A Vancouver watering hole is the best bar in Canada, according to North America’s 50 Best Bars, an annual ranking based on votes submitted by hundreds of bar industry experts around the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The Keefer Bar, located at 135 Keefer Street, came in at seventh overall on the continent, being beaten out by three bars in New York, two in Mexico City, and one in New Orleans.
“Located within Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, The Keefer Bar has been an institution of the city for more than a decade,” the awards website said.
“Where expansion and modernization have eroded away some of Chinatown’s history, the bar uses its space to spotlight its history through a unique drinks programme that is inspired by old apothecaries.”
Toronto’s Bar Pompette came in eighth place — the only other Canadian establishment in the top 10.
Keefer isn’t the only Vancouver bar on the top 50 list. June on Cambie — which came in at 17th — is overseen by the same team as Keefer.
“When the city’s OG craft cocktail bar opens a brasserie-inspired restaurant, you must grab a seat at the glowy, blush-pink bar,” the site says.
“The Deco-ish space, a craft beer bar and Italian restaurant in previous lives, got a copper-accented, sunset palate glow-up, courtesy Mexican architect Héctor Esrawe.”
Two other Vancouver bars made the list: Prophecy — located in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia — ranked 32nd, and Botanist Bar — in the Fairmont Pacific Rim — came in at number 38.
Anyone interested in checking out the best bar in North America, according to the list, can hit up Sip & Guzzle in NYC’s Greenwich Village.