This September, Manhattan’s cocktail culture will reach a new level with the arrival of an exclusive experience at MAD Bar & Lounge at NH Collection New York Madison Avenue, which will welcome Handshake Speakeasy, the bar recently crowned number one in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, as well as North America’s 50 Best Bars (2024 and 2025). Globally recognized for its avant-garde and scientific approach to flavor, the acclaimed Handshake team will bring their revolutionary art of mixology to New York City for a limited time.

From September 3-6, 2025, the pop-up will transform the elegant MAD Bar & Lounge into a true laboratory of liquid innovation where you can explore a curated menu of cocktails that fuse cutting-edge techniques with high-value presentations.

At its Mexico City headquarters, located in the NH Collection Mexico City Reforma hotel, Handshake has a dedicated laboratory for preparing its cocktails, which take between 24 and 48 hours to create. This meticulous process, which employs a wide variety of culinary techniques—from the simplest to the most complex—allows for perfectly standardized flavors and guarantees unparalleled quality.

Behind every cocktail

“This isn’t just a cocktail bar—it’s a sensorial experience ,” says Carlos Salomon, General Manager of NH Collection New York Madison Avenue, where MAD Bar & Lounge is located. “We’re proud to host a world-class team that is redefining what it means to enjoy a drink. This exclusive pop-up experience offers our guests—and the entire city—a chance to taste the future of mixology.”

The cocktail menu—still to be revealed—will be inspired by both science and the city that surrounds it, fusing the best of mixology with the timeless energy of New York. Seating will be limited, with priority given to hotel guests and those who book in advance.

This collaboration is in line with NH Collection’s ongoing commitment to offering elevated and unexpected experiences that combine premium amenities with profound cultural relevance. Located in the heart of Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, the NH Collection New York Madison Avenue continues to attract travelers and locals alike with its European charm and refined hospitality.

The pop-up experience will run for a limited time, from September 3 to 6, and requires a reservation.