World’s No. 1 Bar, Handshake Speakeasy, Pops Up at MAD Bar & Lounge

Reservations Open for Exclusive Four-Day Event; Signature Cocktail Menu Revealed

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August 11, 2025 — This September, Manhattan becomes the global capital of cocktail culture as Handshake Speakeasy — ranked number one in The World's 50 Best Bars in 2024 and North America's 50 Best Bars (2024, 2025)— takes over MAD Bar & Lounge for a four-night only pop-up, running September 3–6, 2025.

The Mexico City-based speakeasy, renowned for its precise techniques and flavor-forward creativity, will bring its award-winning team and signature sips to the heart of Midtown. Guests at this exclusive, reservation-only event will get to meet and mingle with Handshake’s founders: Marcos Di Battista, Rodrigo Urraca, and Eric van Beek — the masterminds behind the magic.

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Sip the Science

From clean, clarified classics to unexpected flavor pairings, the pop-up menu showcases why Handshake has captured the attention of the world’s top mixologists and cocktail connoisseurs. Signature cocktails on offer include:

Salt N Pepper Mezcal

Strawberry | Yellow Bell Pepper | Habanero

Fruity, spicy, and refreshingly long — a bold blend that balances sweet heat with smoky depth.

Olive Oil Gimlet Tequila

Olive Oil | Apple | Rosemary | Lillet Blanc

Round, zesty, and short — a silky, savory twist on the classic with a hint of herbal intrigue.

Coconut & Fig Leaf Negroni Gin

Gin | Fig Leaf | Sweet Vermouth | Coconut | Di Battista | Orange

Bitter-sweet, round, and perfectly short — a rich and aromatic reimagining of the Italian staple.

These cocktails — among others — will be shaken and stirred live by the Handshake founders themselves, offering an immersive experience that blends world-class mixology with intimate storytelling and showmanship.

Reserve Your Spot

Reservations are required and available exclusively through Resy. Capacity is limited, and early booking is highly encouraged.

This collaboration is part of MAD Bar & Lounge’s mission to provide innovative and inspirational experiences from NH Collection New York Madison Avenue — a landmark hotel known for its stylish European flair and culture-forward programming.

Event Details

Dates: September 3–6, 2025

Location: MAD Bar & Lounge at NH Collection New York Madison Avenue

Reservations: https://resy.com/cities/new-york-ny/venues/mad-bar-and- lounge/events/handshake-pop-up-2025-09-03

Follow @nhcollectionmadisonavenue and @handshake_bar on Instagram for updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes access.

About NH Collection

NH Collection Hotels & Resorts is a premium hospitality brand with more than 100 properties across Europe and the Americas and a growing global footprint in Asia, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. Offering worldly travelers stays that evoke extraordinary feelings, NH Collection perfectly combines comfort, innovation, intuitive service, an elegant atmosphere, and surprising flavors, all embedded in the local identity.

NH Collection Hotels & Resorts is a Minor Hotels brand and recognizes its guests through one unified loyalty program, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.

Visit nh-collection.com for more information and connect with NH Collection on FacebookInstagram, and YouTube.

About Minor Hotels:

Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with over 560 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 57 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its hotel brands Anantara, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, Colbert Collection, NH, Oaks and iStay – and a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences, and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.

Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognizes its guests through one unified loyalty program, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.

Discover our world at minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on FacebookInstagramLinkedIn, and YouTube.

About 2BPR

2BPR is a full-service boutique communications firm specializing in luxury and lifestyle clients. We combine the experience of large agency talent with the energy, personal involvement, and careful attention of a small agency.

We pride ourselves on developing superior communications at an affordable cost while providing reliable hands-on service. Most importantly, we focus our time & resources on the creation and distribution of valuable, relevant, and consistent messaging to attract and retain a clearly defined audience for every client - which ultimately drives brand loyalty and profitable customer action.

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