Quick answer
Bósforo in Centro Histórico is the consensus Reddit pick — cheap pours of rare, unbranded mezcal in a gritty, candlelit space that feels like a secret you weren't supposed to find.
- Best overall
- Bósforo
- Price/value range
- 40–500+ MXN per pour
- Top-ranked pick
- Bósforo
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- Bósforo: Take an Uber to and from — Centro at night is sketchy.
- Tlecan: Make a reservation — it blew up after the Top 50 list and walk-ins are hard to get.
- La Clandestina: They can curate a tasting for you on the spot — just tell the bartender what you like and how adventurous you want to go.
Mexico City's mezcal scene goes far beyond the tourist-trap shots with orange and sal de gusano. From hole-in-the-wall cantinas in Centro pouring illegal artisanal mezcal for $1 a caballito, to curated tasting rooms in Roma where sommeliers walk you through expressions from Guerrero to Puebla — CDMX is arguably the best city in the world to drink mezcal outside of Oaxaca.
We dug through 80+ Reddit threads across r/Mezcal, r/MexicoCity, r/travel, and r/solotravel to find the bars, tasting rooms, and bottle shops that actual mezcal lovers keep recommending. These aren't the places on a "best cocktail bars" listicle — these are the spots where you'll find unbranded village mezcal, knowledgeable bartenders who can explain the difference between tobalá and madrecuishe, and an atmosphere that matches the spirit.
Prices range from 40 MXN ($2 USD) for a caballito at a dive to 500+ MXN ($25+) for a rare pechuga pour at a tasting room. Most of the best spots cluster in Roma Norte, Condesa, and Centro Histórico — all walkable or a cheap Uber apart.
Mezcalería Map
How we built this list
Sourced from 80+ Reddit threads across r/Mezcal, r/MexicoCity, r/travel, and r/solotravel. Picks are ranked by frequency of genuine recommendation, not advertising or hype.
1Bósforo
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Centro Histórico with a 40–120 MXN per pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 2,638 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · Luis Moya 31-local 2, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 40–120 MXN per pour · 4.5★
- Why it made the list
- Reddit's overwhelming #1 mezcal bar in CDMX. A gritty, candlelit Centro Histórico dive pouring rare, unbranded artisanal mezcal for pocket change. Each pour is around $1–2 USD. The bartenders cycle through expressions you won't find bottled anywhere — expect to try puntas, colas, and village mezcal from producers with no labels. Take an Uber there and back; don't wander Centro drunk at night.
- What to order
- Ask the bartender to choose — they'll pour whatever's freshest. Try the high-proof puntas if you can handle it. Multiple stages of the distillation are available.
Hours
2Tlecan
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Roma Norte with a 120–350 MXN per cocktail spend range
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 1,971 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · Av. Álvaro Obregón 228-Local 2, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 120–350 MXN per cocktail · 4.6★
- Why it made the list
- One of the most-mentioned mezcal bars in all of Reddit — and it landed on the World's 50 Best Bars list. Tlecan is a vibey Roma Norte spot where the cocktails are inventive and the mezcal selection is deep. It gets packed, so reservations are strongly recommended. The bar snacks are apparently excellent too.
- What to order
- Mezcal-forward cocktails are the move. Ask the bartender for a recommendation based on your taste. The bar snacks are worth ordering alongside.
Hours
3La Clandestina
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Condesa with a 80–250 MXN per pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 1,503 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · Av. Álvaro Obregón 298, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 80–250 MXN per pour · 4.4★
- Why it made the list
- A Condesa institution with a cult following. La Clandestina is known for its giant glass containers of mezcal from dozens of producers — you can order anything from a half-shot to a carafe. Part of the Mezcales Milagrito family (sister bar to El Palenquito). English-speaking staff can curate a tasting based on your preferences. The vibe is casual, the selection is massive, and the staff actually knows their agave.
- What to order
- Start with a half-shot flight of 3–4 different expressions. Try the tobalá and madrecuishe side by side. Be careful with the carafe option — it's bigger than it looks.
Hours
4Mis Mezcales
Tasting RoomQuick comparison
- Best for
- Tasting Room in Roma with a 100–400 MXN per tasting/pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.9★ from 219 Google reviews · Tasting Room · Coahuila 138, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 100–400 MXN per tasting/pour · 4.9★
- Why it made the list
- The most recommended mezcal shop-slash-tasting room in all of CDMX Reddit threads. Mis Mezcales has an upstairs tasting room where they walk you through phenomenal artisanal mezcal, plus a shop with hard-to-find bottles you can take home. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable. Make a reservation for the tasting — it books up.
- What to order
- Book the upstairs tasting experience (reservations required via their website). The staff will guide you through 5–6 expressions. Buy bottles to take home — prices are way better than the US.
Hours
5Salón de Agave
Tasting RoomQuick comparison
- Best for
- Tasting Room in Roma Norte with a 300–800 MXN per tasting spend range
- Strengths
- 5★ from 85 Google reviews · Tasting Room · Merida 216-3b, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- worth every peso
- Price / value
- 300–800 MXN per tasting · 5★
- Why it made the list
- The most curated agave spirits tasting in CDMX. Salón de Agave doesn't just do mezcal — they cover tequila, bacanora, sotol, and raicilla too. The guided tastings are educational and tailored to your group's experience level. This is where serious agave nerds go to level up their knowledge. Not cheap, but worth every peso.
- What to order
- Book a guided tasting (reservation required). They'll cover mezcal plus other agave distillates — tequila, bacanora, sotol, raicilla. Ask for the full spectrum tasting if you want the most diverse experience.
Hours
6Mezcalia
Bottle ShopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Bottle Shop in Condesa with a 150–600+ MXN per bottle tasting spend range
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 390 Google reviews · Bottle Shop · Av Sonora 119, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 150–600+ MXN per bottle tasting · 4.6★
- Why it made the list
- A beautifully curated bottle shop near Parque España in Condesa with a knowledgeable owner who lets you taste almost anything before buying. The selection focuses on small-production artisanal mezcal. Redditors consistently praise the staff's expertise and willingness to open bottles for sampling. Best bottle selection in CDMX by most accounts.
- What to order
- Tell the staff what flavors you like and let them guide you. They'll open bottles for tasting. Great place to buy bottles to take home — prices are much better than the US.
Hours
7El Palenquito
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Roma with a 80–250 MXN per pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 1,126 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · Av. Álvaro Obregón 39, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 80–250 MXN per pour · 4.5★
- Why it made the list
- Sister bar to La Clandestina, part of the Mezcales Milagrito family. El Palenquito pours their house labels — Mezcal La Clandestina and Enmascarado — plus other artisanal expressions. The vibe is warm and the staff is friendly. Redditors note the cocktails especially shine here. Giant glass jars of mezcal line the bar, which is always a good sign.
- What to order
- The cocktails are where the house mezcals really shine. Also try neat pours of their Enmascarado label. Ask about the cenizo expression.
Hours
8Sabra Dios
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Condesa with a 100–300 MXN per pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 75 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · Av. Veracruz 15, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Price / value
- 100–300 MXN per pour · 4.3★
- Why it made the list
- A Condesa mezcal bar with what multiple Redditors describe as an "insane" selection. Sabra Dios is a go-to for mezcal lovers who want variety without the tasting-room formality. Casual atmosphere, deep menu, and bartenders who know their stuff. Worth the Uber from Centro if you're staying in the historic district.
- What to order
- Ask the bartender to surprise you with something unusual. The selection is deep enough that they can tailor to any taste profile — smoky, floral, fruity, funky.
9La Botica
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Multiple locations with a 60–180 MXN per pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 445 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · C. Orizaba 161, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 60–180 MXN per pour · 4.4★
- Why it made the list
- The best-value mezcal bar in CDMX with several locations around the city. La Botica offers decent prices for above-average mezcal — it's a reliable go-to spot with a rotating stock. The downside is inconsistency: what's available changes frequently, so don't go expecting a specific bottle. Great for casual mezcal drinking without breaking the bank.
- What to order
- After your first round, let the bartender choose for you — they know what's good from the current stock. Prices are the most reasonable in the city.
Hours
10Ticuchi
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Polanco with a 150–400 MXN per pour/cocktail spend range
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 1,049 Google reviews · Restaurant · Petrarca 254, Chapultepec Morales, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 150–400 MXN per pour/cocktail · 4.3★
- Why it made the list
- A Polanco restaurant that doubles as one of CDMX's best mezcal experiences. Ticuchi combines excellent Oaxacan food with a serious mezcal program — they carry rare bottles including Real Minero and La Locura. The bartenders can set you up with a guided tasting flight. It's the only pick on this list where the food is as much a draw as the mezcal.
- What to order
- Order the tasting flight and let the bartender curate it. Pair with the Oaxacan dishes — the food is as good as the mezcal. Ask about Real Minero availability.
Hours
11Casa Murciélago
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Coyoacán with a 100–300 MXN per pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 329 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · Malintzin 199, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 100–300 MXN per pour · 4.7★
- Why it made the list
- A Coyoacán gem that keeps showing up in Reddit threads as a slightly off-the-beaten-path mezcal destination. Casa Murciélago offers a solid selection in one of CDMX's most charming neighborhoods. It's a great add to a day of exploring Coyoacán's markets and Frida Kahlo museum area. Less touristy than Roma/Condesa options.
- What to order
- Ask for recommendations from the house selection. Great for a post-museum mezcal session in Coyoacán.
Hours
12Kaaj Mezcalería
Mezcal BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mezcal Bar in Roma Norte with a 100–350 MXN per pour spend range
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 203 Google reviews · Mezcal Bar · Av. Yucatán 99, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
- Limitations
- Check hours before you go
- Price / value
- 100–350 MXN per pour · 4.7★
- Why it made the list
- A newer mezcalería in Roma Norte focused on unbranded, small-producer mezcal with fruit and salt pairings. Kaaj specializes in the kind of mezcal you literally can't buy in stores — direct from producers, no labels, just quality agave. They offer pairing accompaniments (fruits, salts, chocolate) that enhance each expression. A mezcal nerd's dream.
- What to order
- Order from the unbranded mezcal list and ask for the pairing accompaniments — fruits, salts, and chocolates matched to each pour. This is the way mezcal is meant to be experienced.
Hours
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does mezcal cost at bars in Mexico City?
A caballito (small pour) at a dive like Bósforo can be as low as 40–90 MXN ($2–5 USD). Craft cocktails at places like Tlecan run 120–350 MXN ($6–18). Tasting room experiences at Salón de Agave or Mis Mezcales typically cost 300–800 MXN ($15–40) for a guided flight of 5–6 expressions. Rare pours (pechuga, aged expressions) can hit 500+ MXN ($25+).
What's the best neighborhood for mezcal bars in CDMX?
Roma Norte and Condesa have the highest concentration of mezcalerías, tasting rooms, and bottle shops — most within walking distance of each other. Centro Histórico has Bósforo, the Reddit consensus #1. Coyoacán and Polanco have standout spots (Casa Murciélago, Ticuchi) but they're more spread out.
Do I need reservations at CDMX mezcal bars?
For bars like Bósforo and La Botica, no. For tasting experiences at Mis Mezcales, Salón de Agave, and Pal'Alma, yes — book at least 3–5 days ahead, especially on weekends and in high season. Tlecan strongly benefits from a reservation since it made the World's 50 Best Bars list.
What should I order if I'm new to mezcal?
Start with an espadín — it's the most common agave variety and a good baseline. Then try a tobalá (more floral and complex) and a madrecuishe (herbal and earthy) to understand the range. Any bartender at the spots on this list will happily guide you. Skip the sal de gusano-and-orange routine — that's for tourist bars.
Can I buy mezcal bottles to bring home from these bars?
Mis Mezcales and Mezcalia are primarily bottle shops with tasting rooms — perfect for buying. Ticuchi has a limited selection for sale. Most bars (Bósforo, Tlecan, La Clandestina) serve but don't sell bottles. Prices are significantly cheaper than the US — expect 400–2000 MXN ($20–100) for artisanal bottles that would cost 2–3x stateside.
🎟️ Book Mexico City Experiences
Tours and activities hand-picked for this guide — book with free cancellation
Experiences via Viator — free cancellation on most tours