22 Best Bars In Mexico City – Rooftop, Cocktails & Mezcal

Whether you fancy an ice cold local beer, a sultry rooftop cocktail, a hidden speakeasy experience, or you want to taste traditional Mexican beverages like pulque, tequila, and mezcal, I’ve done the hard drinking work for you. These are my top recommendations for the best bars in Mexico City.

I’ve spent over a year in Mexico City during my digital nomad travels – and it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s a very liveable place with so much to do that I’ve barely scratched the surface of its awesomeness.

Every time I come back there are more excellent bars and restaurants opening, and more foreigners traveling there to visit or live as digital nomads.

Best Bars In Mexico City

While I’m not a heavy drinker, I do enjoy trying the local and traditional alcohols and cocktails on offer when I travel to a new country – and Mexico has a lot to get through!

Mezcal, pulque, tequila, traditional Mexican cantinas, local beers, swanky rooftop bars and speakeasy cocktail bars that are rated in the top 10 in the world – Mexico City has all of it and more. These are my favorite stops in the city to help you discover some of CDMX’s best bars during your stay.

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Pssst: If you love tequila, I recommend traveling north from Mexico City to the town of Tequila. You can see where the best tequilas in the world are made – and do some quality taste testing while you’re there!

• Best Things To Do In Tequila, Jalisco

And if you’re thinking about going to Mexico City to visit, or live as a digital nomad for a while, check out my other articles on Mexico here:

• Best Vegan Food In Mexico City
• Best Coworking Spaces In Mexico City
• Best Places To Live In Mexico City For Digital Nomads

Okay – let’s take a look at some of the best bars in Mexico City!

Best Rooftop Bars In Mexico City

Mexico is a magnificent city, and there’s no better way to marvel at its sprawling, chaotic beauty than to take it all in from a rooftop bar while you’re sipping a cocktail, craft beer, or a crisp white wine as you reflect on your day.

SUPRA ROOFTOP BAR

This rooftop bar has a stunning 360 degree view of Mexico City. If you don’t go there for anything else but a chilled Corona, it will be worth it. Sunset is one of the most popular times, so it can get crowded. Get a seat early, or make a reservation to secure your space.

The area you can see below with the nice green couches and cacti is the area reserved for guests who’ve booked. The other side of the bar is for walk-ins. It has smaller tables and it’s a bit quieter on this side too.

This bar is a little hard to find once you’ve arrived at the address – but there’s usually somebody at the entrance to point you in the right direction. You’ll walk up a concrete driveway into the undercover carpark in the basement of this building, then be pointed in the right direction to take the lift to the rooftop. Dress code here is smart casual – but we got in fine with t-shirts and shorts.

• Supra Rooftop | Address: Av. Álvaro Obregón 151 (Roma North)

BALMORI ROOFTOP BAR

I’ve been here a few times, as I love the vibe, the food, and sitting at the bar watching the cocktail maestros at work.

While not as high up as Supra, the rooftop area is really nice, and perfect whether you’re on your own or with a large group. It’s an all weather rooftop, with a roof that slides back when it’s a nice night.

My favorite time to come here was around 6pm when it’s a bit quieter, and before the DJ and partygoers arrive. But the buzz is always great whenever you show up!

The menu has something for everyone, and it’s good, consistent fare including entrees, pizzas, mains, and a special plant-based menu for vegans – which is delicious!

• Balmori Rooftop | Address: Zacatecas 139 (Roma North)

TERRAZA DOMINGO SANTO

A fairly new spot, this bar sits above the Domingo Santo Hotel in the Centro Historico area. Just head to the elevator and punch the button for the top floor. You’ll be rewarded with a great view over the Santo Domingo Church and square.

This rooftop bar also does breakfast and lunch, and a great coffee! In the evening, you can grab sharing plates and sample the delicious cocktails from the bar as you watch the sun set over the city.

This bar can be loud on weekends, as they often have live bands playing.

Terraza Domingo Santo | Address: República de Cuba 96 (Historic Center)

BIERGARTEN (MERCADO ROMA)

The Biergarten bar is situated on the rooftop of Mercado Roma, the hip food court and market in the popular Roma district. If you’re a fan of local craft beers, this one’s for you.

It’s a casual spot, with picnic table seating, so you can get to meet other travelers and locals here. Try the monthly beer specials from the bottle or barrel, or sample some exciting mezcal cocktails.

The Biergarten serves its own food, but the bonus about this bar is that you can also buy a dazzling array of delicious food from downstairs at the market, and take it upstairs to the bar to eat.

It can be a little tricky to find your way upstairs. You’re looking for either the stairs next to the elevator, or the elevator itself which will take you to the top floor. If you take the wrong stairs, you’ll end up in the bathroom – which is helpful knowledge after you’ve had a few beers!

The music here isn’t overbearing, and the Biergarten is also a great place to head to if there’s a sports game on, as there are always TV screens showing various matches and events.

Biergarten Mercado Roma | Address: Calle Querétaro 225 (Roma North)

TERRAZA CHA CHA CHA

This rooftop bar is located near Bella Artes, with a fantastic view over the Revolution Monument. It’s a fantastic place to sit, sip, and snack at any time of the day.

Go early in the day to relax and soak up the sun, or head up there at sunset to watch the lights come on across the city – and wait for the party to start.

The food here is excellent – and it’s designed for sharing, so bring friends with you! All the meals come with fresh, soft tortillas and ensalada nopales to freshen your palate.

The bar serves beer, wine, and a great selection of local mezcals and tequila.

Terraza Cha Cha Cha | Address: Avenida de la República 157 (Cuauhtemoc)

LA AZOTEA ROOFTOP

Another great rooftop bar in Mexico City, this one is completely open air. Give it a miss if it’s raining, and take sunscreen if it’s a blazing hot day!

It’s located on top of Chaya B&B Boutique Hotel in CDMX, which is also a great place to stay during your visit to the city. Having said that, you don’t need to be a guest to enjoy this rooftop spot, it’s open for anyone to come and enjoy the drinks and snacks.

The downside to this rooftop bar is that it’s on the fourth floor…and there’s elevator. So be prepared to walk up a few flights of stairs. This also means it’s not suitable if you’re in a wheelchair or have problems in general with lots of stairs.

Come here for the views, the craft beer, the huge cocktail menu, and the small but tasty snack menu. It’s a great central spot for meeting friends and checking out the view across Alameda Park to the central city.

La Azotea at Chaya Boutique Hotel | Address: Calle Dr Mora (Centro Historico)

EL MAYOR

A short stroll from the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlán in Mexico City’s historic center, El Mayor has a lovely rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a hearty Mexican breakfast, lunch, or some cheap, icy cold beers after a hard day’s sightseeing in the city.

You’ll find the entrance inside the Porrua bookstore. Just head to the elevators and go straight to the third floor of the building.

Bask in the sun, or sit in the shade under the large terrace awnings and marvel at the wonder of the Templo Mayor Aztec ruins below.

For foor, you can enjoy anything from simple snacks like quesadillas, to classic Mexican meals with a modern twist. At the bar, you’ll find local and international beer, a classic cocktail menu, plus spirits, juice, and sodas.

If you’re here for breakfast, you’ll find all the usual Mexican options, plus a great coffee and fresh juices.

El Mayor | Address: República de Argentina 15 (Historic Center)

Best Cocktail Bars In Mexico City

Mexico has a ton of great bars, and among them are some of the world’s top rated cocktail bars and mixologists.

Some of them are on the street, but others are hidden in plain sight – so you need to be in the know to find them!

HANDSHAKE SPEAKEASY

Behind an unmarked black door at the entrance of a somewhat boring looking hotel lobby, lies a dimly lit trip back in time to a Gatsby-styled 1920s bar – complete with velvet seating, mirrors, chandeliers, and some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. In my life. Seriously.

The entire cocktail menu here begs to be tried, but as you only get 90 minutes per sitting here (it’s a tiny venue) – you need to choose wisely if you can only make it here once during your stay in CDMX.

My cocktail recommendations: The fig martini, and the butter mushroom Old Fashioned (complete with tiny, crunchy enoki mushrooms that you nibble while you sip). I rated these both as completely off the charts in terms of perfect flavors.

These works of alcoholic art are courtesy of César Ponce – who is one of Mexico’s top mixologists. And with his genius, Handshake is another Mexico City bar that’s rated in the top 50 bars in the world.

Reservations are essential here – but having said that, we got lucky and walked right in due to a last-minute cancellation.

Handshake Speakeasy | Address: Calle Amberes 65 (Colonia Juarez)

HANKY PANKY

Rated at #12 of the top 50 bars in the world, Hanky Panky is a suave, dim speakeasy serving incredible cocktails.

If you’ve been dreaming of a cocktail bar like you see in the movies, this is it. Plush red leather seats, a marble bar, cool bartenders who know their stuff and aren’t afraid to show it off, this bar has shot to fame around the world in the short time that it’s been open.

The entrance is behind a shabby old sandwich shop – cleverly disguising all the clandestine cocktail goodness that lurks behind this forlorn facade. You can sit in cosy booths, or at the bar. I always recommend the bar, because watching these mixologists make these drinks is like watching artists at work.

Reservations are useful here, but you can always try your luck and see if the bar’s full when you walk past.

Pro tip: To find the location of Hanky Panky and make a reservation, go to their Facebook page and send them a message.

Hanky Panky | Address: It’s a secret! (Colonia Juárez)

XAMAN

Another speakeasy cocktail bar that’s a little hard to find, Xaman is the perfect choice if you’re looking for something a little different. It’s a cosy, low-lit space that’s great to tuck yourself away in after a long day working or exploring the city.

The cocktails are based around the concepts of shamanism, with a focus on the power of plants, nature, and creating a setting to enjoy these drinks and music in.

You’ll find intriguing items on their drinks menu using local ingredients like cacao, prickly pear, artisan vinegar, kombucha, and teas and tinctures of various types.

It’s a bit of a magnet for hipsters, and the drinks are complemented by guest DJs and shamanic electro beats.

Xaman | Address: Copenhague 6 (Colonia Juárez)

LICORERIA LIMANTOUR

Another of Mexico City’s cocktail bars that are in the world’s top 50 is Licoreria Limantour. It’s rated #6 in this list. This bar has been serving impeccable cocktails for over a decade, and it’s a must-visit when you’re in the Roma neighborhood.

The pace here is slow and languid, and the mixologists take a lot of time and patience crafting every drink for their patrons. They’re stunning to look at, and the flavors are balanced and masterful. You can order your favorite classics here, but I totally recommend going outside your comfort zone and asking the bartender for their recommendations.

Licoreria Limantour | Address: Av. Álvaro Obregón 106 (Roma North)

GIN GIN

This is a local chain of bars, but if you appreciate the Victorian gothic aesthetic, it’s a great place to stop in and get a cocktail or a bite to eat.

Gin is obviously the house liquor of choice here, but you can order pretty much anything from your favorite classic cocktail to one of the specially crafted drinks on their menu.

Gin Gin | Address: Avenida Oaxaca 87 (Roma North)

• Check out all of the Gin Gin locations on the map at the end of this article
  

FELINA

If you dig great cocktails, mid-century decor, and obscure jazz and soul tunes, Felina in CDMX is the perfect bar.

Head to Condesa in the weekend for relaxed Sunday vibes, or after 5pm during the week to mingle with the city’s arty, hip crowd and enjoy some of the best cocktails the city has to offer

Felina | Address: Calle Ometusco 87 (Condesa)

LA BIPO

This bar should be on your list if you’re a fan of pop art and Mexican pop culture. It’s a fun, cantina-style atmosphere, and the menu has a cool lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) vibe.

Co-owned by Diego Luna (a popular Mexican movie star) – you’ll find La Bipo tucked away in the Coyoacan neighborhood. It’s a great place to stop if you’re planning to visit the Frida Kahlo museum or Xochimilco canals.

You’ll find a full cocktail bar here, mezcals, and a great selection of beers too. The food is pretty good (think burgers, seafood, snacks, and steaks), and there are DJs and live music on rotation throughout the week if you’re looking for a place to hang out south of central CDMX.

La Bipo | Address: Malintzin 155, Del Carmen (Coyoacan)

Best Absinthe Bar In Mexico City

MAISON ARTEMISIA

If you’ve been hanging out to find an absinthe bar, look no further than Maison Artemisia. They specialize in this elegant liquor, and have their own custom house blend.

This bar is situated inside a mansion – it’s a small, cosy affair, and it’s the perfect spot to indulge in the green fairy. If you’re not into absinthe, you can order a wide range of other drinks, or request your favorite cocktail instead. This bar also has a restaurant menu if you need some snacks while you drink.

Maison Artemisia | Address: Tonalá No. 23 (Roma North)

Best Traditional Bars (Cantinas) In Mexico City

It’s hard to walk around Mexico City without accidentally falling into one of it’s traditional cantinas, especially if you’re in the historic center.

If you’re just after a cold beer after a hard day sightseeing in the dry, Mexican heat – any of these traditional bars will fit the bill.

But if you’re after something special – these are my two top picks for traditional bars in CDMX.

CANTINA TIO PEPE

My absolute favorite place to get a quick beer or an evening cocktail. Or an afternoon cocktail and an evening cocktail. They open at midday, don’t judge me!

Located in the heart of crazy Chinatown, close to the Bellas Artes museum, this cantina has been serving drinks since the 1800s. Nothing much has changed since then, so it feels like stepping back in time.

I love this bar particularly for it’s dim lighting, and for the 1920’s music (and occasional 80s hits) that’s always at a low volume you can talk over. It doesn’t have too many tourists, so it’s a nice place to sit and feel the local vibe. It’s a must-visit!

I’m quite traditional when it comes to cocktails, and my favorite here is the Martini secco (dry martini). I also highly recommend their Mezcal Margarita and Mezcal Rojo.

You always get free peanuts with your drink here, and you can also order mini tortas if you’re feeling snacky.

Tio Pepe Cantina | Address: Av Independencia 26 (Chinatown, Historic Centre)

LA OPERA BAR

Another must-drink-at cantina is the Opera Bar, where Pancho Villa is rumoured to have ridden in on horseback and shot a hole in the ceiling. The hole is apparently still there, but I’ve never managed to find it. I haven’t asked the staff, because it’s my own personal challenge to locate it every time I go there.

It opened in 1876, and not much has changed since then. It’s been a popular dining spot throughout its history, with top dignitaries and revolutionaries, artists, and politicians coming here to meet and talk business.

This bar is grand in every way – from it’s huge, carved mahogany bar to individual booths, sparkling mirrors and chandeliers, and smartly dressed waiters. It has a feeling of opulence, but not so much that you don’t feel comfortable going in there rocking shorts and a t-shirt.

It’s always busy, but try and pick a time that’s more off-peak so you can get a seat. I prefer to sit at the bar, but there are plenty of tables and booths if that’s more your style.

The dry martinis here are great, and also the mezcal margaritas. Plus you’ll get a free, small plate of warm refried beans and totopos with your drink too. On the menu you’ll find a large range of traditional, French inspired food ranging from chilaquiles to the exotic (and from what I can gather, really popular) escargot.

La Opera Bar | Address: Avenida 5 de Mayo #10 (Historic Center)

Best Mezcal Bars In Mexico City

Mezcal is pretty much an obligatory drink to try when you’re in Mexico, and you’ll find it at most of the bars here. But if you’re looking for a special mezcal experience, these are my top picks.

BOSFORO

With its dive bar vibes and hipster clientele, Bosforo is a fantastic little place to sample some of the finest mezcals on offer in Mexico.

It’s cosy and narrow, and has an upstairs mezzanine – which is my choice of seating, if you can find room up there.

Most of Bosforo’s 40+ types of mezcal are artisanal small batch style, with handwritten labels on plain bottles. So the variety of mezcal changes all the time here.

This bar has grown steadily in popularity, despite being quite hard to find. There are no signs outside, just a dark, velvet curtain marking the entrance. Get there early if you want to find a seat, as I’m pretty sure they don’t do reservations here.

Bosforo | Address: Luis Moya 31 (Historic Center)

ALIPUS CONDESA

Located in the popular Condesa neighborhood, Alipus Endémico boasts a huge selection of wine, beers, and cocktails – plus an extensive mezcal selection.

Most of the drink options here are local Mexican selections (hence the “endemico” in the name) – so it’s a great place to try out the quality and variety of the country’s top mezcal and beer producers.

The food menu has a Oaxacan vibe – so make sure you try out the guacamole with chapulines (crispy, seasoned grasshoppers) which are one of Oaxaca’s specialities.

Alipus Condesa | Address: Cnr Aguascalientes and Alfonso Reyes 224 (Condesa)

XUNI MEZCALERIA

“Xuni” comes from the Zapotec language for “small” and “beautiful” – and that’s exactly what you’ll find when you step into this small, modern mezcaleria.

It’s clear that everyone here has a solid appreciation of quality mezcals, and there’s a wide variety on the menu. I especially recommend trying a mezcal cocktail (or two) while you’re here.

The food menu is artfully designed by international chefs to perfectly complement to your mezcal experience.

 Xuni Mezcaleria | Address: London 178 (Colonia Juarez)

Best Pulque Bars In Mexico City

PULQUERIA LOS INSURGENTES

If you’ve been dying to try traditional Mexican pulque, head over to this bar. It’s located in the Roma North district and is a cool, casual place that has live music, comedy nights, Mexican food, and a selection of plain, fruity, and flavorsome pulque options.

Made from fermented maguey (agave) sap, pulque has been enjoyed for thousands of years, and was considered to be the drink of the gods.

Even though the locals seem to love it – pulque is…definitely not for everyone. It has a viscous, slightly slimy quality that can make some people gag.

However, the pulque at Los Insurgentes is a LOT nicer than others I’ve tried around town – so this bar is always my recommendation if you’re about to start your pulque tasting journey. Maracuya (passionfruit) is the most popular flavor, and that’s what we’re drinking in the photos above.

This is a great venue which is a favorite for locals and tourists in equal measure. The building has multiple floors for various events, and the rooftop bar is split into two levels. There’s always a great vibe here, no matter which time of day or night you show up.

Pulqueria Los Insurgentes | Address: Avenida Insurgentes Sur 226 (Roma North)

The Best Gothic / Punk / Alternative Bar In Mexico City

EL REAL UNDER

the best bar in Mexico City for gothic, punk, metal, new wave, 80’s, and 90’s music – pretty much every alternative genre is catered for in this super cool little club. It has regular theme nights and live events too – well worth checking out if you’ve been craving some more underground music during your travels. It’s a little out of Mexico City center, so the best way to get there is by Uber.

If you need some fresh (or vintage) threads to dress yourself in before you go – head to Mexico City’s iconic gothic, punk, and heavy metal market Tianguis Cultural del Chopo which is held every Saturday.

El Real Under | Address: Av. División del Nte. 3003 (Coyoacan)

Map Of The Best Bars In Mexico City

Use this handy map to to find the best rooftop bars, cocktail bars, and cantinas in Mexico City. You can even download the map and use it offline to save data (click here for instructions). 

How To Get To The Best Bars In Mexico City

There are lot of transport options available in Mexico City, so please don’t drink and drive!

You can catch the metro (open til midnight), take a local bus, catch the metrobus, hail a cab, walk, or call an Uber – whichever is more convenient for you, and ensures you get there and back safely.

There are bars coming and going in Mexico City all the time, so it’s hard to keep up. If you’ve got a favorite spot you think I need to try, leave a comment below!

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