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Such is the case for each of the five bars on this list. In New York City, the godfather of the high-concept cocktail reminds us how transcendent they can be when created with real purpose; in Miami, an aperitivo bar shows the unplumbed depth of the category when pursued with a personal point of view; and in San Francisco, an altar to quiet minimalism stands up to maximalism’s enduring reign. In addition to recognizing the best of the new, we are also honoring an industry icon, a bar that has preserved a style of drinking that—in the 86 years since it first opened its doors—has shaped so much of how we drink in this very moment.
It’s 2024, and the bar world is not immune from the algorithmic flattening of culture that has shaped so much of our modern world. While the past few years have seen a steady rise in cocktail quality across the board, there’s been a palpable rise in sameness occurring in lockstep. For anyone who spends enough time in bars, this fast-paced adoption of the latest trends comes with inevitable fatigue. But it also makes it all the more special when a bar comes along that breaks from the expected—a bar that can tap into the tastes and techniques of the moment and make them its own.
