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from the cellar

Mexico City Bars

from the cellar

in good company

edges of reason

bottom of the bottle

Mexico City Bars

words

Liam Alexander Quinn

images

No items found.

So, you're in Mexico City, a vibrant, verdant metropolis abundant with punchy street food and local watering holes. No doubt you've had your fair share of micheladas, mezcalitas, and modelos; maybe you've hit your limit (if you haven't, put this guide away, and go drink cheap beers and unlabelled mezcals in tiny bars until you're sick of it).

Mexico City has no shortage of wine bars, cocktail hangouts, and trendy mezcalerias.

Here's some worth a look.

Cicatriz

Plaza Washington, Juarez

loose blues (left) and cicatriz (right) share the charming plaza washington street with each other.

Cicatriz is a narrow corridor of a wine bar with a short but thoughtful wine list skewed towards Austria, France and Spain, and some globally minded wine bar fare – small plates for sharing, tinned fish. Cicatriz and its neighbour Loose Blues are both on Plaza Washington, a cute, weirdly happening little roundabout in the back streets of Juarez; this double-header is a great way to break up a day of wandering around the area.

Cicatriz‍

C. Dinamarca 44, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Loose Blues

Plaza Washington, Juarez

Photo from On The Grid

Right next door, Loose Blues is upstairs from a clothing store of the same name, which is conceptually built around Japanese denim, but presents as more of a general skatewear store. Head up the stairs at the back, however, and you'll find yourself in a bar with tasty modern bites blending Japanese and Mexican cuisine. There's some good wines from France and Italy, fun spritzes, and an abundance of green-hued cocktails thanks to an evident fondness for matcha.

Loose Blues

C. Dinamarca 44, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Oropel Vermuteria/Vino

Roma Norte

Photo from Oropel Vermuteria

Oropel has that casual, warm and chatty feeling that comes from being filled mainly with regulars. This place is great. As you may have figured out from the name, the refreshment of choice here is vermut – served how you like it (lots of ice and an olive, por favor). If you're not a fan, their wine and cocktail selections are very good too. You may struggle to find a seat, but standing at the bar feels sort of right here.

Oropel Vermuteria/Vino

Chihuahua 182, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Superette

Condesa

Photo from Coolhuntermx

Superette is a super cute bar with a very specific agenda. They do two things: galette (Breton style – buckwheat crepes, with ham, Emmental, egg and the like), and Normandy cider. So if you're in the mood for that, this is the spot. If you're not, then I don't know what to tell you, maybe you just can't handle a perfect combination. Their cider list is impressive, expect to pay accordingly – though there are some reasonable by-the-glass options.

Superette

Av Michoacán 181, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Tlecan

Roma Norte

Tlecan's monochromatic interior made me buy Bed Threads sheets in Rust. Photo from Tlecan.

Tlecan is a very elevated mezcal bar with no brands so to speak. All the bottles are artisanal, sourced from tiny producers, with a focus on female distillers. You won't find these mezcals anywhere else. The beverage director is ex-Pujol (No.33 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024) and all the staff seem to be on a secret mission to make you feel like an idiot. I asked for a slice of orange with my madrecuishe and got told I don't know how to drink mezcal, which like, yeah fair enough. It's worth it if you can handle the humbling. Prepare for a queue – Tlecan was rated #3 in North America and #20 in the world in the World's 50 Best Bars.

Tlecan‍

Av. Álvaro Obregón 228-Local 2, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Bósforo

Centro

Photo from On The Grid

If you want to experience the same kind of artisanal mezcal selections as at Tlecan but don't feel bold enough to withstand the inevitable eyerolls from the staff, Bósforo might be the place for you. It's a happening little bar with a narrow main room and an always-already-full mezzanine which you'll never get a chance to experience from above. The mezcal list is great, the staff are lovely and keen to help, and there's a sister restaurant next door (with no name) which does incredible modern Mexican fare.

Bósforo

Luis Moya 31-local 2, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Cafe Trucha

Roma Norte

Photo from Food And Pleasure

Cafe Trucha is on one of the corners of Plaza Río de Janeiro in Roma Norte. A quaint, green pocket of the city, this is a great place for lunch if you're craving a sandwich but can't fathom tackling another torta gigante. The foliage-filtered afternoon light, proximity to park, and tastefully curated drinks list make this a prime location for a little aperitivo. They're not open late, but for afternoon drinks in the Roma Norta area it's a great shout. Good wines by the glass, tasty twists on classic cocktails, and nibbles that don't try to break the mould (read: salami).

Cafe Trucha

Plaza Río de Janeiro 53-Local 2, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Café Tacobar

Roma Norte

Photo from TimeOut Mexico

Café Tacobar is a seriously fun little neighbourhood haunt with outstanding mixed drinks and some of the best indoor tacos around (you're never going to beat the streetside vendors). Go straight for cocktails here. They know what they're doing. One standout was the Gilda – not the Tiki cocktail, but one more closely resembling the Basque pintxo of the same name. Spanish red vermouth, drops of Cynar, splash of gin, and a skewer of jamon, olive and gouda. There's also a devastatingly brut sherry spritz which may be the perfect first drink of a night. The vibe here is local, friendly, and in-the-know. The staff's side of the bar has a guy that looks like a magician. The customer's side of the bar has drawers. Pull one out, grab the dice from within, and teach your drinking companion how to play Farkle. You're in for the long haul.

Café Tacobar

Av Oaxaca 12, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Bar Oriente

Roma Norte

Photo from Bar Oriente

Bar Oriente, despite the name, is definitely more of a club. There's a compact dancefloor with a world-class Void soundsystem, punchy and perfectly suited to the UKG and deep house selections the bookers seem to favour here. Off to the right, beneath the mezzanine, is the main bar... But you're going to avoid that, because if you make your way to the bathrooms at the back of the club, you'll find that one of them has a secret bar inside. They only sell soju bombs (or at least when I was there). That's the place to be.

Bar Oriente

Durango 181, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Lagerbar Hércules

Hipódromo

Photo from Lagerbar Hércules

This bar knows exactly what's up. It's a beer hall which only serves lager. Don't think for even a second that this would feel limiting – there's an incredibly diverse range of lager styles on tap here, from crisp Mexican maize lagers to slightly heavier Czech pilsners, all the way through red rye lagers, amber Vienna lagers, and pitch-black dark lagers. Drink the rainbow. And the food is no afterthought, the octopus tostadas I ate here were unbelievable.

Lagerbar Hércules

Campeche 322, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

published

June 22, 2026

Liam Alexander Quinn is a graphic designer and Veraison's creative director.

No items found.

from the cellar

in good company

edges of reason

bottom of the bottle

Mexico City Bars

words

Liam Alexander Quinn

images

No items found.

So, you're in Mexico City, a vibrant, verdant metropolis abundant with punchy street food and local watering holes. No doubt you've had your fair share of micheladas, mezcalitas, and modelos; maybe you've hit your limit (if you haven't, put this guide away, and go drink cheap beers and unlabelled mezcals in tiny bars until you're sick of it).

Mexico City has no shortage of wine bars, cocktail hangouts, and trendy mezcalerias.

Here's some worth a look.

Cicatriz

Plaza Washington, Juarez

loose blues (left) and cicatriz (right) share the charming plaza washington street with each other.

Cicatriz is a narrow corridor of a wine bar with a short but thoughtful wine list skewed towards Austria, France and Spain, and some globally minded wine bar fare – small plates for sharing, tinned fish. Cicatriz and its neighbour Loose Blues are both on Plaza Washington, a cute, weirdly happening little roundabout in the back streets of Juarez; this double-header is a great way to break up a day of wandering around the area.

Cicatriz‍

C. Dinamarca 44, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Loose Blues

Plaza Washington, Juarez

Photo from On The Grid

Right next door, Loose Blues is upstairs from a clothing store of the same name, which is conceptually built around Japanese denim, but presents as more of a general skatewear store. Head up the stairs at the back, however, and you'll find yourself in a bar with tasty modern bites blending Japanese and Mexican cuisine. There's some good wines from France and Italy, fun spritzes, and an abundance of green-hued cocktails thanks to an evident fondness for matcha.

Loose Blues

C. Dinamarca 44, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Oropel Vermuteria/Vino

Roma Norte

Photo from Oropel Vermuteria

Oropel has that casual, warm and chatty feeling that comes from being filled mainly with regulars. This place is great. As you may have figured out from the name, the refreshment of choice here is vermut – served how you like it (lots of ice and an olive, por favor). If you're not a fan, their wine and cocktail selections are very good too. You may struggle to find a seat, but standing at the bar feels sort of right here.

Oropel Vermuteria/Vino

Chihuahua 182, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Superette

Condesa

Photo from Coolhuntermx

Superette is a super cute bar with a very specific agenda. They do two things: galette (Breton style – buckwheat crepes, with ham, Emmental, egg and the like), and Normandy cider. So if you're in the mood for that, this is the spot. If you're not, then I don't know what to tell you, maybe you just can't handle a perfect combination. Their cider list is impressive, expect to pay accordingly – though there are some reasonable by-the-glass options.

Superette

Av Michoacán 181, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Tlecan

Roma Norte

Tlecan's monochromatic interior made me buy Bed Threads sheets in Rust. Photo from Tlecan.

Tlecan is a very elevated mezcal bar with no brands so to speak. All the bottles are artisanal, sourced from tiny producers, with a focus on female distillers. You won't find these mezcals anywhere else. The beverage director is ex-Pujol (No.33 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024) and all the staff seem to be on a secret mission to make you feel like an idiot. I asked for a slice of orange with my madrecuishe and got told I don't know how to drink mezcal, which like, yeah fair enough. It's worth it if you can handle the humbling. Prepare for a queue – Tlecan was rated #3 in North America and #20 in the world in the World's 50 Best Bars.

Tlecan‍

Av. Álvaro Obregón 228-Local 2, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Bósforo

Centro

Photo from On The Grid

If you want to experience the same kind of artisanal mezcal selections as at Tlecan but don't feel bold enough to withstand the inevitable eyerolls from the staff, Bósforo might be the place for you. It's a happening little bar with a narrow main room and an always-already-full mezzanine which you'll never get a chance to experience from above. The mezcal list is great, the staff are lovely and keen to help, and there's a sister restaurant next door (with no name) which does incredible modern Mexican fare.

Bósforo

Luis Moya 31-local 2, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Cafe Trucha

Roma Norte

Photo from Food And Pleasure

Cafe Trucha is on one of the corners of Plaza Río de Janeiro in Roma Norte. A quaint, green pocket of the city, this is a great place for lunch if you're craving a sandwich but can't fathom tackling another torta gigante. The foliage-filtered afternoon light, proximity to park, and tastefully curated drinks list make this a prime location for a little aperitivo. They're not open late, but for afternoon drinks in the Roma Norta area it's a great shout. Good wines by the glass, tasty twists on classic cocktails, and nibbles that don't try to break the mould (read: salami).

Cafe Trucha

Plaza Río de Janeiro 53-Local 2, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Café Tacobar

Roma Norte

Photo from TimeOut Mexico

Café Tacobar is a seriously fun little neighbourhood haunt with outstanding mixed drinks and some of the best indoor tacos around (you're never going to beat the streetside vendors). Go straight for cocktails here. They know what they're doing. One standout was the Gilda – not the Tiki cocktail, but one more closely resembling the Basque pintxo of the same name. Spanish red vermouth, drops of Cynar, splash of gin, and a skewer of jamon, olive and gouda. There's also a devastatingly brut sherry spritz which may be the perfect first drink of a night. The vibe here is local, friendly, and in-the-know. The staff's side of the bar has a guy that looks like a magician. The customer's side of the bar has drawers. Pull one out, grab the dice from within, and teach your drinking companion how to play Farkle. You're in for the long haul.

Café Tacobar

Av Oaxaca 12, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Bar Oriente

Roma Norte

Photo from Bar Oriente

Bar Oriente, despite the name, is definitely more of a club. There's a compact dancefloor with a world-class Void soundsystem, punchy and perfectly suited to the UKG and deep house selections the bookers seem to favour here. Off to the right, beneath the mezzanine, is the main bar... But you're going to avoid that, because if you make your way to the bathrooms at the back of the club, you'll find that one of them has a secret bar inside. They only sell soju bombs (or at least when I was there). That's the place to be.

Bar Oriente

Durango 181, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

Lagerbar Hércules

Hipódromo

Photo from Lagerbar Hércules

This bar knows exactly what's up. It's a beer hall which only serves lager. Don't think for even a second that this would feel limiting – there's an incredibly diverse range of lager styles on tap here, from crisp Mexican maize lagers to slightly heavier Czech pilsners, all the way through red rye lagers, amber Vienna lagers, and pitch-black dark lagers. Drink the rainbow. And the food is no afterthought, the octopus tostadas I ate here were unbelievable.

Lagerbar Hércules

Campeche 322, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

‍

published

June 2026

Liam Alexander Quinn is a graphic designer and Veraison's creative director.

No items found.

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