The announcement is in, and Rayo cocktail bar in Mexico City has been crowned the 17th best bar in North America by North America’s 50 Best Bars, and takes the Best New Opening title.
The bar has only been open for 18 months and debuts as the highest new entry on the list.
Located on the rooftop of a landmark, heritage estate in the buzzing Roma Norte district, Rayo celebrates with an immersive new menu of 10 cocktails that showcase the flavors and terroir of Mexico’s dynamic spirit-making regions. The physical menu itself is presented in the form of an intricately carved 3D-box with elegant “tincture” bottles for guests to sample the flavors of each drink before making their final choice of full cocktails.
In addition, Licoreria Limantour has been crowned the #4 best bar in North America, one of only two bars from Mexico City in the top 10. Also currently #4 on the World’s 50 Best Bar List, Mexico City’s celebrated craft cocktail scene started with Licorería Limantour in 2011. Founder Benjamin Padrón and bar manager José Luis León crafted a menu to celebrate their home city with highlights like the Mezcal Stalk (mezcal, orange liqueur, pineapple juice, agave honey, rimmed with worm salt) and the beloved Margarita al Pastor (tequila, orange liqueur, taco mix and lime). The cocktail scene may have exploded with countless knew bars opening in Mexico City but Limantour remains a pioneer