In the elegant heart of Mexico City’s Colonia Juárez, Handshake Speakeasy stands as a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship. Hidden behind an unmarked door inside a quiet hotel lobby, this bar invites guests to experience a world where vintage glamour meets modern innovation. Since its opening, Handshake has become a symbol of refined artistry, merging the nostalgia of classic speakeasies with the precision of culinary science. Every corner of this venue reflects intention, passion, and a respect for both heritage and progress.
The Story Behind Handshake Speakeasy
The origins of Handshake trace back to a vision of creating a space that feels both timeless and forward thinking. Led by Eric van Beek, a former World Class Bartender of the Year, the bar opened in 2021 in its current location. Its entrance is discreet, designed to evoke mystery and curiosity. Upon stepping inside, guests are greeted by a scene that recalls the opulence of the early twentieth century, with dark wood, marble, and soft light creating an atmosphere of intimacy and anticipation. From the very first moment, the experience feels curated and cinematic.
Craftsmanship as a Language of Emotion
At the core of Handshake’s philosophy lies an unrelenting devotion to craftsmanship and emotion. Each drink is more than a recipe; it is a carefully composed story told through texture, temperature, and timing. The bar’s approach combines classic technique with modern technology, using clarifications, distillations, and extractions to achieve flawless balance. Preparation for certain drinks can take several days, yet the result always feels effortless. Signature creations such as the Fig Martini exemplify this harmony, blending local ingredients with a refined sense of artistry that defines the Handshake style.
Service as a Choreographed Art
What sets Handshake apart from other world class bars is its approach to hospitality. Every team member is trained in multiple roles, ensuring that the understanding of the guest experience remains complete and cohesive. Bartenders may become hosts, and servers may step behind the bar. This rotation creates a rhythm of empathy and understanding throughout the team. Service unfolds with quiet confidence, marked by synchronization and grace. The energy within the bar feels alive yet calm, a reflection of hospitality performed as an elegant ritual.
Reinventing the Cocktail Tradition
Handshake honors classic cocktails while boldly reimagining them for a new era. The team deconstructs familiar recipes and rebuilds them using innovative techniques, creating versions that preserve the soul of the original while offering new sensations. A clarified piña colada sparkles with lightness and clarity, while a Negroni variant reveals unexpected botanical layers. Each creation embodies a philosophy of less but better, where every detail has meaning and no gesture is wasted. This balance between discipline and creativity is what makes Handshake a global reference point for modern mixology.
Global Recognition of Handshake Speakeasy
The acclaim surrounding Handshake is both immense and deserved. In 2024, it was named The World’s Best Bar, becoming the first venue in Mexico to hold that distinction. It has also been recognized as Best Bar in North America, further establishing Mexico City as a capital of cocktail innovation. Industry peers celebrate Handshake not only for its perfection in craft but for its emotional resonance. Every visit feels intimate and human, proving that true excellence in hospitality lies in authenticity and connection.
The Ambience That Transcends Time
The setting of Handshake Speakeasy evokes an era when elegance and discretion defined nightlife. Velvet seating, brass details, and candlelit reflections create an atmosphere suspended between dream and memory. The two levels of the venue offer distinct moods. The upper space feels calm and reflective, ideal for quiet appreciation. The lower level vibrates with energy, music, and conversation, transforming the experience into a celebration. Together they form a symphony of contrast, symbolizing the meeting of past and present that defines the bar’s identity.
The Enduring Legacy of Handshake
Beyond accolades and technique, Handshake’s true legacy lies in its devotion to people. Every guest is treated as part of the story, every drink crafted with the precision of art and the warmth of genuine care. The bar continues to influence the global industry, setting standards in creativity, teamwork, and excellence. In the heart of Mexico City, Handshake stands not merely as a destination but as a philosophy, a living testament to how beauty, innovation, and emotion can coexist in perfect balance.
Bars and Cocktails
How Tres Monos Reframed the Negroni as an Argentine Cocktail Story
The Negroni has travelled further than most cocktails because it is easy to recognise but difficult to exhaust. Its structure is fixed enough to be remembered, yet open enough to be interpreted. That balance explains why bars across the world continue to return to it, not only as a drink, but as a framework for […]
July 6, 2026
Barlist
Bar Leone: Precision, Aperitivo Culture, and the Martini Reimagined in Hong Kong
In a city that rarely slows down, Bar Leone opened in Hong Kong in 2023 with a notably different rhythm. There was no attempt to compete through spectacle or technical theatre. Instead, the bar established itself through clarity of purpose, disciplined execution, and a deeply human understanding of what a bar should feel like. Within […]
July 4, 2026
Travel & Experience
Delhi’s New Drinking Culture: Design, Bartending, and Local Influence
For years, Delhi’s most recognisable drinking rooms belonged to hotels, private clubs, and restaurants where the bar played a supporting role. Service could be polished and the surroundings impressive, but the identity of the venue often came from the institution around it rather than the person behind the counter. That balance began to change during […]
July 2, 2026
