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Top Americas bars to visit in 2017

From Lima to Little Italy in Toronto, bars in the Americas are exploring the local and the indigenous to offer cocktail lovers something new, says Tess Rose Lampert.

Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 in New Orleans is one of our top bars to watch in the Americas

The Americas is a vast but trend-driven region when it comes to bars, spirits and cocktails. Bartenders and a growing number of consumers are always trying to start or follow the next big thing. The age of novelty speakeasies has given way to a movement that is digging deeper into the roots of indigenous cultures and uncovering local ingredients – everything from traditional spirits to specialty items that can be compelled into delicious cocktail elements.

An insistence on using the highest quality ingredients possible is both defining modern standards of craft and ushering in a new wave of simplicity.

In this vein, the contemporary style of bars and the drinks they serve are drawing upon classics in enthralling ways, while experimentation is largely the result of international travel and rich exchange between the bartending community. All of this amounts to a slightly more mature line- up of top-notch drinking establishments across the Americas.

Click through the following pages to discover the Americas’ top bars to watch in 2017.

Llama Inn – Brooklyn, US

There is a fitting love affair happening between the indigenous spirits of the Americas and consumers across every corner of the world. Brooklyn’s Llama Inn is one of the top places to go to quench that growing thirst. The relaxed bar is Peruvian- themed, offering an impressive list of pisco as well as Latin-inspired cocktails with creative ingredients like quinoa-almond orgeat and purple potato puree.

Punch on draft and wine slushies keep the vibe more casual than intimidating, a welcome trend within the industry. With two superstars at the helm, former NoMad head bartender Jessica Gonzales and Speed Rack co-founder Lynnette Marrero, it’s no surprise Llama Inn is already topping local lists of where to drink.

Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 – New Orleans, US

Photo credit: Jochen Hirschfeld

In a city known for strong, classic drinks and a serious partying crowd, Latitude 29 is leading the way for those who want a more thoughtful drinking experience than simply Hurricanes on Bourbon Street. The antique tiki paraphernalia that decorates the space is from owner Jeff ‘Beachbum’ Berry’s personal travels, as are the authentic recipes he laboriously uncovered over many years.

The bar team ensures each drink is perfectly crafted while maintaining a light- hearted demeanour, which means cocktail geeks sit harmoniously alongside tourists who wander in from the adjoining hotel. The extensive rum and cocktail offering draw a crowd of locals and visitors who appreciate the sophisticated yet fun bar. Considering the worldwide tiki revival, there is no doubt this spot will rise to the top.

Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico

This Mexico City hotspot has been on the receiving end of both local and international accolades for three years now. As interest and excitement about the gastronomy of Mexico continues to grow all over the world, Limantour is quickly gaining recognition as one of the most forward thinking bars in the Americas.

The internationally inspired menu keeps bartenders and patrons one step ahead of current trends, and the cocktails themselves perpetually pique interest. Expect to see even more exciting and trendsetting concepts moving into 2017.

Bar Raval – Toronto, Canada

This impeccably decorated baroque-style bar located in Toronto’s Little Italy is earning a reputation as Canada’s most exciting place to drink. Inspired by the eclectic design and community of Barcelona, the sweeping wooden interior evokes Gaudi in a surrealist way without being overworked.

The same can be said of Bar Raval’s cocktail list, which is at once minimal and full of intriguing twists; featuring everything from low-octane, Sherry-infused options to completely unique creations like a Brown Butter Beefeater Daiquiri.

The sparse seating and communal barrel tables are designed to encourage guests to mingle and meet new groups of friends, an aspect of bar culture that has very much been downplayed in many contemporary concepts, but still remains very much in demand.

Broken Shaker – Miami, US

Photo credit: Adrian Gaut

This small hotel bar at the Freehand in Miami is fast becoming one of the most talked about and best loved bars of the Americas.
Industry veterans Gabe Orta and Elad Zvi are behind the operation, and have spared no detail while creating the effortlessly relaxed ambiance.
Broken Shaker has become a favourite on the travelling bar industry circuit, as well as for locals looking for a change of pace from the high-energy clubs of Miami. The thoughtfulness in the planning and execution of the bar programme is earning Broken Shaker status as a classic among United States bars.

Its sprawling gardens boast fruit trees, herbs and vegetables that make their way into the syrups, bitters, shrubs and garnishes of the drinks. The simple freshness results in irresistible beverages that are accessible to everyone, and the unfussy approach to cocktails is refreshing on many levels to bartenders who have been swept up in the trend of over-complicated recipes.

With a 2016 nomination for a Spirited Award at Tales Of The Cocktail, the Broken Shaker and its team are swiftly on the rise. Orta and Zvi have expanded to another outpost in the Chicago Freehand Hotel, with a Los Angeles location on the horizon, though the “tropical oasis meets comfortable lounge” vibe of Miami is still number one.

Ayahuasca Bar – Lima, Peru

Peruvian food, drink and culture is gathering a following around the world, with more bartenders than ever making the trek to South America to check it out first-hand. One of the must-visit spots in Lima is Ayahuasca Bar, a chic and classy lounge in the heart of the capital’s bohemian Barranco neighbourhood.

The stimulating decor and lighting are a nod to the psychedelic experience of its Amazonian plant namesake, while the moderate music keeps the ambiance tranquil rather than club-like. The drinks menu focuses on Pisco Sours, available in different flavours, all using fresh ingredients. As imbibers continue to flock to Peru, this bar is positioned to be one of the top destinations for bartenders in-the-know and tourists alike.

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