On one of our early trips to Mexico City, we walked past a restaurant in Condesa with a long, gleaming-wood bar, the kind that would be packed with people sipping cocktails and wine in the U.S.
It was empty, save for a lone employee with some paperwork in front of him. We didnât see this as a sign, but as an opportunity, and we asked for two seats at the bar.
The host looked at us curiously and exchanged glances and shrugs with other nearby employees. We started to feel like we had asked if we could sit in the bathroom. But they escorted us over to two seats. Despite all the available space, the employee doing the paperwork gathered up his files and left.
It turns out that sitting at a bar isnât as common in Mexico City as it is in the U.S. When itâs just the two of us, weâll almost always take seats at a bar if itâs an option. We like watching the bartenders in action, seeing the food and drinks that other people order, and striking up conversations with people seated near us.
In Mexico City, people are more inclined to sit at a table, face-to-face with the friends or family theyâre spending time with. Some of the most popular bars in Mexico City will have just a handful of seats at the bar, with five or ten times more seating available at tables.
But thatâs finally changing because the cocktail scene in Mexico City is exploding. Longstanding cocktail bars like Baltra Bar, Licoreria Limantour, and Hanky Panky have been drawing in customersâand winning awardsâfor years, and young, ambitious bartenders are opening their own creative spots throughout the city. In these newer places, youâre more likely to find plenty of places where you can sit at the bar, take in the craftsmanship, and chat with staff and customers.
If youâre a cocktail connoisseur, be sure to build time into your Mexico City trip to try the offerings at some of the cityâs top spots. Even if liquor isnât your thing, the decor and ambiance at many of these bars make them worth a visit for a mocktail.
Expect to pay about $200 to $300 MXN ($10 to $15 USD) per cocktail at most of these places.
Hereâs where we head when weâre looking for a well-crafted drink in a stylish spot.
Baltra Barđ˛
Located right offđśAvenida Amsterdam in đłCondesa, Baltra Bar is a Mexico City institution that consistently lands on the list of top bars. Itâs currently #83 on the Worldâs 50 Best Bars list (which inexplicably goes to 100).
Itâs one of our favorites as well. Itâs a good idea to make a reservation, but if you donât have one, pop in at 6 pm when they open and you might snag a table, especially during the week or on a rainy night. Otherwise, itâs hit or miss because itâs so popular.
They update the menu fairly often, and you can browse through their latest creations or try one of their classicsâwe suggest the Sumi.
Bar Maurođ˛
Located a couple of blocks south ofđłPlaza Rio de Janeiro in đ Roma Norte, Bar Mauro is exactly what weâre looking for in a bar. Itâs cozy, friendly, and comfortableâthe kind of place where you could pop in for a quick drink or hang out with friends for a few hours.
Their custom and classic cocktails are outstanding, with aperitif options and legendary choices inspired by various travels in different times. The Mauritoâa carbonated, mezcal-based cocktailâpays the rent, according to our server.
Bar Mauro also has a nice selection of snacks, like cheese, cured meat, olives, and our favorite, the black truffle French fries. Itâs #14 on North Americaâs 50 Best Bars.
Bijou Drinkery Roomđ˛
Weâre regulars at Rubi (below) in đłCondesa, so we heard ahead of time that Bijou was in the running for North Americaâs Best Bars. We were happy to hear the news that they placed at #34.
Bijou means jewel, and the diamond/emerald/ruby theme runs through the interior design and the menu.
Their custom cocktails all include descriptions of their liquors and flavor profiles, which can help you make up your mind if youâre not familiar with the ingredients. For example, the seawet martini is gin-based and dry, with a umami taste.
Like Rubi, Bijou is affiliated with Colegio Superior de GastronomĂa, a top culinary school in Mexico City, and the food is excellent.
Tip: It it can be a bit difficult to find the entrance to Bijou. Look for the door next to the Sonora 189 sign with the logo for the Colegio Superior de GastronomĂa and you should see a host desk right inside.
Brooklyn Spekeasy đ˛
Youâll find Brooklyn Spekeasyâyes, thatâs how itâs spelledâtucked behind Enricoâs Trattoria in đ¸JuĂĄrez. The first time we visited, it was with Nadine from Migrant in Mexico, who lives nearby. She said that sheâd eaten at Enricoâs and never even realized there was a speakeasy at the same location.
Having a drink here is as comfortable as hanging out in your living room, if your living room had cool and cozy decor and all your friends were expert mixologists.
Brooklynâs cocktails include classic, contemporary, and new-era options, plus their own creations. Weâre fans of the Aviation and the Boulevardier, as well as the pizzas from Enricoâs that you can order here. We also appreciate the generous pours, the reasonable prices, and the friendly staff.
CafĂŠ de Nadieđ˛
Weâve only visited CafĂŠ de Nadie in đ Roma Norte once, but it placed at #47 on the North Americaâs 50 Best Bars list this year, so we may need to give it another chance. We thought it was fine. But weâre looking for something a little better than âfine.â
The cocktails were excellent, with interesting ingredients and combinations, and the team behind the bar that knew what they were doing.
But the service was slow, and it was difficult to to get anyoneâs attention when we wanted to get a second drink and when we wanted to pay.
We have a friend working there now, so we will try to swing by at a quieter time to see if heâs there and if we like it better.
CafĂŠ Tacobar del Sur đ˛ â
This bar/restaurant in đ¸Roma Sur is our favorite in Mexico City, though youâll get a nearly identical experience at their original location,đ¸CafĂŠ Tacobar in Roma Norte. They have some of the best cocktails around and the very best tacos weâve ever had.
CafĂŠ Tacobar del Sur is close to our apartment, and we eat and drink there at least once a week. Owner Khristian de la Torre invented the salmoncito, a cocktail youâll find on menus all over Mexico City and beyond. Give it a try, or one of the many other custom and classic cocktails they offer.
Most importantly, go to Tacobar hungry. They offer a small selection of tacos, but each is exquisite. Our favorites are the the chilorio (pork) and the champiĂąones (mushroom). But you canât go wrong. Everyone we bring here agrees these are the best tacos theyâve ever had.
Diente de Orođ˛
Diente de Oro is right around the corner from Baltra Bar in đłCondesa. It might not be as well known as Baltra, but we think itâs a terrific destination in its own right.
Itâs a whisky bar, offering a wide range of single malts, Irish whiskies, blended whiskies, and American and Canadian bourbons. They have plenty of cocktails on the menu, too, centered around whisky but with lots of other liquor options.
Like a good whisky, Diente de Oro is warm and welcoming. Itâs a place where you can relax and savor a drink or two.
Form+Matter (FO+MA) đ˛
We watched construction unfold on this building a couple of blocks from our apartment in đ Roma Norte over a few trips, and we were curious why the first floor was elevated a bit above street level and taller than the other floors. But then it opened as an apartment building with a creative cocktail bar just above street level in November 2024.
Ever since, weâve been regular, repeat customers. FO+MA offers a range of house cocktails, classic cocktails, and mocktails that combine ingredients from around the globe in unique waysâthink blends of sweet and savory or warm and chilled.
FO+MA keeps the focus on the cocktails, so there arenât many food choices, but they offer a few bar snacksâbread and butter, olives, and bao buns.
Weâre impressed by the attention to detail in every aspect of the cocktails, from the stemware to the ingredients to the explanations. The drinks are beautiful and tasty, and the fancy garnishes add to the experienceâthey arenât gimmicky.
The drinks photograph beautifully, thanks to the social-media-friendly lighting. Each seat is given a tiny, focused light from above, and the bartenders and servers place the drinks in that light so you can start posting immediately. This idea is so smart, and so well executed, that we expect other cocktail bars to copy it.
Handshake Speakeasyđ˛
We wrote a detailed review of Handshake Speakeasy in đ¸JuĂĄrez when it took top place on the Worldâs 50 Best Bars list in 2024. They came out on top of the North America list in 2025. Itâs quite the experience, but it doesnât deserve that level of recognition, in our opinion.
TLDR: Worth a visit if youâre curious, and they do some things quite well. Weâre glad we went once, but we donât plan to go back.
Hanky Pankyđ˛
Hanky Panky in đ¸JuĂĄrez is #93 on the Worldâs 50 Best Bars list, and itâs been on our list of places to try for most of the time weâve been in Mexico City. We finally got there, and we were lucky to be seated at the bar.
They describe their menu as a âliquid passport,â and their custom cocktails are all inspired by locations around the world. They also offer several cocktails created by bartenders from various countries, classics, including, of course, Hanky Panky, and mocktail versions of a few drinks.
Everything we tried was both delicious and interesting, even the Grand Bazaar, which, at $390 MXN ($19.50 USD) was the most expensive cocktail weâve had in Mexico City.
You can reserve a timeslot at Hanky Panky between 5 pm and 8 pm, though youâll probably need to book at least a week in advance. They take walk-ins and have a wait list after 8 pm.
Tip: The entrance to Hanky Panky is inside Fonda Turin, which shows up on Google maps as across the street from Hanky Panky but is is actually on the side where Hanky Panky shows up. On your way to check in, take a peek at the Modelo beer case on your right and see if you notice anything unusual.
LicorerĂa Limantourđ˛
LicorerĂa Limantour in đ Roma Norte is another regular on the best bars listings, currently #32 on the Worldâs 50 Best Bars list. They offer a wide-ranging cocktail menu that includes a nice selection of mezcal-based drinks.
The place can get loud, so go for the drinks, not conversation. Itâs smart to make a reservation, but weâve had luck getting two seats at the bar and, once, a table for four when we walked in.
If youâd like to snack on something with your drink, we suggest an order of the fried chicken. Donât be surprised if you want a second orderâitâs really good.
Rubi Wine Cocktailsđ˛
The first time we tried Rubi in đłCondesa, it was a plan B. We tried unsuccessfully to get into Baltra Bar, so we checked for highly rated places nearby. That turned out to be a lucky break for us, as weâre now regulars.
Itâs a stylish but comfortable place, with a half-dozen or so seats at the gem-shaped bar, plus large tables for groups, small tables for couples, and a bar with seating that looks out to the view of Condesa.
As you might guess from the name, Rubi focuses on wine cocktails. So, a lot of the house cocktails have wine, vermouth, sherry, or another grape-based alcohol as an ingredient.
They also have an impressive list of vermouths by the glass, which was a fun discovery for us, because weâve always thought of vermouth as a mixer, not something you drink on its own.
Rubi is affiliated with Colegio Superior de GastronomĂa, a top culinary school in Mexico City, and thatâs probably why the food weâve tried has been outstanding.
The real draw at Rubi, though, is the people working there. Rubi is one of those places where youâre a regular the second time you walk through the door, exchanging hugs all around the bar. You can feel the love.
Tip: Google Maps directs you to a spot on Avenida Sonora. Rubiâs entrance is around the corner of the building to the left, on Avenida Mexico.
Supra đ˛
There arenât a lot of tall buildings, let alone skyscrapers, in đ Roma Norte. But Supra is on the 14th floor of the tallest of them, at its top. And from there, you can enjoy a house or classic cocktail or a meal with an unforgettable view.
First, you have to get inside that building, and thatâs less obvious than it should be. Look for the security guards milling around out front. They may ask if you have a reservation, but weâve never made one, and never had problems getting in. Theyâll point you towards the elevators inside.
Most of the seating is on the first of the two levels that Supra occupies. The views there are behind glass, but you can walk upstairs and take photos in the open air, where you donât have to worry about reflections.
TlecÄn đ˛
TlecÄn is in đ Roma Norte and it shows up on a lot of âbest barsâ lists. Itâs a small, trendy, and exclusive spot, and itâs popular with expats. Itâs also #20 on the 50 Best Bars in the World list.
TlecÄn is an indoor-only space with an artsy, indigenous vibe. They donât take reservations, which may add to its appeal with the younger set. But if you show up early, you can get in without the indignity of waiting in line.
If you like mezcal, TlecÄn lives up to the hype with creative, interesting cocktails. But thereâs one problem: it only serves smoky, mezcal-based drinks. There are a few beers and water too, but no tequila, wine, or other alcohol.
Zagaz đ˛
Itâs easy to overlook this hole-in-the-wall location in đ Roma Norte. And though Zagaz is just one of several excellent new cocktail bars that have opened recently in Roma Norte, itâs quickly emerged as one of our favorites.
Zagaz is low-key with an indoor-outdoor space, a bar you can sit at, and an upstairs overflow space for bigger groups. It serves house and classic cocktails as well as specials made with Mexico Cityâs Condesa Gin.
The cocktails are as good as some youâll find at the big-name bars, but without the big-name prices. And the house cocktails are particularly impressive.
But weâre even more impressive with the food. The menu is small; Zagaz offers just four or five food items, but everything weâve tried has been better than it needs to be. The paper plane cocktail even comes with a homemade paper plane.
The food menu gets updated often, so you may find different choices. The New York torta (a steak sandwich) and the beef slider (a full-sized hamburger) are amazingly good. Both come on tasty and bready rolls, and each is big enough to share.
And the guacamole is next level, possibly the best weâve ever had, thanks in part to the chicharrĂłnes (pork rinds) and hard crackers itâs served with.
Zagaz plays loud music on weekends. We like to sit at the bar early on weekday nights when itâs quieter.
Youâll find lots more content like this in our downloadable book, Eternal Spring: Our Guide to Mexico City, which is designed to work seamlessly on your phone, e-reader, tablet, or computer. Use it to plan your itinerary, and refer to it any time you need to when youâre in Mexico City.
These bars are on our to-go list, but we havenât been to them yet. If you get there before we do, please let us know what you think!
Casa Prunesđ˛
Casa Prunes is close to where we live, and everyone seems to talk about it. We just havenât gotten there yet.
Cityzenđ˛
We had brunch here, and the food and views were amazing. We think itâs worth stopping in for a drink.
Less Is Moređ˛
When people sitting at bars share recommendations, this place seems to come up regularly.
Long Story Shortđ˛
Long Story Short has several house negronis, which makes it interesting to me (Steph). They also have a decent wine selection.
Rayođ˛
Rayo is #87 on the Worldâs 50 Best Bars list, and itâs another place people often recommend.
Shhhđ˛
This listening bar sits on the floor above a record store. We stopped in one night, but the wait was too long for us.
These three bars are all on the 50 Best Bars in North America list, but we donât know anything else about them:
Kaito del Valleđ˛#40
Bar Las Brujasđ˛#65
Ticuchiđ˛#82
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Great list. Iâll be staying in Roma Sur while Iâm visiting so you can bet Iâll try Cafe Tacobar del Sur. I had a $17.00 cocktail at lunch in Tiburon, CA yesterday which is just outrageous and two weeks ago at Cotogna in SF, there was a glass of $28.00 white wine which I did not order. Prices here are crazy and while $11.00-$15.00 for a cocktail is significant, it seems rather reasonable compared to the crazy here in CA. And as a solo traveler since my husband passed away, I feel so much more comfortable sitting at a counter or bar to eat and drink and have met some interesting and lovely people that way.