To say the sunshine and warmer weather make us feel some type of way would be the understatement of the century, and honestly all we have on our minds is frolicking around NYC to grab drinks with our friends. And if you had the same thing on your mind you’re in luck–North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 have been unveiled and not one but two NYC spots made the top five, and they should be first on your radar when looking for somewhere to grab a drink.
This April marks a unique time because not only do we get to see which bars have been named the top 50 best in North America for 2025, but we also got a look at the extended ranking, which shows #51 through #100, for the first time ever just two weeks ago! We already knew NYC’s bar scene was unmatched, but with all these rankings our heads are getting a bit big…
You’ll definitely see some familiar faces on the list this year if you browsed North America’s 50 Best Bars list back in 2024, particularly the East Village’s Superbueno, which maintained its title of North America’s second best bar.
A collaboration between industry veteran Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez and Greg Boehm, Superbueno is an ode to Mexican-American culture. This is clearly seen through its inventive cocktail list that puts the spotlight on some amazing Mexican flavors.
Drinks include the Mole Negroni, which combines mole fat-washed mezcal, amari blend, and xocolatl bitters, the Roasted Corn Sour, with corn whiskey, reposado tequila, roasted corn, guajillo, lemon, and egg white, or the Salted Plum & Tamarind Milk Punch, with charanda, ayuuk, salted plum & tamarind, lojana tea, and milk.
The food menu features dishes that mesh the flavors of Mexico and NYC just as well, with bites including Flautas Ahogadas, Dorilocos With Ceviche Del Dia, Birria Grilled Cheese, and Al Pastor Yaki Tacos.
The ranking writes:
Opened in 2023 as an homage to the Mexican-American experience, Superbueno’s singular exploration of bold flavours tied up in an irresistibly fun package has kept the bar as one of the hottest in town. It’s another super year for Superbueno as it retains its No.2 position following its superlative debut into the ranking in 2024, alongside the title of The Best Bar in Northeast USA, sponsored by Naked Malt.
NYC’s swanky bar-meets-restaurant Sip & Guzzle, serving traditional izakaya fare, Japanese street food, and mouthwatering cocktails that throw a nod to Japan, took the #5 spot on the list, which is impressive considering it’s a new entry but not surprising considering it comes from two globally acclaimed mixologists–Shingo Gokan of The SG Club (named the 14th best bar in Asia and the 36th best in the world) and NYC legend Steve Schneider of Employees Only.
Sip & Guzzle is actually two separate, unique spaces: Guzzle, an 1860s-inspired saloon on the ground-level, and Sip, its subterranean speakeasy counterpart.
Guzzle aims to give guests the vibes of a circa 1860 New York saloon with its old brick and classic millwork and standout cocktails such as the Super Lychee Martini, made with The SG Shochu Kome, lychee, vodka, raspberry, grapefruit, and rose, and the Whiskey Cosmo, made with high-proof bourbon whiskey, The SG Shochu Mugi, cointreau, cranberry cordial, and citrus.
Sip, on the other hand, is an elegant bar conjuring 1860s Edo (Old Tokyo) serving reinterpreted cocktails from The SG Club–each which reference Japan in some way–such as the Gimlet Over Rice, made with The SG Shochu Kome, pineapple, cucumber, lemongrass, and absinthe, and the Tomato Tree, made with Roku Gin, fruit, flower, leaf, and sap.
The ranking writes:
Bar legends and long-time collaborators Steve Schneider and Shingo Gokan reunited to open Sip & Guzzle in New York: a two-storey, two-bar venue in Greenwich Village. Expect laid-back and lively service at Guzzle upstairs, and formal, Japanese-inflected service at Sip below. With a staggering top five debut, Sip & Guzzle is the winner of the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award 2025.
Beyond Superbueno and Sip & Guzzle, 11 NYC bars in total made the top 50. They’re as follows:
50 best bars in North America 2025, NYC standouts:
- Superbueno – #2
- Sip & Guzzle – #5
- Overstory – #6
- Clemente Bar – #11
- Martiny’s – #15
- Employees Only – #18
- Double Chicken Please – #19
- Maison Premiere – #33
- Katana Kitten – #42
- Angel’s Share – #43
- Dante – #46