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Chicago is home to three of North America's 50 Best Bars

Kumiko, Meadowlark and Best Intentions are among the continent's best drinking destinations this year.

Jeffy Mai
Written by
Jeffy Mai
Editor, Time Out Chicago
The bar at Meadowlark
Photograph: Clayton Hauck
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The list of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024 has been revealed, and three Chicago spots made the cut.

Kumiko, the Japanese dining bar in the West Loop led by acclaimed mixologist Julia Momosé, is the continent’s 19th best drinking destination. 50 Best called it a “sophisticated cocktail bar that blends Japanese and American cocktail influences with style and finesse.” Kumiko also earned the honor of the Best Bar in Midwest USA. 

Landing at No. 32 is Logan Square cocktail bar Meadowlark. This is Meadowlark’s first appearance on the rankings, and it took home the Best Cocktail Menu Award as well.

“It is an intimate cocktail den where generous Midwestern hospitality meets a humble celebration of the region’s flavours, history and culture,” 50 Best wrote.

Best Intentions, the popular dive bar in Logan Square, is another new entrant to the list, coming in at No. 48.

“Sometimes it is the most unassuming of neighbourhood bars that leave the biggest mark on the drinking culture of a city, and that’s certainly the case with Best Intentions: a beloved neo-dive with a thoroughly Midwestern vibe,” 50 Best explained.

The top spot this year went to Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, Mexico. New York City is home to the most top bars, with 12 total. Check out the full list of winners below.

  1. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
  2. Superbueno, New York
  3. Overstory, New York
  4. Martiny's, New York,
  5. Rayo, Mexico City
  6. Jewel of the South, New Orleans
  7. Double Chicken Please, New York
  8. Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
  9. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
  10. Tlecān, Mexico City
  11. Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen
  12. Katana Kitten, New York
  13. Café La Trova, Miami
  14. El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
  15. Employees Only, New York
  16. Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana
  17. Café de Nadie, Mexico City
  18. La Factoría, San Juan
  19. Kumiko, Chicago
  20. Dante, New York
  21. Civil Liberties, Toronto
  22. Service Bar, Washington DC
  23. Allegory, Washington DC
  24. Botanist Bar, Vancouver
  25. Herbs & Rye, Las Vegas
  26. Baltra Bar, Mexico City
  27. Bekeb, San Miguel de Allende
  28. Kaito del Valle, Mexico City
  29. Bar Pompette, Toronto
  30. True Laurel, San Francisco
  31. Attaboy, New York
  32. Meadowlark, Chicago
  33. The Dead Rabbit, New York
  34. Selva, Oaxaca
  35. Library by the Sea, Grand Cayman
  36. Century Grand, Phoenix
  37. Arca, Tulum
  38. Pacific Cocktail Heaven, San Francisco
  39. Cloakroom, Montreal
  40. Bar Mordecai, Toronto
  41. Maison Premiere, New York
  42. Hanky Panky, Mexico City
  43. Angel's Share, New York
  44. Milady's, New York
  45. Brujas, Mexico City
  46. Mírate, Los Angeles
  47. Cure, New Orleans
  48. Best Intentions, Chicago
  49. The Keefer Bar, Vancouver
  50. Atwater Cocktail Club, Montreal
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