12 OF THE BEST COCKTAIL BARS IN MEXICO CITY
Mexico City is one of the best cities for cocktails in the world.
You can see it in the lists of 50 Best Cocktails in the World, and in North America. Why? After 8 nights exploring the scene: the creative ingredients, embrace of Mexican spirits and distillates, and amazing hospitality all make this scene special. So if you’re visiting - what are the best cocktail bars in Mexico City?
DON’T MISS MY GUIDE TO THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN MEXICO CITY
Here are the best bars that we experienced - and I’ve put them in order based on which ones I enjoyed the most. That said - all of these are worth visiting.
Me and Alyssa at Bar Mauro
BAR MAURO: We went here twice which says a lot. Bar Mauro is apertivo focused, the first Italian-style bar in Mexico City. Lots of vermouths and bitter liquors, we tried most of the menu (priced between $200 - $240 MXN // $11-$13 USD). Ranked #2 on the list of Best Bars in North America, and I can see why. Loved. https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/best-in-north-america/the-list/bar-mauro.html
Bijou Drinkery Room
BIJOU DRINKERY ROOM: This is so fun: make a reservation, get a code, get guided through a secret door inside of culinary school, and then - wow! Bijou was incredible hospitality - the nicest bartenders - they learned it was Alyssa’s birthday trip, asked her a favorite song, instantly played it and challenged her to sing along. It was great. They have a teriffic menu and a gimmick: they have different flavors laid out on a Rubik’s Cube, you can select spicy, mezcal, berries, gin, whiskey, sweet, citrus and they’ll create a cocktail per your flavor specifications. I loved the Bijou cocktail and will be making it at home - it’s comprised of three ‘jewels’: diamond (gin), ruby (vermouth) and emerald (chartreuse). https://bijoudrinkeryroom.com/
Tlecan
TLECAN: I loved this room - small, chic, ranked #5 on the Best Bars in North America, #23 in the world (https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/best-in-the-world/the-list/tlecan.html) the cocktail list mentions zero brands as they source from small producers around Mexico. The clarified Paloma Blanca was a standout, as was the milk punch Pulque Colada. tlecan.com
The Saffron (whiskey sour riff) and Salt N Pepper (Paloma Riff) at Handshake Speakeasy
HANDSHAKE SPEAKEASY: Ranked the #2 Bar in the World by 50Best, Handshake Speakeasy was extremely high level hospitality along with some lovely drinks. Is it possible to meet expectations of being ranked #2 in the world? Absolutely not. I loved the fig martini with Bombay Sapphire Gin, fig leaf, dry vermouth, and lemon oil. Reservations are a must: handshake.bar/menu-handshake/
The speakeasy at Licoreria Limantour
LIMANTOUR: In Roma Norte, Limantour has the main event up front and a small classic cocktail-focused speakeasy (Licoreria at Limantour) in the back. #52 on the World’s Best list. theworlds50best.com/discovery/Licoreria-Limantour.html
We tried both and were super impressed. The menu had a celebration of the hit cocktails of the last decade-plus in the main room, we were living the negroni-riff life. https://limantour.tv/
Jason at Fifty Mils at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
FIFTY MILS at Four Seasons Mexico: Beautiful and innovative cocktails in the gorgeous courtyard at Four Seasons. When we got the menu in English, it was underexplained what was in the drinks - the website menu is much better. They serve a cocktail with water and with a bite of avocado pureé. Lovely, delicious, quite cool. fourseasons.com/mexico/dining/menus/fifty-mils-mixology/
BALTRA: Owned by the same people who own Limantour, laid-back, feels like a living room. It’s No.48 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026: theworlds50best.com/discovery We just had a quick drink here, but it’s on my list to return to! https://baltra.bar/
BAR BÁSICO: This was a recommendation from a Minneapolis bartender and it did not disappoint. A true neighborhood bar, it’s basic. It’s friendly. And it had fantastic cocktails. The menu is based on the sins right now, I enjoyed Anger a mezcal/coconut milk punch with red chili liqueur, Superb had a pink grapefruit gin with dry vermouth, just really cool. This was a bit out of the way, in the Roma Sur neighborhood, we walked there and Ubered back towards our hotel. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bar_basico/
CAFÉ DE NADIE: Tons of hi-fi, music-driven hangs and bars in Mexico City, and Café de Nadie was one of our favorites. Corazón had Wild Turkey Rye, olive oil, sundried tomatoes, nut bitters and cacao nibs syrup! La Reina Blanca is Bombay Gin, pear juice, Italicus, pear liqueur, homemade barley tea. Yum! https://www.cafedenadie.mx/cocteles-de-nadie/ 50 BEST STORY: theworlds50best.com/discovery/
Bar Las Brujas
BAR LAS BRUJAS: Women-owned, mostly women team, just nice vibes at this Roma Norte cocktail hotspot. Don’t miss the comic book / superhero-style cocktail menu. https://www.lasbrujas.mx/
LESS IS MORE: Cool concept - this bar has a chill vibe (less) on the patio and in the front and a more refined craft cocktail vibe in the back (more). The menu is super clever, designed with a very wild mathematical equation as laid out by the bartender. Nice people, good drinks, worth a visit. https://www.instagram.com/lessismore_mx/?hl=en
XAMAN: Mystical downstairs bar where the team walks through and periodically smokes out the room with incense. Fun communal cocktails suspend from the ceiling in glass fishbowls, El Abyssum with Rum, Spiced Campari and vermouth was a winner. https://www.instagram.com/xamanbar/?hl=en
NIVEL 40 SKY BAR at Torre LatinoAmericana: Instead of going to the observatory at the Torre Latinoamericana, go to the 40th floor and have a cocktails. https://miralto.com.mx/nivel-40-skybar/
