Mexico City is a cultural hotspot known for its eclectic mix of ancient and contemporary art, centuries-old churches, and unique plazas. It is a gateway to the Teotihuacan pyramids, a significant Mesoamerican archaeological site.
It’s also one of the world’s most well-known gourmet destinations, with choices ranging from simple al pastor taco stands to Michelin-starred restaurants.
It is also one of the best places in the world to drink. This is proven by the city’s plethora of excellent cocktail bars, mezcal bars, and pulquerias, as well as the presence of four of the World’s 50 Best Bars.
Evening surprises await you wherever you turn in Mexico City. For example, in charge of one of Mexico City’s most well-known bars.
The atmosphere of Mexico City’s bars is particularly noteworthy. The Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar, for example, has a concealed entry into the 1920s world of American Prohibition, where visitors may also enjoy an updated version of Ada Coley Coleman’s hanky panky drink from London’s Savoy Hotel.
My ranking of the best 15 bars in Mexico City illustrates how the city’s nightlife is enjoyed. Use your senses to discover the most tempting mixology recipes.
Sitting at the bar allows you to feel the enchantment; even if you’re not sure what to order, the bartender will have a unique blend of can’t-miss drinks at these city’s finest nightlife places. Enjoy!
Contents
My Top 3 Mexican Bars in Mexico City
Restaurant | Top Pick | Our Rating |
Bar Las Brujas | cacao butter-washed martini | 5/5 |
GinGin | vellocino de Oro | 5/5 |
Handshake Speakeasy | Big In Japan | 4.5/5 |
México City’s 15 Must-Try Bars
The Clandestine
+525552121871Av. Lvaro Obregn 298, Cuauhtmoc, 06140 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico
While visiting CDMX for the first (or hundredth) time, you want to sample all of the city’s culinary and beverage staples. When it comes to nightlife, mezcal is unrivaled.
La Clandestina, one of the top Mexico City bars, is a fantastic option for sampling the local mezcal. This one lies near Roma Norte, on the boundaries of the Colonia La Condesa neighborhood.
The establishment has a quaint, tucked-away vibe. It looks like a classic Mexico City bar, with stone walls and thought-provoking little art objects scattered around.
Traditional Mexican music will be played throughout the night. Best of all, there are several exquisite mezcal-based cocktails to try.
As you go inside La Clandestina, you think to yourself, Oh, so this is where the cool kids hang out. La Clandestinas’ consumer base comprises of young Mexicans and ex-pats in their mid-20s to mid-30s who enjoy mezcal or are exploring new varieties of mezcal.
House-crafted mezcal cocktails and classic glass mezcal cups are available on the menu. If you purchase a single small cup, you’ll receive orange slices topped with chile.
Cocktails like the Ponche, Pepino, Habanero, and Aguacate are made by combining mezcal with local juices.
La Clandestina is one of those Mexico City pubs where you keep walking into more rooms until you locate a comfortable square table in a semi-private spot with all your friends.
You may also enjoy your mezcal by sitting at the bar, on the sidewalk outside, or at one of the other tables. This is a must-see bar in CDMX if you appreciate mezcal.
Leonor
+525552121018Av Nuevo Len 163, Hipdromo, Cuauhtmoc, 06140 CDMX, Mexico
Leonor is fantastic! Look no farther if you’re travelling to Mexico City. I had the best night ever at Leonor and am so pleased I found it.
Despite the fact that it is relatively tough to get inside, once you do, you will be pleasantly delighted by the atmosphere and beverages!
You’ll get so much more out of a drink if you purchase it here. I say this because everyone who works there will go out of their way to make you happy.
We liked all of their beverages and cocktails, as well as the wonderful atmosphere produced by everyone dancing around us. It’s expensive, but you get what you pay for!
Parque Mxico Hotel
Av Mxico 133, Hipdromo, Cuauhtmoc, 06100 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico
We had a lovely stay at Hotel Parque Petit, where we were greeted by a pleasant and competent personnel from the start.
bar, situated immediately outside the hotel and easily accessible from inside. The hotel’s associated restaurant serves a welcome mezcal cocktail.
It’s a fantastic location to stay. We stayed for one night and would return at any moment. They feature well-appointed rooms with comfy mattresses as well as lovely wide and well-decorated communal areas in a great location surrounded by great eateries.
They also provide an incredible gourmet breakfast at their distinctive fusion cuisine restaurant on a terrace, which includes free margaritas and live music.
All of this is in a peaceful, safe area with a variety of pubs and eateries. In a nutshell, a location designed and maintained by individuals who care about people for a pleasant and enjoyable visit. Pay it a visit!
Colima White
+525555117527 Colima 168, Roma Nte., Cuauhtmoc, 06700 Mexico City, CDMX
This pub is perfect in every manner and is one of the top Mexico City bars in general. First and foremost, it is in a charming and unique area. In the center of CDMX, the edifice resembles an aristocratic palace.
The ceilings are high, the floor and ceiling moldings are lovely, the art is spectacular, and the attention to detail and cleanliness is faultless.
It is a newly refurbished home with traditional Spanish accents in the décor, ambiance, lighting, and furnishings.
It is a favorite hangout for both residents and tourists; the menu is extensive and based on Mexican food with a contemporary touch, ensuring that no taste is lost. The quality and flavor are also great, and the selection of beverages and sweets is extensive.
The prices are little more than normal, but considering the restaurant’s location, you’ll understand why.
They have an old house wing that turns into a bar and lounge at night, so you may drink without eating.
We sat at the bar and drank Buchanans 12 Whisky and Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila. The service was fantastic! This high-end Mexico City bar is well worth a visit!
Bar Xaman
+525548130937Copenhague 6, Jurez, Cuauhtmoc, 06600 CdMX, Mexico
The buried Xaman is a trip to a post-technology future, a wonderful subterranean garden in the center of the city. Once inside, experienced mixologists push known Mexican liquors to their limits.
The bartenders highlight uncommon ingredients like as cempaschil marigold, xoconostle prickly pear, and cacao, as well as handmade vinegar, scary tinctures, and kombucha teas, all presented using practically unintelligible pre-Hispanic terminology.
Favorites like the thyme-infused Moscow Mule are also great options. Come here for a tasty drink at the end of the day, to start a night out, or just to observe whats going on at the cutting edge of Mexico City’s cocktail culture.
Xaman strives to be one of the greatest bars in Mexico City with its cocktail menu. Enjoy a taste of the light pink Piedra del Mar, created with tea, wild herbs, and fresh juices and shaken hard with tuna flesh and egg whites.
With electro-shamanic sounds from resident and guest DJs, you’ll be transported back to that lost weekend in Tulum. There is no question that this is an excellent location for a night out. It’s one of the top bars in Mexico City!
The hanky-panky
Turn 52, Jurez, Cuauhtmoc, 06600 Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
Hanky Panky is intended to be difficult to locate; you enter via a taqueria and depart through a refrigerator door.
One of the city’s most appealing drinking dens may be found inside the softly lighted bar with its white marble bar top and red leather seats.
This wonderful place is located in the Juarez district. The walls are packed with every possible alcoholic beverage, and the bartenders always put on a great show. A night at Hanky Panky can’t go wrong.
Many drinks developed specifically by Hanky Panky mixologists, such as Ricardo Sartisanal vinegar Sandoval (Limantour) and Phillipe Zaigue, were on the menu (Artemisia).
I explicitly requested the Hanky Panky, and the sharpness was well mitigated by sweetness, transporting me back to the Savoy.
Limantour Licorera
Av. Lvaro Obregn 106, Roma Nte., Cuauhtmoc, 06700 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico
Licoreria Limantour is without a doubt one of the top bars in Mexico City. They make delicious and one-of-a-kind drinks.
Cocktails are high-tech here, with bitter, sweet, and herbal concoctions blending mezcal, gin, and bitters in a mixture that evokes the 1920s bartender while inventing.
Besides from specialty beverages, the menu includes takes on classics. Try their Negroni Limantour, a non-Campari variation created with gin, housemade vermouth, fino sherry, and maraschino liqueur that will make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about the Negroni.
Try the Breakfast of Champions instead, which blends peanut butter-infused Scotch with clarified banana juice and lemon juice. On paper, it seems doubtful, but believe me when I tell it’s wonderful.
Licoreria Limantour has a well-organized and stylish bar setting as well as one-of-a-kind drinks. Spending the evening there helps you to thoroughly unwind.
If you appreciate the nightlife, Licoreria Limantour is one of the spots you must visit at least once while in Mexico City.
Licorera Limantour also has a location in the opulent Polanco sector. It serves the same drinks but in a smaller, more intimate atmosphere. The original has the best feel, although any location is good.
The Depsito
+525550885552Av. Alvaro Obregon 21, int. 1 Col, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico
Av. Baja California 375, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, 06170
+525570450950Av. Ejrcito Nacional Mexicano 468, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11520 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico
El Deposito is a great spot to obtain craft beer in Mexico City. When you go into El Deposito, you know what you’re going to get: a genuine atmosphere, a selection of local and foreign beers, and an excellent selection of Mexican cuisine.
The scent of freshly brewed IPAs and stouts will entice you to come inside!
It was fantastic to sample six different types of craft beer! We were blown away by the flavor and the appetizers!
They also offer drafts and bottles that can be taken away. The bartenders are very knowledgable and will help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
They also offer outside chairs where you can sip beer as people go by. If you like beer, this is a must-visit in Mexico City!
Balmori
+525552641757 Cuauhtmoc, 06700 CDMX, Zacatecas 139 Segundo piso
There are several rooftop bars in Mexico City, enabling you to fully appreciate the stunning skyline of the nation’s capital.
Balmori Roofbar is one of my favorite bars in Mexico City. The relaxed club offers lots of room and spacious tables that are excellent for larger groups.
In my view, this restaurant is on level with, if not better than, the other high-quality restaurants in the region. The location offers several advantages.
First and foremost, the scenery is stunning, and the ambience is amazing. The music was both fun and hip, and the volume was just right.
The biggest draws were the food and beverages. I requested a mezcal cocktail with Jamaica. The drink was delicious and came in an eye-catching cup.
Everyone had plenty of space to drink, and there were DJs spinning music on occasion. It’s a fun spot to spend an evening for young people.
During hot summer evenings, there is no better location to cool down and enjoy a drink than Balmori. Make a note of it on your to-do list!
Wallace Whisky Lounge
+525552563534 Av. Tamaulipas 45, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtmoc, 06140 Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
When you’re sick of mezcal, tequila, and tacos, head to Wallace Whisky Bar in Condesa. After a hard day, it’s a relaxing and welcoming place to unwind with friends. To gratify the palette, it delivers outstanding drinks and typical bar snacks. It is without a doubt one of the trendiest bars in Mexico City.
There is a wide area inside, two levels, a large bar, and outdoor seats, and the atmosphere is extremely pleasant. The music is nice and not too loud.
The interior is rather huge and can accommodate large groups; I’ve seen a few birthday parties there. The service is excellent, and the personnel is quite kind.
Wallace Whisky Bar specializes on whisky, but it also has a great range of beers. Mexican artisan beers and classics are among them.
We strongly advise you to sample one of their traditional drinks. If you want something sweet, I suggest the Ki San Tiki. A must-see for whisky-based drinks!
GinGin
Av Oaxaca 87, Roma Nte., Cuauhtmoc, 06700 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico
Crdoba 107, Roma Nte., Cuauhtmoc, 06700 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico +525610597860
Caldern de la Barca 72, Polanco, Polanco II Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico +525552148302C.
Gin Gin impresses me as more of a pharmacy than a bar, making it one of the trendiest bars in Mexico City! The basic gin, tonic, and lime combo appears in many concoctions or medicinal potions on the menu.
It also provides various variants on the classic, which has caused me to rethink everything I thought I knew about gin.
It could be a good idea to dress up or pretend to dress up. This restaurant is fancy pants, with a double-sided menu, a huge number of cocktails and liquor options, and a stunning décor.
Vellocino de Oro, Acapulco Golden, and Mexican Pimms, which comprises rooibos and berry-infused gin, Cinzano, ginger extract, simple syrup, lemon juice, ginger ale, muddled fruit, and edible flowers, are my three favorites.
Arrive after 10 p.m. on weekends (it becomes packed), and you’ll see why the area has been labeled as a hotspot and highly stylish.
Some consider Gin Gin to be one of Mexico City’s top bars. I can see why. You should go check it out for yourself!
Speakeasy Handshake
Amberes 65, Jurez, Cuauhtmoc, 06600 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico.
I passed right by it twice before locating the entrance since it was hidden behind another unmarked door. I like the secret location!
You are unable to enter, but if the staff sees you on camera, they will open the door for you. From the moment you are seated with a cool towel, glass of water, and appetizers until you depart, maybe a bit stumbly after a few drinks, handshake is a lovely experience.
The menu begins with small classics, enabling you to drink a Martini, Negroni, Vesper, or Boulevardier while perusing the standard dishes.
There are a few Asian-inspired cocktails on the menu, such as the Huge in Japan, a highball prepared with Japanese whiskey, toasted barley, and shiso, and the Jasmine, created with Japanese gin and jasmine tea.
The pub also serves an Old Fashioned with burned butter and mushroom spice, as well as a Caprese salad-inspired cocktail with basil and tomato gin.
Our favorite cocktail of the night was the Be Yourself, which was created with mol and presented with chocolate to go with it.
We have heard great things about their take on the traditional Pina Colada.
Both are well-balanced and sophisticated, with delicious subtleties and more distinct tastes, rather than gimmicky. This bar should be on your must-visit list. Trust me!
Tokyo Music Club
+525586624064 Cuauhtmoc, 06500 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico, Ro Pnuco 132
This is one of the top bars in Mexico City. The attention to detail, decor, service, and drinks are all superb. While listening to music and drinking beverages, it’s easy to lose track of time here. Have a seat at the bar if feasible.
A vintage hi-fi system with turntables and a vast record collection powers this seductive dark space with wonderful feelings.
When I first received my drink, it looked to be a bit little, and I was going to ask the bartender what was up, but after I sampled it, I discovered it was fantastic. Without a question, the drinks at MXDC were among the best on the trip.
The bar was nice, and the music was appropriate for the occasion. The bartenders were fantastic and offered suggestions. It is ideal for taking your significant other!
Las Brujas Bar
+525550862988 Calle Rio de Janeiro 56 Local B Col, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico.
Bar Las Brujas is a charming little bar in one of the most gorgeous squares in CDMX. They have a terrific beverage selection and even excellent desserts. If you’re searching for one of the most distinctive bars in Mexico City, this is the place to go.
The interior design and mood were really on-brand.
Sitting at the bar enables you to witness how the drinks are produced, and if they aren’t too busy, they will even make you a drink. It might get a little crowded, but the wait is definitely worth it.
Their cocoa butter-washed martini was the most delightful surprise, with wonderfully subtle chocolate overtones and simply a trace of sweetness.
If you wish to spend a beautiful moment in a building with as much history as the House of the Witches, don’t pass up the opportunity to learn about this site that will leave you speechless.
Bsforo
+525555121991 Luis Moya 31, Colonia Central, Cuauhtmoc, 06010 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico
Bsforo is a two-story pub that is one of the top Mexico City pubs for various reasons. To begin, this tavern offers a variety of typical Mexican foods such as chapulines and quesadillas.
Bsforo is much superior than the city’s other mezcal bars. Oaxaca is joined by Michoacan, Guerrero, Puebla, San Luis Potosi, and other underdeveloped areas and producers. For lager enthusiasts, there are several beer options.
There is also no pretension here, just cheap mezcal and a few munchies. There is no food to speak of, except than guava in fruit dishes scattered about the area.
The biggest disadvantage of Bsforo is that it may get rather busy at night. Because of its small size, Bsforo should only be visited by people who can cope with crowds. Give it a go; you won’t be disappointed!
FAQ
Is Mexico City a party destination?
Mexico City is a popular nightlife destination. There arent many neighborhoods in CDMX that dont have clubs or bars. Every night, various bars, pubs, and clubs in Mexico City remain up until the early hours of the morning.
It’s a popular spot for young people to party late at night. Yet, there are more easygoing districts in Mexico City, such as Escandon and Narvarte.
Is there a nice nightlife in Mexico City?
Mexico City has a vibrant and surprisingly diversified nightlife scene. In fact, Mexico City is home to two of the top twenty greatest bars in the world.
Even better, Mexico City’s nightlife is diverse; there are more traditional establishments serving regional drink specialities. In addition, there are late-night pubs and clubs.
When does the nightlife in Mexico City begin?
In Mexico City, there are various nightclubs and discos, each with its own distinct programming. Some open at 11:00 p.m., some at 12:00 a.m., but all must shut by 5:00 a.m.
The Best Bars in Mexico City
It’s not all about the tequila and mezcal. Frozen margaritas, sweet palomas, and lime shots are not representative of what it’s like to drink in Mexico City or elsewhere in the nation.
It would have been inconceivable 10 years ago that this city that reveres lengthy drinks (Cuba Libre everywhere) would become so enamored with cocktail culture, much alone make it their own.
Hundreds of new bar operations have opened in recent years, bringing with them a flood of novelty and brilliance. Mexico City is paradise for bars, so make sure you visit them all!
Visiting other parts of Mexico? Check out our other tasty guides:
- The 21 Best Oaxaca Restaurants & Bars
- Where to Eat in Zipolite, Oaxaca
- Ultimate Guide To The Best Puerto Vallarta Restaurants