The results are in!
And two well-known Vancouver bars have officially claimed their spots among the best in North America.
At this year’s North America’s 50 Best Bars ceremony, hosted in Vancouver for the first time ever, Botanist Bar and The Keefer Bar were named to the prestigious top 50 list for 2025.
Ranked No.26, Botanist Bar inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim continues its rise as one of the country’s most innovative cocktail destinations.
Led by beverage director Grant Sceney, the team is known for fusing science and nature in their creations, with playful, story-driven cocktails like the Botanist Marine Martini – a clever nod to Vancouver’s famously wet weather.
This isn’t Botanist’s first rodeo either.
The bar ranked #24 in 2024, and has earned acclaim both nationally and internationally for its progressive drink program and immersive experience.
Just a few spots down the list at No.28, The Keefer Bar proves that Chinatown’s long-standing cocktail den still holds serious weight in the industry.
Known for its apothecary-inspired menu and moody, medicinal vibes, The Keefer has been a pillar of Vancouver’s bar scene for over a decade.
Cocktails here are more than drinks – they’re “prescriptions” built to soothe what ails you, all while paying homage to the history of the neighbourhood.
The Keefer’s enduring popularity even led to the opening of its new sister spot, June on Cambie, one of the city’s hottest restaurant openings this year.
Topping the list this year at No.1 was Handshake Speakeasy from Mexico City—for the second year in a row.
The ultra-refined speakeasy is known for its minimalistic menu and complex draft cocktails that take days to create.
Canada had a strong showing overall with eight bars making the 2025 Top 50, including Bar Pompette in Toronto which landed at No.7, claiming the title of Best Bar in Canada.
The recognition comes just days after three other Vancouver bars (Prophecy, Laowai, and Meo)made the inaugural extended 51-100 list, giving the city five total spots in the 2025 rankings.
With the cocktail spotlight shining bright, Vancouver’s mixology scene is clearly making waves across the continent.
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