In a city where cocktail culture keeps evolving, Handshake doesn't chase trends-it sets the standard. Often topping the lists of the world's best, it is, without question, the most ambitious and polished bar in Mexico City. Behind a discreet door in Colonia Juárez, its mirrored walls and golden glow set the stage for cocktails that are bold, elegant and playful at once.

Here, the bartenders reimagine classics with Mexican spirits-mezcal in place of gin, tequila infused with unexpected botanicals-and push boundaries with creations like a clarified piña colada or whiskey kissed with popcorn. It's serious mixology, but never pretentious, which is why locals and travelers alike keep it buzzing. This is not just a stop for a drink-it's where the city's cocktail culture feels world-class.

Location: JUÁREZ

Tlecan isn't just a bar-it's a love letter to mezcal. Located in Roma Norte, it strips the category of gimmicks and treats agave spirits with the reverence usually reserved for fine wine. The room is dark, minimal, almost monastic, with bottles lined like relics on the shelves.

Here the focus is on purity: small-batch mezcales sourced directly from communities across Mexico, each served with context and respect. The bartenders guide you through flavor profiles that range from smoky and earthy to floral and citrusy, offering education as much as indulgence. Cocktails are secondary, but when they appear, they're subtle and elegant, designed to highlight-not mask-the spirit.

For locals, Tlecan has become a temple of mezcal culture; for travelers, it's the bar that reveals just how deep Mexico's traditions run in every glass.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Agrotaberna Monstruo de Agua is nothing like the first two on the list. This is a laid back place that's as authentic as it gets. The beer produced by Monstruo de Agua is as Mexican as it can get, and all their drinks are deeply rooted in the Mexican countryside and in sustainability. If there is a legit bar in Mexico City this is it, socially and ecologically conscious while making amazing and unique beer.
Located on Amsterdam in the heart of Condesa, it serves as the tasting room for Monstruo de Agua, a brewery devoted to sustainability and the revalorization of local agriculture.

This is a lively bar pouring with many types of artisanal beer you've never tried before. there is so much to choose from. All of them highlight native ingredients and Mexican terroir.

Every glass tells a story of the field it came from, connecting guests with farmers and showcasing the biocultural richness of Mexico. For visitors looking beyond cocktails, this is the place to experience how beer, food, and agriculture come together in a uniquely Mexican way.

YOU NEED TO TRY THE CERVEZA BLANCA DE MAGUEY BY MONSTRUO DE AGUA.

Location: CONDESA

No trip to Mexico City is complete without a night at Tenampa. Open since 1925, this legendary cantina in Plaza Garibaldi has become the heart of mariachi culture-a place where locals, families, and travelers all gather to drink tequila, eat botanas, and let the music take over.

The space is vast and full of history, with murals, wood paneling, and tables that have hosted everyone from Golden Age movie stars to presidents. Here is where Chavela Vargas and José Alfredo Jiménez turned tequila and heartbreak into a kind of sacred mass, a ritual that still echoes through the room. The menu is heavy on tequila and mezcal, served straight or in traditional cocktails, and the food leans toward hearty Mexican classics.

But what makes Tenampa unforgettable is the atmosphere: mariachi bands circulate between tables, serenading guests late into the night. It's rowdy, it's joyful, and it's the kind of experience that goes beyond drinking-it's pure Mexican tradition in action.

Location: DOWNTOWN

Gran Cantina Filomeno sits right in the heart of Roma Norte, in a restored mansion facing Plaza Río de Janeiro. The décor leans heavy on Porfirian charm-stained glass, vintage wood, curiosities on the walls-so walking in feels like stepping into Mexican high society circa 1900.

Here they honor Mexico's cantina traditions with dishes like sopes de tuétano, chamorro, tongue tacos, and classic cocktails that pay tribute to the past while still tasting fresh. The staff curates the ambiance so that it feels romantic but not precious, lively but not chaotic.

This is a place to linger over mezcal or tequila with conversation or fade into the music and ambiance as the night deepens.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Casa Franca is one of those spots that feels like a secret, even though everyone cool in Roma knows about it. Set inside an old mansion, the space is dimly lit, with velvet curtains, vintage furniture, and a tiny stage where some of the city's best jazz musicians play live sets every night.

The drinks lean classic-martinis, negronis, and well-crafted mezcal cocktails-served with an elegance that matches the sultry atmosphere. It's the kind of bar where time slows down: conversations stretch, the music pulls you in, and the room fills with an energy that's both intimate and electric.

For travelers, Casa Franca offers a window into Mexico City's thriving jazz scene, wrapped in the romance of a speakeasy. For locals, it's simply a place to lose yourself in good music and strong drinks until late into the night.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Licorería Limantour is the bar that put Mexico City on the global cocktail map. Open since 2011, it's been consistently ranked among the world's best, and for good reason. The space-bright, modern, and always buzzing-sets the stage for a menu that combines precision, creativity, and a deep respect for Mexican ingredients.

Here you'll find cocktails built around fresh herbs, tropical fruits, and local spirits, presented in ways that are playful but never gimmicky. Classics like the Margarita al Pastor or the Jamaica Mezcal Negroni have become signatures, striking that perfect balance between innovation and approachability.

Limantour is lively without being chaotic, sophisticated without being intimidating. It's the kind of bar where locals and travelers blend seamlessly, united by the simple joy of a perfectly made drink.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Bar La Ópera is pure legend. Open since the late 19th century, this downtown cantina has seen revolutions, presidents, poets, and movie stars pass through its ornate wooden doors. The interiors are lavish-imported French mahogany, gilded mirrors, stained glass-and the atmosphere carries the weight of over a century of stories.

The bar is most famous for the bullet hole in its ceiling, said to have been fired by Pancho Villa himself, a relic that adds to its mythical aura. Drinks are classic-tequila, mezcal, brandy, and cocktails done the old-school way-paired with hearty Mexican fare that keeps the tradition alive.

For visitors, La Ópera offers more than a drink: it's a step into Mexican history, where every detail feels like part of a living museum. Sit at the bar, order a tequila, and let the room remind you that you're drinking in one of the city's most storied institutions.

Location: DOWNTOWN

Tokyo Music Bar brings a slice of Japanese hi-fi culture to Mexico City. Hidden away in Juárez, the space is intimate and dark, with a wall of vinyl records, a state-of-the-art sound system, and bartenders who treat cocktails with the same care as DJs treat a needle drop.

The atmosphere is hushed but never stiff-conversations melt into the background while jazz, funk, and soul spin from rare LPs. The drinks are elegant, precise, and often infused with subtle Japanese and Mexican touches: think yuzu meeting mezcal, or a highball crafted with meticulous balance.

It's the kind of place where you go as much to listen as to drink, perfect for a late-night escape with friends or a date. For travelers, it feels like discovering a world-class listening bar that could be in Tokyo or New York, but with the unique pulse of Mexico City.

Location: JUÁREZ

Hanky Panky is one of Mexico City's original modern speakeasies and still one of its most exciting. Named after the classic cocktail, it hides behind an unmarked entrance in Colonia Juárez, revealing a dark, intimate room where bartenders mix some of the city's most inventive drinks.

The vibe is sophisticated but playful-velvet booths, dim lighting, and a sense of theater in the way cocktails are prepared and served. The menu balances respect for the classics with bold experimentation, so you might start with a flawless negroni and end with a drink built on unexpected Mexican flavors.

Part of the charm is the exclusivity: reservations are essential, and getting in feels like joining a club of insiders. But once inside, the atmosphere is welcoming and fun, making it one of the city's must-visit bars for cocktail lovers.

Location: JUÁREZ

Zinco Jazz Club is as close as Mexico City gets to a New York underground jazz den. Tucked in the basement of an old bank in the Centro Histórico, the space is moody and intimate-low ceilings, red lights, and a stage that hosts some of the best jazz musicians in Mexico and beyond.

The cocktails are classic and straightforward, often leaning on whiskey, gin, and mezcal, designed to complement rather than compete with the music. The real star here is the atmosphere: the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the way the room falls quiet when a sax solo takes over.

For travelers, Zinco offers a night of world-class jazz in an unexpected setting, equal parts cosmopolitan and deeply local. It's the kind of bar where you lose track of time and leave convinced that CDMX can hold its own against any jazz city in the world.

Location: DOWNTOWN

Corazón de Maguey is the mezcal heart of Coyoacán. Located right on the bustling Jardín Centenario, this bar-restaurant has become a reference point for anyone wanting to dive deep into agave culture while soaking in one of the city's most iconic plazas.

The space is colorful and lively, with walls lined by bottles of mezcal sourced from across Mexico-Oaxaca, Guerrero, Puebla, Durango-each carrying its own story. The staff guide guests through tastings that range from smoky and robust to delicate and floral, and cocktails bring mezcal into playful dialogue with seasonal fruits and herbs.

The food is hearty and rooted in tradition, from moles to tlayudas, making it just as easy to spend an afternoon here as it is to settle in for a long mezcal night. And if you can, grab a table on the terrace-it's the best spot to watch Coyoacán's nightlife unfold. More than a bar, Corazón de Maguey is a celebration of agave and the communities that cultivate it.

Location: COYOACÁN

El Sella is one of those old-school cantinas that locals guard like a secret. Open since 1945 in Colonia Doctores, it has the look of a modest neighborhood joint, but inside you'll find some of the city's best bar food and a timeless cantina vibe.

The atmosphere is lively yet unpretentious-families, regulars, and curious travelers sharing long tables over cold beers, tequila shots, or the house vermouth. The real star here is the kitchen: chamorro al horno, bacalao a la vizcaína, or a simple but perfect tortilla española paired with an ice-cold drink.

There's nothing staged about El Sella-it's pure authenticity, a place where the past lives on in every plate and glass. Sit down, order generously, and let the staff make you feel at home. And if you want to do it right, pair your meal with a house vermouth like the regulars do.

Location: DOCTORES

Las Brujas is one of the most original cocktail bars in Mexico City, a place where drinks feel like spells and the atmosphere hums with a playful, witchy energy. Located in Colonia Roma, the bar is intimate, dimly lit, and decorated with mystical touches-candles, talismans, and bottles glowing like potions.

The menu leans heavily on Mexican ingredients and folklore, with cocktails that reference herbs, flowers, and traditions tied to witchcraft and healing. Expect drinks infused with cacao, chile, or seasonal fruits, each presented with a theatrical flair that makes the ritual of drinking part of the fun.

What makes Las Brujas special is how it embraces both magic and hospitality: bartenders guide you through the menu like spell books, and locals often treat it as a favorite late-night haunt. Order one of their signature herbal cocktails, grab a seat in the cozy barroom, and let the night take a mystical turn.

Location: ROMA NORTE

La Covadonga is a Mexico City institution. Open since the 1940s in Roma Norte, this sprawling cantina has been a gathering place for writers, politicians, bohemians, and neighborhood families alike. The décor is simple and old-school-long wooden tables, tile floors, and walls that have absorbed decades of conversation.

The menu leans Spanish with a Mexican twist: patatas bravas, tortilla española, croquetas, and hearty plates made for sharing. Drinks are straightforward-cold beer, vermouth, tequila-and part of the charm is how little the place has changed over the years.

Covadonga is less about flashy cocktails and more about community. Sit at a long table, order tapas and a round of beers, and you'll quickly find yourself swept into the easy rhythm of conversation that defines the cantina tradition. For many locals, this is where nights begin and often where they end.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Café Tacobar is where Mexico City's love of tacos and nightlife collide. Located in Roma Norte, it's a vibrant spot that doubles as a taquería and a late-night bar, with DJs or live bands often setting the mood. The décor is casual and colorful, giving it the feel of a neighborhood hangout that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The drinks are playful and bold-mezcal cocktails, craft beers, and creative takes on classics-always designed to pair with tacos hot off the grill. From al pastor to more experimental fillings, the food keeps the energy going until the early hours.

What makes Café Tacobar shine is the mix of flavors, music, and community: it's the kind of place where you might stop in for a quick bite and end up staying all night. Order tacos, grab a cocktail, and let the party unfold around you.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Baltra is a tiny bar in Condesa with a big reputation. Inspired by Darwin's voyage to the Galápagos, the décor is nautical and intimate-maps, curiosities, and soft lighting that make the space feel like a traveler's lounge from another era.

The cocktail menu evolves constantly, with seasonal ingredients and inventive techniques guiding the way. Drinks here are elegant but approachable, often weaving in Mexican flavors without turning them into clichés. A gin-based cocktail might arrive layered with local herbs, or a spritz might highlight native fruits in surprising ways.

Baltra's charm lies in its scale: it's small, cozy, and personal, the kind of place where the bartenders quickly feel like friends. For locals, it's a weeknight favorite; for visitors, it's an essential stop to see how Condesa does cocktails with creativity and style.

Location: CONDESA

San Ángel Inn is not just a bar-it's one of Mexico City's most beautiful historic settings to enjoy a drink. Housed in a former 17th-century Carmelite monastery in San Ángel, the space feels like stepping into another time: sprawling gardens, colonial architecture, and a refined atmosphere that blends history with elegance.

Most visitors come for the restaurant, but the bar has a life of its own. Sitting under the arches or out on the terrace with a cocktail in hand is pure magic. The drinks lean classic-martinis, margaritas, tequila or mezcal neat-executed with timeless style. Pair them with light botanas or simply let the setting do the work: this is about savoring the experience as much as the drink.

For travelers, San Ángel Inn offers a chance to slow down and sip surrounded by centuries of history, making it one of the city's most unforgettable places for a cocktail.

Location: SAN ÁNGEL

La Coyoacana is a local favorite that feels more like a fiesta than a bar. Located a few steps from the main square in Coyoacán, it's a sprawling cantina with colorful patios, rustic décor, and a lively crowd that keeps the place buzzing day and night.

The drinks are straightforward-big pitchers of margaritas, tequila or mezcal shots, and cold beers-perfectly paired with hearty Mexican comfort food. Think quesadillas, molcajetes, and tacos served in generous portions that encourage sharing.

What makes La Coyoacana special is the energy: mariachi bands show up, groups of friends toast loudly, and strangers quickly become part of the celebration. It's not polished or pretentious-it's pure joy, wrapped in the spirit of Coyoacán. Grab a seat in the patio, order a pitcher of margaritas, and let the chaos charm you.

Location: COYOACÁN

Pulquería La Pirata has been serving Mexico City for more than 80 years, keeping alive the tradition of pulque in the Escandón neighborhood. The vibe is raw, festive, and proudly authentic-a place where locals gather for "curados" (flavored pulques) made with fruits, nuts, or even vegetables.

All pulques come from Tlaxcala and Hidalgo, the heartlands of maguey. Flavors rotate constantly: piñón, celery, tomato, or the classic sangre de conejo (red prickly pear). The experience is rustic and communal, with bar snacks ranging from guacamole to escamoles or maguey worms.

La Pirata is not just a bar, it's living tradition-one of the few places where visitors can taste Mexico's pre-Hispanic heritage in a glass.

Location: ESCANDÓN

In a city where cocktail culture keeps evolving, Handshake doesn't chase trends-it sets the standard. Often topping the lists of the world's best, it is, without question, the most ambitious and polished bar in Mexico City. Behind a discreet door in Colonia Juárez, its mirrored walls and golden glow set the stage for cocktails that are bold, elegant and playful at once.

Here, the bartenders reimagine classics with Mexican spirits-mezcal in place of gin, tequila infused with unexpected botanicals-and push boundaries with creations like a clarified piña colada or whiskey kissed with popcorn. It's serious mixology, but never pretentious, which is why locals and travelers alike keep it buzzing. This is not just a stop for a drink-it's where the city's cocktail culture feels world-class.

Location: JUÁREZ

Tlecan isn't just a bar-it's a love letter to mezcal. Located in Roma Norte, it strips the category of gimmicks and treats agave spirits with the reverence usually reserved for fine wine. The room is dark, minimal, almost monastic, with bottles lined like relics on the shelves.

Here the focus is on purity: small-batch mezcales sourced directly from communities across Mexico, each served with context and respect. The bartenders guide you through flavor profiles that range from smoky and earthy to floral and citrusy, offering education as much as indulgence. Cocktails are secondary, but when they appear, they're subtle and elegant, designed to highlight-not mask-the spirit.

For locals, Tlecan has become a temple of mezcal culture; for travelers, it's the bar that reveals just how deep Mexico's traditions run in every glass.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Agrotaberna Monstruo de Agua is nothing like the first two on the list. This is a laid back place that's as authentic as it gets. The beer produced by Monstruo de Agua is as Mexican as it can get, and all their drinks are deeply rooted in the Mexican countryside and in sustainability. If there is a legit bar in Mexico City this is it, socially and ecologically conscious while making amazing and unique beer.
Located on Amsterdam in the heart of Condesa, it serves as the tasting room for Monstruo de Agua, a brewery devoted to sustainability and the revalorization of local agriculture.

This is a lively bar pouring with many types of artisanal beer you've never tried before. there is so much to choose from. All of them highlight native ingredients and Mexican terroir.

Every glass tells a story of the field it came from, connecting guests with farmers and showcasing the biocultural richness of Mexico. For visitors looking beyond cocktails, this is the place to experience how beer, food, and agriculture come together in a uniquely Mexican way.

YOU NEED TO TRY THE CERVEZA BLANCA DE MAGUEY BY MONSTRUO DE AGUA.

Location: CONDESA

No trip to Mexico City is complete without a night at Tenampa. Open since 1925, this legendary cantina in Plaza Garibaldi has become the heart of mariachi culture-a place where locals, families, and travelers all gather to drink tequila, eat botanas, and let the music take over.

The space is vast and full of history, with murals, wood paneling, and tables that have hosted everyone from Golden Age movie stars to presidents. Here is where Chavela Vargas and José Alfredo Jiménez turned tequila and heartbreak into a kind of sacred mass, a ritual that still echoes through the room. The menu is heavy on tequila and mezcal, served straight or in traditional cocktails, and the food leans toward hearty Mexican classics.

But what makes Tenampa unforgettable is the atmosphere: mariachi bands circulate between tables, serenading guests late into the night. It's rowdy, it's joyful, and it's the kind of experience that goes beyond drinking-it's pure Mexican tradition in action.

Location: DOWNTOWN

Gran Cantina Filomeno sits right in the heart of Roma Norte, in a restored mansion facing Plaza Río de Janeiro. The décor leans heavy on Porfirian charm-stained glass, vintage wood, curiosities on the walls-so walking in feels like stepping into Mexican high society circa 1900.

Here they honor Mexico's cantina traditions with dishes like sopes de tuétano, chamorro, tongue tacos, and classic cocktails that pay tribute to the past while still tasting fresh. The staff curates the ambiance so that it feels romantic but not precious, lively but not chaotic.

This is a place to linger over mezcal or tequila with conversation or fade into the music and ambiance as the night deepens.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Casa Franca is one of those spots that feels like a secret, even though everyone cool in Roma knows about it. Set inside an old mansion, the space is dimly lit, with velvet curtains, vintage furniture, and a tiny stage where some of the city's best jazz musicians play live sets every night.

The drinks lean classic-martinis, negronis, and well-crafted mezcal cocktails-served with an elegance that matches the sultry atmosphere. It's the kind of bar where time slows down: conversations stretch, the music pulls you in, and the room fills with an energy that's both intimate and electric.

For travelers, Casa Franca offers a window into Mexico City's thriving jazz scene, wrapped in the romance of a speakeasy. For locals, it's simply a place to lose yourself in good music and strong drinks until late into the night.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Licorería Limantour is the bar that put Mexico City on the global cocktail map. Open since 2011, it's been consistently ranked among the world's best, and for good reason. The space-bright, modern, and always buzzing-sets the stage for a menu that combines precision, creativity, and a deep respect for Mexican ingredients.

Here you'll find cocktails built around fresh herbs, tropical fruits, and local spirits, presented in ways that are playful but never gimmicky. Classics like the Margarita al Pastor or the Jamaica Mezcal Negroni have become signatures, striking that perfect balance between innovation and approachability.

Limantour is lively without being chaotic, sophisticated without being intimidating. It's the kind of bar where locals and travelers blend seamlessly, united by the simple joy of a perfectly made drink.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Bar La Ópera is pure legend. Open since the late 19th century, this downtown cantina has seen revolutions, presidents, poets, and movie stars pass through its ornate wooden doors. The interiors are lavish-imported French mahogany, gilded mirrors, stained glass-and the atmosphere carries the weight of over a century of stories.

The bar is most famous for the bullet hole in its ceiling, said to have been fired by Pancho Villa himself, a relic that adds to its mythical aura. Drinks are classic-tequila, mezcal, brandy, and cocktails done the old-school way-paired with hearty Mexican fare that keeps the tradition alive.

For visitors, La Ópera offers more than a drink: it's a step into Mexican history, where every detail feels like part of a living museum. Sit at the bar, order a tequila, and let the room remind you that you're drinking in one of the city's most storied institutions.

Location: DOWNTOWN

Tokyo Music Bar brings a slice of Japanese hi-fi culture to Mexico City. Hidden away in Juárez, the space is intimate and dark, with a wall of vinyl records, a state-of-the-art sound system, and bartenders who treat cocktails with the same care as DJs treat a needle drop.

The atmosphere is hushed but never stiff-conversations melt into the background while jazz, funk, and soul spin from rare LPs. The drinks are elegant, precise, and often infused with subtle Japanese and Mexican touches: think yuzu meeting mezcal, or a highball crafted with meticulous balance.

It's the kind of place where you go as much to listen as to drink, perfect for a late-night escape with friends or a date. For travelers, it feels like discovering a world-class listening bar that could be in Tokyo or New York, but with the unique pulse of Mexico City.

Location: JUÁREZ

Hanky Panky is one of Mexico City's original modern speakeasies and still one of its most exciting. Named after the classic cocktail, it hides behind an unmarked entrance in Colonia Juárez, revealing a dark, intimate room where bartenders mix some of the city's most inventive drinks.

The vibe is sophisticated but playful-velvet booths, dim lighting, and a sense of theater in the way cocktails are prepared and served. The menu balances respect for the classics with bold experimentation, so you might start with a flawless negroni and end with a drink built on unexpected Mexican flavors.

Part of the charm is the exclusivity: reservations are essential, and getting in feels like joining a club of insiders. But once inside, the atmosphere is welcoming and fun, making it one of the city's must-visit bars for cocktail lovers.

Location: JUÁREZ

Zinco Jazz Club is as close as Mexico City gets to a New York underground jazz den. Tucked in the basement of an old bank in the Centro Histórico, the space is moody and intimate-low ceilings, red lights, and a stage that hosts some of the best jazz musicians in Mexico and beyond.

The cocktails are classic and straightforward, often leaning on whiskey, gin, and mezcal, designed to complement rather than compete with the music. The real star here is the atmosphere: the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the way the room falls quiet when a sax solo takes over.

For travelers, Zinco offers a night of world-class jazz in an unexpected setting, equal parts cosmopolitan and deeply local. It's the kind of bar where you lose track of time and leave convinced that CDMX can hold its own against any jazz city in the world.

Location: DOWNTOWN

Corazón de Maguey is the mezcal heart of Coyoacán. Located right on the bustling Jardín Centenario, this bar-restaurant has become a reference point for anyone wanting to dive deep into agave culture while soaking in one of the city's most iconic plazas.

The space is colorful and lively, with walls lined by bottles of mezcal sourced from across Mexico-Oaxaca, Guerrero, Puebla, Durango-each carrying its own story. The staff guide guests through tastings that range from smoky and robust to delicate and floral, and cocktails bring mezcal into playful dialogue with seasonal fruits and herbs.

The food is hearty and rooted in tradition, from moles to tlayudas, making it just as easy to spend an afternoon here as it is to settle in for a long mezcal night. And if you can, grab a table on the terrace-it's the best spot to watch Coyoacán's nightlife unfold. More than a bar, Corazón de Maguey is a celebration of agave and the communities that cultivate it.

Location: COYOACÁN

El Sella is one of those old-school cantinas that locals guard like a secret. Open since 1945 in Colonia Doctores, it has the look of a modest neighborhood joint, but inside you'll find some of the city's best bar food and a timeless cantina vibe.

The atmosphere is lively yet unpretentious-families, regulars, and curious travelers sharing long tables over cold beers, tequila shots, or the house vermouth. The real star here is the kitchen: chamorro al horno, bacalao a la vizcaína, or a simple but perfect tortilla española paired with an ice-cold drink.

There's nothing staged about El Sella-it's pure authenticity, a place where the past lives on in every plate and glass. Sit down, order generously, and let the staff make you feel at home. And if you want to do it right, pair your meal with a house vermouth like the regulars do.

Location: DOCTORES

Las Brujas is one of the most original cocktail bars in Mexico City, a place where drinks feel like spells and the atmosphere hums with a playful, witchy energy. Located in Colonia Roma, the bar is intimate, dimly lit, and decorated with mystical touches-candles, talismans, and bottles glowing like potions.

The menu leans heavily on Mexican ingredients and folklore, with cocktails that reference herbs, flowers, and traditions tied to witchcraft and healing. Expect drinks infused with cacao, chile, or seasonal fruits, each presented with a theatrical flair that makes the ritual of drinking part of the fun.

What makes Las Brujas special is how it embraces both magic and hospitality: bartenders guide you through the menu like spell books, and locals often treat it as a favorite late-night haunt. Order one of their signature herbal cocktails, grab a seat in the cozy barroom, and let the night take a mystical turn.

Location: ROMA NORTE

La Covadonga is a Mexico City institution. Open since the 1940s in Roma Norte, this sprawling cantina has been a gathering place for writers, politicians, bohemians, and neighborhood families alike. The décor is simple and old-school-long wooden tables, tile floors, and walls that have absorbed decades of conversation.

The menu leans Spanish with a Mexican twist: patatas bravas, tortilla española, croquetas, and hearty plates made for sharing. Drinks are straightforward-cold beer, vermouth, tequila-and part of the charm is how little the place has changed over the years.

Covadonga is less about flashy cocktails and more about community. Sit at a long table, order tapas and a round of beers, and you'll quickly find yourself swept into the easy rhythm of conversation that defines the cantina tradition. For many locals, this is where nights begin and often where they end.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Café Tacobar is where Mexico City's love of tacos and nightlife collide. Located in Roma Norte, it's a vibrant spot that doubles as a taquería and a late-night bar, with DJs or live bands often setting the mood. The décor is casual and colorful, giving it the feel of a neighborhood hangout that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The drinks are playful and bold-mezcal cocktails, craft beers, and creative takes on classics-always designed to pair with tacos hot off the grill. From al pastor to more experimental fillings, the food keeps the energy going until the early hours.

What makes Café Tacobar shine is the mix of flavors, music, and community: it's the kind of place where you might stop in for a quick bite and end up staying all night. Order tacos, grab a cocktail, and let the party unfold around you.

Location: ROMA NORTE

Baltra is a tiny bar in Condesa with a big reputation. Inspired by Darwin's voyage to the Galápagos, the décor is nautical and intimate-maps, curiosities, and soft lighting that make the space feel like a traveler's lounge from another era.

The cocktail menu evolves constantly, with seasonal ingredients and inventive techniques guiding the way. Drinks here are elegant but approachable, often weaving in Mexican flavors without turning them into clichés. A gin-based cocktail might arrive layered with local herbs, or a spritz might highlight native fruits in surprising ways.

Baltra's charm lies in its scale: it's small, cozy, and personal, the kind of place where the bartenders quickly feel like friends. For locals, it's a weeknight favorite; for visitors, it's an essential stop to see how Condesa does cocktails with creativity and style.

Location: CONDESA

San Ángel Inn is not just a bar-it's one of Mexico City's most beautiful historic settings to enjoy a drink. Housed in a former 17th-century Carmelite monastery in San Ángel, the space feels like stepping into another time: sprawling gardens, colonial architecture, and a refined atmosphere that blends history with elegance.

Most visitors come for the restaurant, but the bar has a life of its own. Sitting under the arches or out on the terrace with a cocktail in hand is pure magic. The drinks lean classic-martinis, margaritas, tequila or mezcal neat-executed with timeless style. Pair them with light botanas or simply let the setting do the work: this is about savoring the experience as much as the drink.

For travelers, San Ángel Inn offers a chance to slow down and sip surrounded by centuries of history, making it one of the city's most unforgettable places for a cocktail.

Location: SAN ÁNGEL

La Coyoacana is a local favorite that feels more like a fiesta than a bar. Located a few steps from the main square in Coyoacán, it's a sprawling cantina with colorful patios, rustic décor, and a lively crowd that keeps the place buzzing day and night.

The drinks are straightforward-big pitchers of margaritas, tequila or mezcal shots, and cold beers-perfectly paired with hearty Mexican comfort food. Think quesadillas, molcajetes, and tacos served in generous portions that encourage sharing.

What makes La Coyoacana special is the energy: mariachi bands show up, groups of friends toast loudly, and strangers quickly become part of the celebration. It's not polished or pretentious-it's pure joy, wrapped in the spirit of Coyoacán. Grab a seat in the patio, order a pitcher of margaritas, and let the chaos charm you.

Location: COYOACÁN

Pulquería La Pirata has been serving Mexico City for more than 80 years, keeping alive the tradition of pulque in the Escandón neighborhood. The vibe is raw, festive, and proudly authentic-a place where locals gather for "curados" (flavored pulques) made with fruits, nuts, or even vegetables.

All pulques come from Tlaxcala and Hidalgo, the heartlands of maguey. Flavors rotate constantly: piñón, celery, tomato, or the classic sangre de conejo (red prickly pear). The experience is rustic and communal, with bar snacks ranging from guacamole to escamoles or maguey worms.

La Pirata is not just a bar, it's living tradition-one of the few places where visitors can taste Mexico's pre-Hispanic heritage in a glass.

Location: ESCANDÓN