bars in CDMX. That said, I had a really great time. Would definitely come back here again to try some of the other drinks. I've heard the food is a bit hit or miss, but would want to give it a try since it looked a bit tasty when we saw people getting it.
Listed as the #1 bar on the Planet. The location is inside of a hotel with a neat entrance in Mexico City. The music is upbeat and the staff informs you of all the ingredients that they put in the drinks to make them as unique and tasty as possible. The bar itself is dim and has a very elusive staircase that leads to the place. The drinks were great and all unique with them tasting just like their names.
Handshake speakeasy is on the list of the best bars in the world, and it is quite the experience. It's difficult to find, checking the speakeasy box! As you enter you are greeted by the friendly staff and they take the time to explain the cocktail menu. The cocktails here in some cases are reimagined classics, and others wonderful creations that require elaborate processes to create and become art. We ordered their mini rendition of the Negroni, and the coffee martini. Both were delicious, just well tiny. But we knew what we were getting into. Then we ventured into the specialty cocktails. Both cocktails had a story, and very wonderful presentation. My only complaint at least for the cocktails that I ordered is that the spirit nearly disappeared and I would've liked for it to shine more and be complemented by the other ingredients. Nevertheless, overall a cool experience, and a staple to visit if you are checking out the top bars in Mexico City.
The beverage company Perrier recently published their list of the 50 best bars in the world and Handshake Speakeasy Bar in Mexico City won 1st place! It was very close to my hotel and I visited last week due to its fame and the fact that a friend of mine visited a few months ago and told me about it. First piece of advice is to seriously make a reservation. Due to its popularity and world ranking everyone wants to come to Handshake for a drink. They do take walkups too. They have 2 bars now in the same building and are almost identical in inside appearance. One bar is reached by going down a circular stairway to the building basement. Entering in it gives you that "speakeasy" feel to it and I believe that one is the original. The other bar is on the street level floor and the one I visited. When you are admitted you are led into a dark but attractive room and shown where to sit. You are also informed that your time period of visiting the bar is limited to one hour. In other words this isn't the kind of place you come to spend the evening at. The staff here are all committed to making the "experience" of coming here a memorable one. After being seated the waiter presented me with a warm and slightly wet hand towel to freshen up with. Then the drink menu is delivered and any questions about the drinks are answered. The waiters are also the mixologists and are obviously very knowledgeable and professional. I thought 1 drink would be all I want and ordered an Orange Blossom for $300 pesos. It arrived about 10 minutes later in a short glass and one very big ice cube. I thought it was delicious tasting and perfectly refreshing with its silver tequila, jasmine tea, lemon vanilla and orange blossom. I seriously thought about ordering another but then decided that I should try a different drink at this best bar in the world. So for my second, I asked for a Mexi Thai cocktail for another $300 pesos. This drink was also served in a short glass with another tequila brand and lime coconut, basil and tomato. That drink was very good too with a different citrus taste that was also a little savory. Both drinks were so smooth to drink and perfectly tasting. This bar oozes with quality. It has a great atmosphere with excellent music and a very cool and dark, romantic vibe. I can understand its world class ranking and recommend a trip to CDMX should include a visit here. read more
22 days ago
A very unique speakeasy. I was able to book a reservation through WhatsApp, which I highly recommend doing because otherwise you may have to wait a long time or not get in at all. When you enter, you'll be enthusiastically greeted by the staff. The bartenders are great, and the drinks are also good. It has a dark, elegant atmosphere as soon as you walk in. Drinks are reasonably priced. read more
#1 cocktail bar in the world - say what?! And it's truly a full speakeasy experience where you get taken behind ordinary doors in a very normal building that you would otherwise not pay attention to when you walk by... Handshake recently was ranked #1 cocktail bar in the world and I am so glad to learn about that right before this CDMX trip! Highly recommend everyone to come and get a taste of as many unique cocktails as you can in 90 mins :) We were incredibly lucky - timing is everything and everything is timing, right?! Reservations can be made on open table so if you have an upcoming CDMX trip, take a look! Otherwise, they do accommodate walk ins but your wait time will be a gamble. We got to visit the downstairs bar which I've been told is newer, smaller, some say it's better. I'm just glad we got in! There is a row of bar seating (which I soooooo wanted to try because you get to see the incredible skilled bartenders work their magic) and very intimate wall / low stool seating. Upon entrance, we were told by our informative and professional bar tender about a 90 min limit. Two of us ended up ordering 5 drinks and we absolutely LOVED: - peanut butter jelly - banana split We also enjoyed guava & jasmine, pina colada, and mexi-thai. Honestly everything was unique, refreshing, tasty, and how well everything mixed in each drink was lovely. For drinks with ice, they were perfect clear ice cubes. The attention to every detail from service to drinks, were off the charts perfecto. No wonder they are ranked #1 cocktail bar in the world. Can't wait to be back!!!! Already terribly missing the pbj and banana split. These two drinks made such a strong impression :) read more
2 years ago
Handshake Speakeasy is ranked number one on The World's 50 Best Bars 2024. Yes, the best bar in the world according to that reference. I am lucky to live not too far from Mexico to experience what it is to be the best in the world. Reservations are a must! You do have an option to walk in, but it can vary from 45 minutes to an hour or even more depending on the day. I hear that sometimes when it is too busy, they turn people away due to too long of a wait. Once you are inside, you are limited to an hour and a half to enjoy. There are quite a few amazing creations of alcohol on the menu, and with a group of 4, I got to try 11 different drinks. We each had about three drinks, and another friend had one. I personally am drawn to sweeter cocktails just because it is much easier to drink, especially when you know you have to try more than one drink. I tried the Piña Colada, Matcha Yuzu, and Lychee Highball. These are types of drinks that girls will have no problem drinking. You can barely taste the alcohol because it is masked with a sweeter taste profile. If you really want to try something different, try Mexi-Thai, Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned, Cariño, and Once Upon in Oaxaca (plus a little something to enjoy). Other drinks that I also enjoyed were Earl Grey, Olive Oil Gimlet, Fig Martini, and Caprese. If you are looking for something non-alcoholic, tea champagnes are a great option. I tried the jasmin, and it was pretty decent. Ambiance is classic bar-like, dark with comfort couch seatings as well as high chairs with a large table you share with others. The host and all of its employees are very friendly and professional. They speak English with no problem for visitors like us. Awesome experience, and I will definitely be back next time I am in Mexico! read more
No food to comment on. The drinks are next level amazing. Things I would've never had anywhere else were amazing here. The whole menu is perfect. The speakeasy vibe is truly there when we went through a secret back entrance and the visuals of the drinks plus the aesthetic blew us away. The greetings were lowkey awesome too. Peanut butter jelly is my favorite though I could use more of the drink itself. The ice cubes are fancy and perfect but take a lot of space your drink would take up. read more
Booked this place when it was #3 in the world, but when I visited, it was ranked #1 (which was a week after announcement). Not sure if it was because of the announcement, but the queue for walk-ins was so long. It kind of ruined the "speakeasy" vibe. But that's not a factor in this review. When you arrive, be sure to find the black door with the 13. You will probably see a long line to your right (those are the folks with no reservation). For check-in, this is what happened for us... we walked up to the back door and someone came out and checked us in. We had to wait by the door (left side, away from the long line). After waiting for a brief moment, the door 13 will open and you will be taken inside Inside, you will have a brief moment with the staff. They will tell you about Handshake. After that, they will open the curtain and you will follow them in. The entire staff will welcome you! When you are seated, they will push in the chair for you if you are at a table or at the bar area. (You could be seated at the bar, at the middle table, or around the walls with low couch seating. Personally, I think the bar or the middle table is the best. We were seated at the middle table. The bar gives you a good view of the bartenders and the middle table gives you the best view of everything happening at the bar). They'll give you a warm towel for your hands/face and then they'll explain the menu. They are strict about that 90 min rule btw. We ordered 6 drinks total in the 90 minutes. You can also order food. Unfortunately what we wanted wasn't in service anymore so we just had the complementary nuts. All the drinks were really good (that we tried)... The Matcha Martini was probably the most complicated for me. The rest of the drinks were really harmonious, but the Matcha Martini seemed to be a fight/clash of flavors. It was also the most expensive cocktail (at $700). Overall, you can't go wrong with the cocktails though. Great opportunity to try different drinks. After you are done, you can head up to leave. The entire staff will bid you farewell. Note: the restrooms are by the hotel lobby read more
I understand why Handshake is one of the top bars in North America! It definitely lives up to the hype. From beginning to end the service was impeccable and even though we arrived late due to unforeseen circumstances, they still gave us a table so definitely appreciate that. The ambiance is very dark and romantic which I like but it was hard to read the menu. They give you nuts to snack on with your drinks as well but that star of the show was of course the cocktails. Some of the most unique cocktails I've had so far. The menu is very tea based so a lot of the cocktails had some sort of tea in it. I had an earl grey cocktail that was amazing and also had a champagne and tea cocktail that I really liked. If you're thinking about going to Handshake, don't hesitate just go! read more
Ordered: Piña Colada (MX $250): Torres 15 Brandy, pineapple, coconut, micro-coriander Lychee Highball (MX $300): Volcan Blanco Tahona Tequila, lychee, sake, Jasmine tea, soda Olive Oil Gimlet (MX $300): Don Julio Blanco Tequila, olive oil, apple, rosemary, lillet blanc Mexi-Thai (MX $300): Maestro Dobel Blanco Tequila, Makrut lime, coconut, tomato, basil oil Aya's take: Twice in the same trip, I sure am lucky! We had snagged a reservation to the downstairs section and were also able to snag a reservation to the upstairs section just 2 days later. Off the bat, I will say the downstairs speakeasy is superior. It's more lowkey, private, and spacious. The upstairs bar is at street level and the entrance doesn't feel as "cool" as the downstairs did. It was also distracting when people left that you can see the line of people waiting to get in. It definitely took away from the experience. As far as drinks, we decided to mostly try ones that were unique to the upstairs menu. Again, all the drinks are exceptionally made but they just didn't blow me away as the ones in the downstairs section did. My favorite of the 4 was the Lychee Highball as it was fruity and citrusy. Each drink had its own flavor profile so you will definitely find something you like here. Good try but I would stick to the downstairs section if you had to choose! read more
We had to stop by after knowing that this place ranked #3 in 2023 for top cocktail bars in the world. The drinks here are incredible honestly, the ice is clarified and you can barely even see it in your drink. I got the matcha drink and for the first time ever, I had matcha drink that wasn't green, it was see through like water but tasted like match and yogurt - amazing! My husband's drink was really good and very smooth, he opted for a mezcal drink and the presentation was very fancy! The interiors are dark and dim lit. Service was good! I do feel like we were rushed. read more
2 years ago
This might be the best bar I have ever been to - and the best part is we did not plan on going here! I was taking a look at the best 50 bars in the world list and saw that this bar had come in at number 3 for 2024. My brother and I decided to walk in right when the bar opened at 6 pm and luckily we were able to snag a spot! This is a speakeasy attached to a hotel and the experience in getting in is super fun and welcoming. Once we were inside they gave us complimentary warm towels to clean our hands and a bowl of a special nut mix they make which includes grasshoppers! They weren't that bad by the way I had some! For our drinks we ordered: *earl grey - my brother loved this drink and all the flavors - it was refreshing and a winner! * orange blossom - I absolutely loved this drink and enjoyed every sip. The subtle flavors all infused together was absolute perfection Overall, we had a fantastic time, and would recommend one to definitely go when in cdmx! This is a spot you absolutely should not miss! read more
2 years ago
#3 bar in the world per the world's 50 best bars list. WORTH IT. Definitely make a reservation. Most likely will not get in with a walk in, but you may be able to be walked in to their secondary bar Handshake Speakeasy Compromiso. If you can, though, definitely get the main bar, the true Handshake Speakeasy. Arrived on time for reservation but wasn't let in for about 30 min after, which had me a bit on edge, but everything was forgiven once we were actually inside and had the full experience. Sat at the bar, but there is table seating available too. Pamela was our bartender. Entire staff was incredibly high energy and made an effort to connect with patrons. Energetic music. Two page menu with three sections. Miniature classic cocktails, seasonal cocktails, and bar specialties. Tried six different drinks and every single one was delicious. High level of technicality and food science behind every drink. Almost every drink incorporated clarification. Complimentary bar nuts provided that includes grasshoppers. Officially my new favorite bar in the world. Previously was Bar Cham in South Korea. read more
Drinks: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Came here for drinks while I was in CDMX on vacation and checking off bars on the World's 50 Best list. Handshake won #3 in 2023 and was a great experience. Drinks we had from best to worst: PIÑA COLADA $250 Torres Brandy 15 - Pineapple - Coconut - Micro Coriander SWEET / TROPICAL / LONG MATCHA YUZU $250 Toki Whiskey - Matcha Tea - Vanilla - Yuzu - Whey HERBAL / ACIDIC / SHORT BUTTER MUSHROOM OLD FASHIONED $300 Maker's Mark Bourbon - Brown Butter - Mushroom - Maple COMPLEX / NUTTY / SHORT MEXI-THAI $250 Don Julio 70 - Makrut Lime - Coconut - Tomato - Basil Oil UMAMI / CITRUSY / SHORT All the drinks we got were quite tasty, although I'd skip the Mexi-thai if I go back. They also had complimentary nuts with chapulines (fried crickets), which were quite tasty. Decor was nice and dark. There's about 6 bar seats, a center table with about 8 seats, and then 4 side smaller tables with about 3-5 seats each. Service was good. Made reservations the day prior and were seated shortly upon arriving. read more
A divine speakeasy experience at the No. 3 world's 50 best bars in CDMX!! Be sure to set the alarm to reserve on OpenTable 14 days before your desired time. We discovered there were two seating areas, upstairs and in the basement. However, we weren't given a choice when making the reservation. Our other group of friends were seated in the upstairs level with a slightly different menu. For our section, we had a slightly larger menu with over 6 drinks to choose from. Our favorites were Saffron (simply delicious) and butter mushroom OF (spirit-forward). Handshake truly offers the best cocktails we had during our visit. read more
TL;DR: Great bar if you're more into batch/more uniquely flavored cocktails. Not the strongest of drinks (although at high altitude in CDMX you'll feel alcohol a bit more) and the decor is a little dark (go figure on a speakeasy), but otherwise a fun experience! Made a resy a few weeks in advance when they opened up online. Read some reviews that they actually have an upstairs and downstairs bar and you want to be seated at the upstairs one since it has the better drinks? Honesty not sure if that's true or not, but I did end up getting seated in the upstairs bar. My wife and I ordered 5 drinks total: Pina colada: This was my personal favorite drink. Not the frozen slushy drink you usually expect (although those are great, too), but a very light refreshing drink with strong coconut flavors. Earl Grey: Probably the least good drink we had. It was also super light and had a nice sweetness to it, but didn't really get any earl grey flavors. Fig Martini: Probably my wife's favorite. The fig flavor definitely showed through on this one although it kept pretty true to the martini drink profile. Carino: Probably the strongest drink we had amongst the five. Very creamy from the use of yogurt. It was interesting, but not something I'd itch to get again. Mex-Thai: This drink was probably my second favorite. I really liked the flavors in this. Tasted almost like a Thai curry which I know sounds weird, but it works! I've had a Thai curry flavored cocktail at another very popular cocktail bar in NYC and I think this one absolutely trumps the previous one I've had. Ambiance as mentioned before was a bit dim and dark. Not a very fun vibe imo, but I guess it falls in line with a speakeasy. Our server (and also we later learned one of the head bartenders), Javier, was initially pretty quiet. But after we started chatting with him he got a bit more friendly and talkative. Airdropped us a list of his favorite places in CDMX which was also helpful. We ended up trying another cocktail bar later in the trip he recommended that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten so shoutout to him! As we were walking out after our 90min limit, we saw people who were waiting since we got there. It seemed like a bit of a mess with the host trying to corral everyone and sort through people who had resys and people trying to walk-in. So word of advice -- definitely get a resy unless you just love waiting 90+ (probably closer to 2hrs) in line. As much as I like this place, that's just too long of a wait imo since there are so many other great bars in CDMX. That said, I had a really great time. Would definitely come back here again to try some of the other drinks. I've heard the food is a bit hit or miss, but would want to give it a try since it looked a bit tasty when we saw people getting it. read more
1 year ago
Listed as the #1 bar on the Planet. The location is inside of a hotel with a neat entrance in Mexico City. The music is upbeat and the staff informs you of all the ingredients that they put in the drinks to make them as unique and tasty as possible. The bar itself is dim and has a very elusive staircase that leads to the place. The drinks were great and all unique with them tasting just like their names. read more
Handshake speakeasy is on the list of the best bars in the world, and it is quite the experience. It's difficult to find, checking the speakeasy box! As you enter you are greeted by the friendly staff and they take the time to explain the cocktail menu. The cocktails here in some cases are reimagined classics, and others wonderful creations that require elaborate processes to create and become art. We ordered their mini rendition of the Negroni, and the coffee martini. Both were delicious, just well tiny. But we knew what we were getting into. Then we ventured into the specialty cocktails. Both cocktails had a story, and very wonderful presentation. My only complaint at least for the cocktails that I ordered is that the spirit nearly disappeared and I would've liked for it to shine more and be complemented by the other ingredients. Nevertheless, overall a cool experience, and a staple to visit if you are checking out the top bars in Mexico City. read more
2 years ago
First night in CDMX and had to check out the number 1 bar in North America. I was able to snag a late night reservation when their reservations opened up. It was the perfect time for us. I had high hopes and they did not disappoint!!! The ambiance was intimate and sexy. The bartenders and service were top notch. The drinks were AMAZING!!! My boyfriend and I each had 3 drinks in the 90 minute time frame and we didn't feel rushed. It was worth the hype! I can't say enough about this place. I'd highly recommend it. read more
Absolutely incredible bar. Booked in advance and honestly every cocktail on the menu was on point. we never got a bad drink. from the warm towels when we got sat to the bar snacks, everything was so thought out and the service was impeccable. You can see why they're 3rd in the world. Without a doubt, to e matcha martini was the best drink I ordered. Still dreaming about it today. Ambiance is small but never felt crowded due to the way they handle time at the tables. 5/5 experience. read more
Worth the hype as long as you can get a reservation and not end up at their mediocre site Compromiso (make sure to switch to Spanish language when booking thru Open Table). The space is small but the bartenders will make you feel right at home as soon as the host ushers you in, yelling "Bienvenidos!" It is dark, intimate, and beautifully designed. There are 7 bar stool seats where you can watch all the magic happens on one end of the room. There is a center table, and booths wrap around the other end of the room. It is quite loud, so if you're looking for a calm whispery golf/poetry corner snapping type of place this isn't it. This is also not a place where you can expect to get drunk. The menu boasts four areas: mini cocktails, light and refreshing drinks (fruit and tea forward), stronger blended cocktails, and non alcoholic creations. Everything is well crafted and delicately balanced. We especially loved the guava jasmine tea cocktail (floral and lightly sweetened), Mex-Thai (tastes like tom yum soup), and butter mushroom old fashioned (buttery and deep notes; also comes with cute mushroom stalks). Bartenders are super friendly and helpful. Definitely make a reservation weeks in advance, and make sure you don't select the Compromiso option. read more
2 years ago
Great cocktails, a great time! Only downfall is I ordered an espresso martini to start, I thought it was only available in mini. When another person in my group asked they were given different size options. Wish I would've known this. Other than that, staff is awesome in describing each drink. We had espresso martinis, fig martini, Cariño, piña colada, matcha martini, and vesper martini. Really appreciated they listened to my note about celebrating a birthday! Lovely ambiance, would make a great date night. Will come again! Con: Our nut mix was missing chapulines. Bathroom is far. Make sure you check in with someone outside with the tablet, we didn't know this. We just thought we knocked since we had a reservation. Otherwise everything went smoothly. read more
Visited Handshake during a recent trip to CDMX with a few friends. There were seven of us and we reserved a month or so prior. A reservation is a must. This place being top 3 in the most recent World's Best Bars rankings definitely got me excited. When you get to the location, there's a black door with a number 13 on it. We figured we were in the right place since there were people waiting outside. A team member greeted us and checked our reservation. From that point on we probably waited 15-20 minutes until we finally got inside. When you walk in, you can already tell it's an elevated cocktail drinking experience. They explain how "the place works" just like a server would at a nice fine dining restaurant. They walked us through the menu, offered us warm hand towels, gave us water and nuts with chapulines- definitely a "fine drinking" experience. The place is a little dark and can be a little loud, but it is definitely nice and elegant at the same time. Our drinks were all good and they explained every detail of the specific drink making process which was super cool. I got the once upon a time in Oaxaca and butter mushroom old fashioned - both very good and definitely gave me a decent buzz. The only downside to this place is the time limit. You only get 75 minutes and I think it's not enough. It's like you're feeling good and about to order your third or fourth drink but nevermind tjme is up lol. And they are strict with the timekeeping. Pro tip - to be efficient try to order all your drinks at once so you don't have to waste time waiting for the server to come back to order your next drink. I definitely recommend this place if you're in CDMX! read more
Ranked #1 bar in North America. Tip: arrive on time. They allow a 15-minute grace period, after which your reservation is canceled. Entry is an unadorned, ambiguous black door with only a 13 on it. Once inside, you have 90 minutes, which is plenty. Decor is art deco. Music is modern but not overwhelming. Service is top notch. Drinks are truly unique and creative. Flavors are bright and fresh. Overall, a very cool experience. read more
3 years ago
***The World's 50 Best Bars (2022): #11*** Coming in at #11 on The World's 50 Best Bars list is Handshake Speakeasy. This was a place I was very excited to check out, and I'm happy to report that it definitely exceeded expectations. Our reservation for two (easily made on OpenTable) was on a Friday night around 8:15pm. We arrived a little early, but we were able to get seated right away. With two seats at the bar, we got to see all of the action right in front of us, interact with the bartenders, and ask as many questions as we could come up with. To drink, we ordered quite a few rounds, starting with the Chica De Humo and Matcha Yuzu. We were also a little hungry, so we decided to split the Chawan Mushi and Watermelon Ceviche. Multiple rounds of drinks ensued, including the Once Upon In Oaxaca, Butter-Mushroom Old Fashioned, and more. To finish off, I had to order a mezcal margarita (not on the menu) and a beer, while my friend ordered a mini espresso martini. All of the drinks were truly exceptional, and the service was impeccable. Decor and ambience were on point, as well. read more
We went because it was voted the best bar in North America. I highly recommend reservations so you don't have to wait in line. The line wasn't excessively long but I imagine at times that it could be. We had a reservation so here's how things worked. We couldn't find it at first, but you have to look out for the black door with the number 13. Once your reservation is confirmed, you are escorted down the staircase for entry to the downstairs bar. Apparently there's also an upstairs bar and both play different types of music. The downstairs bar played 80s and 90s (possibly 2000s) hip-hop. You're given a time allotment of 90 minutes, which is plenty of time, The decor is art deco and well done. It's dimly lit which adds to the ambience. The cocktails are creative and imaginative with varying taste profiles. We tried Guava -Jasmine, Piña Colada, Salt and Pepper, and Mexi Thai. All very interesting. They give you complementary nuts with crickets. I did not partake. The experience is worth it to say that you've been. read more
RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST! Now that we got that out of the way... Wow. I know why this place made the top 50 bars in the world list. Your senses are tantalized in so many ways, and you are really transported into a special place. The servers make you feel special and that it's a melding of the people + the drinks that make this place feel unique. We went on a joy ride of the menu. We had 4 cocktails each and leaned into each page to be well versed by the end. The Strawberry Pancake was a sleeper hit in my opinion as it honestly was more like a chocolate covered strawberry. Maybe the pancake part came from a little bit of salty combo with the sweet. It was one of the best balanced drinks I've ever had. The Coco Bongo was refreshing as hell with such a fantastic combo of coconut, lemongrass, and pandan with the gin. I order this 2x as I needed a solid revisit. Mexi Thai was another hit. You cannot go wrong. You will fall in love with the details along with carefree vibes here too. We stayed and shut the place down. The fun music also helped kept our energy in pure party mood too! One of the best bars I've ever visited! read more
Okay let's start off with finding this place: my friend and I got dropped off right in front of it without realizing we were there. Given it's a speakeasy we had to find our way. Took us about 15 minutes until we finally found it. (Hint: black door) We arrived without reservations - but it is strongly recommended. We were seated in about 10 minutes or less in the reservation room. Upon entering it's a small room so it can feel a little crowded. We were able to sit in the middle table which was nice but your also sitting across and next to strangers. Nonetheless, we were fine with it since we had not made any reservations. The drinks!! I got a niña fresa and it was sweet and fresh! After our first one I got to try the piña colada and oh my!! I've never had anything like it before! By far one of the top best drinks I've had!! It wasn't like a regular drink - it was special! It's was refreshing in a way that it wasn't also overly sweet it was just perfect! I could taste the notes of pineapple - it was perfection! The ambiance was also great - felt like a fancy laid back place. The staff were really nice and informative on the drinks which was awesome! I would had liked to see the bottom floor as they said it was more roomy and open but by the time we had finished our drinks it was already closed calls. Definitely worth the trip! And will be back again. read more
2 years ago
First of all, the ambiance is lovely. It's a little loud but the music is poppin and the vibes are immaculate. Second, the drinks are gorgeous. I had the "once upon a time in Oaxaca" (that's an experience), and the coconut + tarragon signature cocktail (made with tarragon infused olive oil and sherry - my favorite type of alcohol). I feel like both drinks really had the spirit of Mexico in them which is what I wanted! The workers are all very kind and attentive, and they all speak English very well (there were lots of other foreigners here besides me). I came by myself and had a wonderful time but it's great for groups or dates for sure!! I also tried the scallop taro dish which was quite fun, but the flavor of scallop isn't terribly strong (you mostly get avocado and sauce on top of the crunchy base - all of which are delicious though!). They also greet you with a loud "Bienvenidos" and a warm towel for your hands when you arrive, as well as a bowl of trail mix that contains dried crickets (they're actually pretty good - try them!). There are so many fun drinks on the menu and my friends recommend other food too (eg I heard great things about the mushroom toast). Overall I would ABSOLUTELY rec making a reservation at handshake! You get a 90 minute visit for that reservation, and it's truly an experience. Also when you show up, don't worry if you knock and nobody comes to the door right away - there's a camera and they know you're there, they just may be clearing out leaving customers prior you coming in since it's a small single room. Don't be like me and accidentally walk in through the emergency exit and confuse everyone lol. Oh and the place is just a single black door with a 13 on it, there's no door handle. It's on your left as you walk into the apartment building it's on the first floor of. 10/10 you gotta visit! I'm gonna come back to try more drinks next time I visit Mexico City - based on my friends prior recs, I think the menu does seem to seasonally change, so lots to try! read more
3 years ago
We walked in and everyone yells "Bienvenidos!" It is a small, dark bar, with some high tables and some low couches. The menu is set up so you can order cocktails in "courses." I had the best cocktail of my life at this bar - the Matcha Yuzu Whiskey drink. The presentation of all drinks was impecable and the servers were so helpful. read more
Although the standard and quality of drinks here is undoubtedly high, it's hard to comprehend that there are no bars that are better than this! We had a 12:30am res in the lower level of the bar. The experience felt a little operationalized and not particularly personal, but the drinks are super interesting and inventive! read more
2 years ago
Definitely a tourist hot spot and in my opinion so worth it. The front entrance/waiting area is a bit chaotic. Every person for themselves. Once inside it's a total vibe. Beautiful decor, amazing drinks, and perfect service. We sat at the lower area and it was intimate with great music. There are no vegan options so this was a great place to get some drinks and then food later on. read more
2 years ago
I totally understand why this is the #3 best bar in the world. The place is dark and decorated really nice. As you enter/exit the entire staff cheer "Bienvenidos" or "Adios" and you instantly feel the great service. Our server asked our preferred language "English" or "Spanish" and explained everything to us in Spanish and gave amazing recommendations. They give you a bowl of nuts with grasshoppers at your table. There wasn't one drink that I didn't like from the once's I tried. I will list from my most favorite to least. Most Favorite to Least Favorite: Big in Japan Once Upon in Oaxaca Matcha Dame Blanche Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned Banana Split Cariño Fig Martini You should definitely check this place out if you're in Mexico City. You do need reservations so make sure to book them a week ahead. read more
During my short stay in Mexico City, this place stood out as the absolute best, and it will always be a highlight of my trip. I was fortunate that my friend snagged reservations weeks in advance, which is a testament to how many incredible restaurants and bars there are in Mexico City. Planning months ahead is a must. You have to try their diverse drinks--my favorite was the Matcha Yuzu. And don't leave the bar without daring each other to try the toasted crickets, cleverly hidden in the complimentary cup of assorted nuts. read more
An absolute must visit. I don't want to ruin any surprises but Handshake Speakeasy is an experience. The drinks were phenomenal (Espresso Martini, Pina Colada, Mexi-Thai and so was the service. You get a menu with three different courses to choose from. The menu was so diverse and the aesthetics here were gorgeous. They have light food as well but I only enjoyed the drinks. It was here I had the best pina colada I've ever had! Each drink was so well-crafted and the environment here is so fun. This speakeasy has bar, table and lounge seating to accommodate small parties and large groups alike. If you're in CDMX this is one you won't want to miss. read more
Great bar that seems to have a line out the door to get in. Service is kind and helpful, a really fun bar. Bartenders are cute ;) The drinks were really light and delicious. There is a 1hr20m time limit. I loved the matcha yuzu and piña colada! Drinks are clarified. I understand why it's one of the top 10 bars in the world! read more
2 years ago
DO NOT EAT THE FOOD! I got a serious case of travelers diarrhea after eating here. Drinks were fantastic, but whichever restaurant they are partnering with is not taking proper cleanliness precautions. I know it was this restaurant because I was the only person in my group to eat the food (Short rib and mushrooms dish) and I was on the toilet 4 hours later. What a shame! read more
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More info about Handshake Speakeasy Bar
Calle Amberes 65
06500 México, D.F.
Mexico
Juárez
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55 2953 8182
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Handshake Speakeasy Bar - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026
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