Its unique cuisine, fine art, good vibes, and, most importantly, its liquor make Oaxaca one of the world’s most magical places. The distilled maguey smoky spirit represents the heart of this Mexican state.. With over 70% of production in the country, the Southern Mexican state is known as the capital of Oaxaca mezcal.
Mezcaleria bars specializing in Mexico mezcal can be found across the city. Mezcal is considered an unforgettable, unpredictable, and magical drink. The city has the most remarkable diversity of maguey plants hence a wide variety of flavors to traverse.
Alcohol connoisseurs visiting Oaxaca can taste this magical drink and learn about the twist of this drink that’s soaked in tradition. At the same time, you can enjoy a variety of Mexican flavors and cocktails. The best experience comes with sipping it at the best mezcalerias in the city.
Whether you are an established fan or a first-time sipper, the best way to have a great experience and learn is to forget your preconceptions and throw yourself into the hands of those who live and breathe this alcohol. The bars, tasting rooms, and restaurants in Oaxaca will give you a broader understanding of the tradition, culture, landscapes, and the natural world of Oaxacan liquor and the delicious things it can offer in one unforgettable sip.
After a tasting room visit or visiting a traditional distillery, round up your experience at some of the ten best mezcal bars to learn about this tasty drink in a fun way by drinking it. If you’re visiting this beautiful state and don’t know where to start, this blog post will show you exactly where to go.
1. Mezcaloteca
Your first lesson is at the Mezcaleria Oaxaca bar La Mezcaloteca where you’ll learn new things and leave with a deeper perspective about mezcal. It’s an appointment-only mezcaleria that is the most renowned in the city and is, therefore, a great spot to make your first stop.
The place offers a serious vibe and will give you an educational experience that will provide you with the basic knowledge to help you enjoy your entire trip and understand this complex drink. You will learn that aged alcohol is not considered authentic and that by shaking the bottle, you can tell if the alcohol content is correct.
I highly recommend that you start your experience at Mezcaloteca, whether you are a fan or a first-time sipper. At this mezcaleria oaxaca bar, you can be able first to drum up some knowledge so that you can appreciate all other tastings.
It’s a quiet bar that offers an aura of an old library. If you are a newbie, you can let them guide you, but if you are an expert, you can go ahead and ask for what you want. Mezcaloteca is one of the first brands to put the production information on the label, and it partners with producers from villages all over Oaxaca.
2. Mezcaleria Oaxaca: In Situ Mezcaleria
Known as a mecca of Mexican alcohol, In Situ Mezcaleria is a must-visit for those who want more than just a taste of this historic and flavorful beverage. The mezcaleria was co-founded by Ulises Torrontera and his welcoming wife Sandra to promote the culture of mezcal. The small mezcaleria has walls decorated with old bottles of the drink and books that offer a welcoming vibe.
It also offers an educational experience by providing three variety tastings with educational cards. You can learn about different flavors based on the distillation process and agave type. You can always choose between a glass of wine, sip on a cocktail, or beer bottles since they serve a vast collection of mezcal craft.
This mezcaleria oaxaca bar sources its product from surrounding villages and is known to offer lots of high-quality varieties to sip. You will find all kinds of Oaxacan varieties in this intimate bar, some you’ve heard of and some you haven’t. Their drink is curated from various Mezcaleros around the state and is a must-visit spot for serious drinkers.
Their drinks come at a premium since the mezcaleria has a reputation for being one of the very best in the city. According to experts, although it’s a lot more costly than others, it’s worth every cent.
If you’d like to experience a tour instead, I recommend Get your Guide and the tours below. They are a very reputable tour company and will provide some of the best experiences.
3. Mezcalogia
Despite being small, Mezcalogia is an almost always a bustling mezcaleria. The tables are often full when there is live music, but it is a great spot to hang out if you can find space. It serves some of the most favorite Oaxacan cocktails in town, and it strikes a balance of an extensive and quality mezcal list and a casual bar.
The candle-lit, wood worked, and intimate bar is owned by the owners of the brand Nuestra Soledad and El Jolgorio. This is the best place for you if you have always wanted to try El Jolgorio with their beautiful label, but you haven’t because of the prices. You will be greeted, welcomed, and served by friendly bartenders from all over the world who are experts in Mexican liquor.
It’s a beautiful place to wrap up your day after a sumptuous Oaxacan dinner with live and mellow music. Mezcalogia is worth trying, and the bar also sells bottles of what they have on its shelves. It offers great cocktail mixtures.
What is loved about mezcalogia is its friendly bartenders who will explain things in a manner easy to understand. They have an excellent command of English and will engage you in all things about Mexico mezcal so that you won’t be bored. Mezcalogia is a beautiful place for anyone who truly wants to understand this Oaxaca mezcal, including its ins and outs.
Located in the heart of Oaxaca’s central tourist area, about a 3-minute walk from Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman, Mezcalogia is a spot worth visiting.
4. La Mezcalerita
This is a rusty, unpretentious yet trendy spot offering Oaxaca’s best mezcals. In fact, for mezcal and rooftop experience, this is the most incredible spot. While you can still enjoy your mezcal at the comfortable bar on the first floor, there is a large rooftop terrace that you may want to head to.
La Mezcalerita offers a surprisingly extensive selection of Mexico mezcal with a casual vibe. It also has an artisanal mezcal under its brand. Mezcalerita offers little plates, pulque, and local craft beers besides the great mezcal collection. Its exciting selection of local drinks and mezcal and the oversized rooftop is the main draw to the mezcaleria.
You won’t be surprised to realize that this spot has become one of your favorite places as it’s charming and quaint. The tremendous casual atmosphere and the rooftop for warm weather nights make it an ideal place to watch the parade passing below and the sunset.
It offers a zillion artisanal beers from Mexico beyond its impressive mezcal list. Besides the large rooftop, the bar features an oversized patio and three cozy rooms downstairs. This means you can enjoy yourself anywhere you want. It is the best mezcal bar recommended to cherish the nuances of the smoky Mexico mezcal.
The chilled music in the background and the incredible rooftop views make it an ideal place to relax and unwind. Even though it is not recommended for meals, you can always get small bites of Oaxacan specialties.
5. El Cortijo Mezcaleria
El Cortijo Mezcaleria is located in Oaxaca’s historic center and is one of the oldest mezcalerias in the state. It is dedicated to promoting the culture of Oaxaca mezcal. Since 1975, this family-owned business has been making mezcal, and they created El Cortijo, the first mezcal brand in Oaxaca, in 1951.
You can learn about how to taste the spirit and the artisanal mezcal production methods from Gustavo, the co-owner and 6th-generation mezcal maker. The bar is known for producing high-quality refined Oaxaca mezcal, with each bottle coming from small production batches with unique aromas and flavors. They also offer private tours for visitors to see their mezcal production process in their distillery.
El Cortijo Mezcal is at the top of the list for mezcal aficionados. Some of the best restaurants in Mexico such as Azul, El Chapulin and Pujol offer El Cortijo mezcal. The mezcaleria provides a beautiful space to learn about mezcal as it is conveniently located in the center of Oaxaca. Once in the bar, you can order and taste one of the finest El Cortijo mezcals and enjoy the delicious drink.
6. Cuish: Oaxaca Mezcaleria
The lovely mezcaleria in Oaxaca, Cuish, has two locations, with the new location downtown north of Santo Domingo and the old one a bit off the beaten path about five blocks south of the zocalo and a couple of blocks west. The new one is Expendio Cuish, while the original is Mezcaleria Cuish.
The Expendio Cuish offers a relaxed vibe, helpful bartenders, and an intimate space. The bartenders are patient in replying to visitors’ questions and will do a fantastic job carefully explaining to you the different mezcal brands. It offers cheap mezcal tasting in Oaxaca, and you will probably love the vintage glass bottles.
The rooms are simple, with a bench on one side and another on the opposite side. However, the mezcaleria is small, accommodating up to only four groups at a time. Mezcaleria Cuish, on the other hand, is very local and authentic. It is super cute with pretty minimalist décor and excellent tile. You can choose to enjoy your mezcal downstairs on the upstairs terrace, and the mezcal bar serves high-quality, exciting varieties.
The mezcaleria sources its mezcal from various distilleries in Oaxaca, and you may therefore discover your favorite flavor here. However, it is not the ideal spot at night and is recommended to visit during the day. It’s a must-make stop for every mezcal connoisseur.
7. Sabina Sebe
If you crave a cocktail, Sabina Sebe is your landing spot. The bar offers delicious and amazing mezcal cocktails. The adorable mezcaleria is decorated with pretty tiled floors in shabby chic style. In this bar, you will find lots of nooks and crannies.
The bar and restaurant provide a diverse collection of mezcal that is not associated with a specific brand. The mezcaleria has something for everyone and, therefore, is a great place to try some of the expensive bottles you may haveavoided because of the price. The bar has table service and is an ideal spot for a group of people.
Mezcal need not be enjoyed straight. Sabina Sebe sits at the forefront in adding nuances to the cocktail and has fostered exciting mezcal mixology. The walls of this bar hold tightly packed shelves of rare liquor like Oaxacan corn whiskey. The bartenders give you a refreshing cocktail experience by mixing refreshing drinks to your liking.
8. Archivo Maguey
Next to In Situ is the celebratory vibe of Archivo Maguey. This mezcal bar gets its mezcal collection from its producers all over Oaxaca. If you are not an expert with the various agaves, their menu is the best. The bars menu comes with a key of flavor descriptions for non-experts who do not know about mezcal and, most significantly, newbies. You can see the flavor profile of each mezcal menu through the symbols that are placed.
Even though the bar does not offer much sitting area, you’ll enjoy every single minute in the bar if you manage to get a table. Beyond mezcal, you can enjoy their food menu or enjoy the fantastic music played. There is a live band playing booming music or a DJ every night and providing an exciting vibe on weekends.
If other mezcalerias are closed, and you want to keep the party going, this is the place to go since it is a combination of a club and a mezcaleria. The area is almost always packed on weekends, and if you’re done sipping your drinks you can proceed to any of the many dance floors and enjoy reggaeton or cumbia. This mezcaleria offers a high-quality mezcal collection that you can choose from.
9. Oaxaca Mezcal: El Destilado
This is the best place if you want to enjoy both top-notch food and your magical mezcal. Aside from the rooftop taco bar, there is a dining area and a bar on the first floor. You’ll find 5 Sentidos mezcal at this mezcaleria. Joseph Gilbert and the amiable Jason Cox co-own the mezcal brand and the restaurant.
El Distilado is gaining fame in the United States as it releases one of the most unique brands on the market. You can also get a trip to Alberto Martinez, one of the greatest producers. The El Distilado rooftop restaurant will offer you a fantastic view of the murals by local Oaxacan artists and the famous Santo Domingo church. Jason Cox, the co-owner of this bar, provides a cosmic lineup of mezcals produced by renowned producers such as Atenogenes García from Miahuatlán and Alberto Martínez from Santa Catarina Albarradas.
The mezcal bar also features an unfussy and tasty menu of snacks, tacos, and other unique dishes from chef Joseph Gilbert.
10. La Casa del Mezcal
This colourfully designed traditional mezcaleria, La Casa del Mezcal, was established in 1935. It is an attraction for curious tourists and many locals from around. It is not just a typical trendy mezcal bar in the central district of Oaxaca; it is more of a local bar or a cantina serving exquisite and great mezcal.
It features a warm and friendly service, with the locals giving visitors a welcoming nod. It also offers the authentic ambiance of Mexico. The mezcaleria also provides a great collection of beers by brand and bottles beyond the magical and unforgettable mezcal experience.
The large mural, stained glass, and the décor make it a unique and distinctive hang-out spot with a magical experience. Even if you pass on the drinks, it is a place worth visiting. It is the best mezcal bar to enjoy a variety of flavors at reasonable prices.
Mezcal de Oaxaca
If you’re visiting Mexico, don’t miss out on experiencing this Oaxacan culture by tasting one or two varieties of mezcal. Even if you’re not a heavy drinker or don’t like strong drinks, you should probably try the culture of Oaxaca represented by the glass.
Even if you are a newbie and don’t have any fundamental knowledge about mezcal, you can still have a great experience in some of the best mezcalerias. They offer educational and learning opportunities that will help you appreciate the nuances of mezcal.
Whether you choose to sip the unforgettable drink at a restaurant, bar, or rooftop, you’ll still experience mezcal at its best. Once you’re done with your trip and leave Oaxaca, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the history and tradition of the drink.
There really is nowhere better to enjoy your mezcal experience than in Oaxaca in one of these fine mezcalerias and mezcal bars.
What do you think? Did I miss any great bars? Let me know in the comments below.
Hi I’m Shannon!
Hi, I’m Shannon and I’m a Canadian who fell in love with Mexico on my first trip to Puerto Vallarta when I was a young adult.
That started a 30 year love affair with this country which led to marrying my Mexican husband and building a home in Mexico. And now I have even a stronger connection to this gorgeous and complex country.
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