The 11 Best Bars & Nightlife in Mexico City

A mezcal bar that doubles as a mezcalería and shop, offering an impressive selection of artisanal mezcals from small producers across Oaxaca and beyond. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to guide you through a tasting. It's unpretentious and genuinely educational for anyone wanting to understand Mexican spirits.

A sleek, intimate cocktail bar widely considered one of the best in Latin America, run by a team of serious bartenders who rotate seasonal menus. Order whatever the bartender recommends — the house cocktails are inventive without being gimmicky. It's small and fills up fast, so arrive early or expect a wait on weekends.

A classic Mexico City cantina operating since 1870, serving cold beer, house wine, and traditional botanas in an old-school setting that feels genuinely historic. The botanas — small snacks brought to your table with each round — are part of the ritual and are excellent. It's cash-only, men-dominated in the old tradition, and closes in the afternoon.

One of the most authentic pulquerías in the city, serving traditional pulque — the ancient fermented agave drink — in a no-frills cantina setting that hasn't changed much in decades. Try the curado (flavored pulque) in flavors like guayaba or piñón. The atmosphere is genuinely local and the prices are remarkably low.

A gilded 1876 cantina on Avenida 5 de Mayo where Pancho Villa allegedly shot a bullet hole into the ceiling (it's still there). Come for the belle-époque booths, mezcal, and old-school botanas, not culinary fireworks — the food is decent, the atmosphere is the whole point. Open from 1pm; Sundays it closes early at 6pm.

A reservation-only speakeasy hidden behind a taquería that has earned global recognition for its exceptional cocktail program. The menu is short, the drinks are precise, and the experience feels genuinely special. You must book well in advance — walk-ins are essentially impossible.

A jazz bar and cocktail lounge that channels a 1920s speakeasy atmosphere with live jazz most nights and a serious drinks program. The Old Fashioneds and whiskey-forward cocktails are standouts. It can get loud when the band is playing, which is part of the charm but not ideal for quiet conversation.

A neighborhood bar beloved by locals for its relaxed vibe, solid cocktail list, and genuinely good gin selection without the pretension of some Roma spots. The terrace out front is perfect for people-watching on Álvaro Obregón. It's casual enough for a weeknight drink but gets crowded on weekends.

Mexico's most decorated cocktail bar, a fixture of the World's 50 Best list, on Álvaro Obregón in Roma Norte. Inventive drinks built on Mexican spirits and produce, served in a buzzy two-floor room. Worth it even if you're not a cocktail person — but book ahead or arrive at 6pm sharp, because weekend waits are real.

A rooftop bar with a fun, tropical-leaning cocktail menu and great views over Roma Norte that draws a young, social crowd. The margaritas and mezcal cocktails are well-made and the vibe is festive without being a club. Lines can be long on weekends and the wait to get in can test your patience.

A bar dedicated to absinthe and herbal spirits with a beautiful Belle Époque-inspired interior and a menu that educates as much as it entertains. The absinthe service is done properly with the traditional fountain and sugar ritual. It's a niche concept that rewards curious drinkers but may feel overly precious to those just wanting a casual beer.