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Whenever a place is well-known for a particular spirit, you can often find excellent cocktail bars there too. That’s definitely the case in Oaxaca, Mexico. The region is famous for its mezcal production, and the city is filled with great mezcal bars and tasting rooms. There are also dozens of great bars serving creative cocktails with mezcal (and more!), many of which incorporate the region’s unique flavors. I visited as many bars as I could in the city in order to find the best spots. Here are my favorite cocktail bars in Oaxaca de Juárez.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Oaxaca, Mexico
Selva Oaxaca Cocktail Bar
Selva is one of the most famous bars in Oaxaca. It has appeared many times on the list of the 50 Best Bars and other recommendation lists.
Reservations are recommended, but we were able to get one on a Saturday for just an hour later. We arrived early and had no problems being seated immediately.
There are a few seating options available. You can sit at the bar, at inside tables, or on the balcony seats with dramatic views of the cathedral (Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán) and the Anador Turistico below.
These balcony tables are tempting, but risky during the rainy season. We opted for the bar since we love sitting at bars, but we almost chose one of the tables. We made the right decision, as a sudden rainstorm required a brief evacuation of those spots.
Selva is known for its creative use of Oaxacan ingredients and local flavors. When we visited, the menu was inspired by the travels of Alexander Von Humboldt, who studied everything as he explored, including climate and the natural world.
We stayed for several drinks, including the Aspic, Morada, and Miahuatlan.
But it was the Selva, the bar’s signature creation, that blew me away. This cocktail includes several local ingredients like mezcal, hoja santa, and even Oaxacan cheese. It’s the drink pictured at the top of this page.
Address: C. Macedonio Alcalá #403-int. 6, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Sabina Sabe
Sabina Sabe is another Oaxaca bar that has received repeated accolades from 50 Best Bars, Top 500 Bars, and other awards over the years.
There’s both a bar area and restaurant seating. As always, I recommend sitting at the bar, since I love seeing the bartenders in action and chatting with them when they have a few minutes.
The vibes start with an excellent music playlist featuring 80s New Wave, rock, and pop, including Depeche Mode, The Cure, Talking Heads, Billy Idol, The Smiths, Queen, Stevie Wonder, ELO, and more. And yes, also the Alan Parsons Project, which I heard repeatedly all over Oaxaca.
The cocktail menu includes signature cocktails, of course, but there are also classics, plus you can request anything you want from the skilled bartenders. There’s also a large mezcal selection. It is Oaxaca, after all.
I started with the Pequeño Gigante, an excellent concoction of balanced herbal and citrusy flavors. Then I had the Paloma Margarita.
My girlfriend enjoyed the Chilito Rose, then the Fresco Fresco Negroni. I especially loved the cardamom finish on the latter.
Since we wanted to stay even longer, I then requested a Little Italy, one of my favorite cocktails. It’s not authentically local in any way, but I was in the mood, and it was highlighted on the menu, so I figured I’d go for it. It was superb.
All the cocktails at Sabina Sabe are well-balanced and flavorful, with many incorporating local ingredients.
The food is also excellent, so go hungry.
We loved the Botana Ejuetca, a sampler plate featuring Oaxaca’s best bar snacks.
The Molotes de Platano were also superb.
Address: 5 de Mayo 209, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Mezcalería Hora Mágica
Mezcalería Hora Mágica is a mezcal tasting room and cocktail bar serving some of the most creative cocktails in Oaxaca.
If you’re looking for ingredients that typify the region, Mezcalería Hora Mágica is the place to go. As a bonus, the cocktails are cheaper than those at other fancy mixology bars in the city.
Several cocktails are inspired by the best dishes in Oaxaca.
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For example, I started with Coctel Oaxaqueno, made with secret mole, orange juice, and mezcal.
So many times I’ve had insects fly into a drink, but next, I purposely ordered one.
I had the Uxharu, which contained chapulines (grasshoppers), tamarind, mango, and mezcal. It just might be the best and most unique cocktail in Oaxaca.
It’s a feature, not a bug.
Meanwhile, my girlfriend liked the Tropico and the Hora Mágica.
We were in great hands with Bogar, the bartender who served us. It was a quiet evening, so he not only chatted with us but also gave us samples of mezcal and tasting tips. Drink slowly – little kisses, like the neon sign in the bar.
Address: Av. José María Morelos 1006, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Bocaflor
Bocaflor is a tiny speakeasy-style bar and coffee shop hidden inside the Marchanta store.
Unlike most speakeasies, it’s not a dark room. Instead, it’s bright thanks to a skylight, with green and pink tiles on the walls and on the wood-topped bar.
The bar has just five seats, though there’s also a little patio.
The menu includes creative signature cocktails and classics. There are also small snacks such as pastries and burrata.
I enjoyed the Quizas, Quizas, Quizas, while my girlfriend enjoyed the Alma Mia.
Since it’s inside a store, Bocaflor isn’t open late, but it’s a nice place to kick off an afternoon or evening of drinks.
Address: Av. José María Morelos 802, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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El Espacio: Cocktail, Mezcal & Agave Bar
The ethos of El Espacio is front and center in everything the bar does.
A light-up sign in the bar says “Great Minds Drink (Alike)”, while a wall mural reads “Mezcal is cheaper than therapy.”
Many of the house cocktails and classics feature mezcal, while others focus on other spirits.
The menu goes even further in detailing the bar’s mission, reading “Our house cocktails are made using fresh ingredients and techniques in the extraction of flavors from plants to capture them in each cocktail without while still maximising their medicinal properties.”
That sounds like a lot to live up to, but the cocktails are excellent with authentically Oaxacan flavors.
For example, I enjoyed the Suspiro, which contained bougainvillea, Kiko mezcal, red vermouth, lime, and cinnamon.
My girlfriend went a little more traditional, with their house negroni made with mezcal.
Address: Reforma 502a, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Ocote cocina
I love Ocote Cocina because it’s got something for everyone, any time of day.
It’s a restaurant, a bakery, and a beer-and-cocktail bar, all in one bright, colorful space.
In addition to great food and craft beer, there are also nice drinks made with local spirits.
We enjoyed the Corazón de Abeja, made with Mezcal Espadín, macerated with toasted cacao and an infusion of four botanicals, honey reduction, and Rose’s lime, as well as the Mula Terca, made with house ginger beer, lemon juice, a cold apple infusion, Oaxacan vodka, and mineral water.
Address: 5 de Mayo 107, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Expendio Tradición
Expendio Tradición is a restaurant and cocktail bar with a bit more of an upscale feel.
It’s decorated with agaves and has comfortable, stylish chairs and wood tables. Jazz, R&B, and oldies set a romantic mood.
We visited for mezcal cocktails and dessert. We were pleasantly surprised that they even offer a dessert tasting, so we could try several dishes, including Grandmothers’ corn pancake, Istmo cheese flan, and chocolate cake.
The cocktails are inventive and incorporate local flavors. As a nice touch, the menu even lists which specific mezcal is in each cocktail. Most places don’t do that, so it’s great to see the producers highlighted. Mexcal has a wide range of flavors, making each one suitable for different cocktail flavor profiles.
The Chapulín was an enjoyable mix of Mezcal Tehuana Abocado con Gusano, pineapple juice, agave honey, and chapulines.
Rojo Tradición, my girlfriend’s choice, was a fruity drink made with Mezcal Los Cuerudos Joven, watermelon, cranberry juice, lime, and natural syrup.
Address: Reforma, Murguía &, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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El Cortijo Cocktail Room
Unlike some cities, there aren’t many hotel bars in Oaxaca known for their cocktails. One exception to this is El Cortijo Cocktail Room, located inside Hotel Casa Santo Tomas.
The menu includes house cocktails and classics.
I enjoyed Cortijoni, their take on a Negroni, while my girlfriend thought the Berry Good was very good.
As with any good bar, there’s also plenty of mezcal available, including tastings.
Address: C. de Mariano Abasolo 305, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., México (map)
La Cueva Oaxaca
La Cueva Oaxaca is an excellent bar with quality artisanal Mexican cocktails, mezcal, and craft beer.
The bar offers a handful of signature cocktail creations along with classics.
I found the Sol del Este to be outstanding.
The combination of lots of local flavors, including pesto fat-washed Oaxacan rum, avocado liqueur, pineapple, and lemon, made it one of my favorite cocktails in Oaxaca.
Address: Miguel Hidalgo 1203, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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El Olivo Gastrobar
I first went to El Olivo Gastrobar for their good selection of Mexican craft beer, but once I saw their cocktail menu, I had to stay a bit longer.
El Olivo has a nice bar area, plus a rooftop terrace. It’s a really great place.
The cocktail list includes drinks incorporating local flavors.
For example, the tasty Sangrey del Maguey, which is what I had, is made with Espadín mezcal, mango shrub, citrus liqueur, and hibiscus tea.
The dishes include tapas, charcuterie and cheese boards, pastas, paella, seafood, and meat. During happy hour, there are free tapas with each drink.
Address: C/ de la Constitución 207, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante
Most of the best restaurants in Oaxaca have cocktail menus, but the drinks at Casa Oaxaca are my favorite.
The rooftop patio not only has excellent food (their Mole Manchamantel is one of my favorite dishes in the city), but its seasonal signature cocktails are also not to be missed.
I had Piña Miel, which included mezcal, Absolut Smoky Piña, pineapple-honey, lemongrass, and homemade vermouth.
Meanwhile, my girlfriend had the Mango, an inventive concoction made with mezcal, mango, banana, Nami sake, and cardamom.
Both were tasty, subtle, elegant, balanced cocktails.
In addition to the seasonal specials, there are also mezcalinis, classic cocktails, and a robust spirits menu.
Address: Constitución 104-A, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Vino & Vinyl
Vino & Vinyl is more of a wine bar than a cocktail bar, but it’s a fun hangout spot.
The cocktails are mostly classics or twists on classics, though there are also some original creations.
I love a mule, so I went with the Mula Oaxaquena, while my girlfriend had the fruity and refreshing Fresca Gallardia.
The food menu includes charcuterie, pastas, pizzas, tapas, and more.
What makes Vino & Vinyl special is their record collection. You can peruse their collection, which has a good mix of music through the decades, and select an album for them to play.
I wanted to make picks that everyone would know and enjoy, so I chose a couple of greatest-hits albums from Creedence Clearwater Revival and David Bowie.
Address: Reforma 201, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Mezcalogia
Mezcalogia is a small mezcal tasting room that also offers mezcal cocktails.
The menu isn’t huge, and they don’t always have everything listed in stock, but the cocktails we had were great.
I liked the Cremino, which had a nice touch of Frangelico, while my girlfriend really enjoyed the Mixe.
Address: C. de Manuel García Vigil 509, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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A few Oaxaca cocktail bars are no longer open, including El Destilado, El Gallo at Centro Cultural del Mezcal, and E-B Cocktail House OAX.
