Cocktails in Paris

In a vibrant celebration of hospitality and creativity, Lady Bee in Lima, Peru, has been named the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025. This prestigious recognition shines a spotlight on the bar’s heartfelt approach to service, its deep connection to Peruvian culture, and its commitment to storytelling through cocktails. Led by co-founders Alejandra León, Alonso Palomino, and Gabriela León, Lady Bee has become a symbol of excellence in Latin America’s bar scene—where hospitality is not just a practice, but a philosophy.

Co-founders and owners Alejandra León, Alonso Palomino and Gabriela León comment: “Gastronomy is a great tool to convey different messages. Pollination, our latest cocktail menu, represents a very personal journey, the Bee travelling through the Amazonian, Andean and Coastal forests, just as we have in these years of our own exploration and identity. For us, it is important to tell stories about our diversity, geography and the richness of our ecosystems and we strive to celebrate the people who are dedicated to every ingredient. Receiving the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award fills us with joy and excitement and is a recognition for the whole team, for the people who, throughout this time, have contributed with their generosity.” 

 Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President for Michter’s Distillery, says: “Congratulations to Alonso Palomino, Gabriela León, Alejandra León and the entire team at Lady Bee on winning the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award. It is a testament to how highly their peers value their welcoming atmosphere and Peruvian ingredient-based creative approach.” 

True hospitality comes from the heart, so it’s only fitting that a Latin American bar is now in the spotlight.

That doesn’t mean it comes easy — it takes daily dedication and hard work. Alonso Palomino gives us a glimpse behind the scenes to show what it really takes:

What does it mean to you to be the first Peruvian bar to win the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award?

      Being the first bar to receive this award is a huge responsibility. Lima and Peru are experiencing a very important gastronomic reality.
Receiving this recognition makes us all very attentive and committed to continuing to improve every day.
To maintain the self-criticism that we always have with us in order to keep moving forward.
We know that it is also an inspiration for other bars and colleagues of ours, so that makes the responsibility even greater.
Everyone on the team keeps this in mind every day.

Is there a particular moment or story that captures the spirit of your team’s approach to welcoming guests?

   Every day, at the end of the briefing, Mr. Luis motivates us with a speech to welcome our customers and let us know how important this work is.
That our profession is all about hospitality, before any cocktail or dish.
Mr. Luis is the oldest member of the team (69 years old), but he has the most energy. He started out doing cleaning tasks and now he is in charge of suppliers and the warehouse. He is a story of overcoming adversity within the team and of hospitality, because it all starts internally, with our own team.
Without internal hospitality, there is no hospitality at all. This is how we begin every shift, motivated to welcome our guests.  

Lady Bee’s win is more than a personal triumph—it’s a moment of pride for Peru and a powerful reminder that true hospitality begins within the team and radiates outward to every guest. With inspiring figures like Mr. Luis setting the tone each day, and a team driven by passion and purpose, Lady Bee exemplifies what it means to welcome with the best hospitality.

As the world prepares to discover the full list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, cocktail lovers everywhere can tune in via the 50 Best TV channel on YouTube, and celebrate the stories, people, and places that make the global bar community so extraordinary.

Lady Bee Instagram

Alonso Palomino https://www.instagram.com/alonso.palomino.lb/