Caimán

Caimán sits at Avenida Nuevo León 120 in Condesa, a few blocks from Parque México and the Campeche Metrobús stop. The Infatuation's reviewer claims any weekend plan made with a chilango will eventually include it, and ranks it among the city's 19 best bars.

It opened in late 2021 as one of Condesa's few true bars rather than restaurant bars, and it has stayed packed since.

Winemaker Lucas D'Acosta of Aborigen in Valle de Guadalupe makes nine pét nat labels exclusively for the house.

A terrazzo bar top runs the small room, with wooden booths along the wall and a sidewalk terrace outside; Rico.guide and Time Out México both inventory it the same way. Google reviewers call it small and mean it.

The terrace before nightfall is the local move, and the textured tabletops photograph better than they should.

Start with the house pét nat, bottled from around 900 pesos, or a Negroni, the default order of Rico.guide's contributors. Time Out México rated the wine list, Austria through Valle de Guadalupe, above the hurried classics.

The kitchen sends homemade chips crowned with mussels, quail egg, and güero chiles, the dish Time Out calls the star, plus tinned sardines and boquerones.

The Infatuation describes effortlessly well dressed locals and tourists holding everything from coronitas to Negronis. Expect around 600 pesos a head per Time Out México, a wait for seats on weekends, and a 90s playlist setting a house party register.

What regulars say:

• The Infatuation: a fixture of any Mexico City weekend plan.
• Rico.guide: book the table beside the kitchen for drinks and people watching.
• Time Out México, three stars: the wine list and botanas outrun the rushed classic cocktails.

Who it is for:

• Wine curious drinkers choosing Mexican pét nat over another spritz
• A first date that needs a terrace exit option
• Avoid if a 15 minute wait for a drink ruins your night

Condesa's busiest small bar, and the pét nats earn the crowd. Go early and take the terrace.

Getting there: Av. Nuevo León 120, Condesa; Metrobús Campeche, a short walk from Parque México.

Timing: Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm to 2am; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Cost: About 600 pesos a head; pét nat bottles from around 900.

Make a night of it: Chips and mussels here at the terrazzo bar, then Baltra two blocks over for the quiet second act.