Mexico City
Centro Historico holds Mexico City's oldest drinking rooms, from cantinas that have poured since the 1800s to mezcalerias and rooftops over the cathedral. The streets around the Zocalo and Plaza Garibaldi reward walking between rounds. This guide covers the rooms worth planning a night around, what each does best, and when to go.
CENTRO · $$$ · CANTINA
La Opera is the marble-and-mirror cantina on Avenida 5 de Mayo that has poured since 1876, known for a bullet hole said to be Pancho Villa's in the ceiling. Tequila, brandy and botanas come with formal waiters. Best for a slice of old Mexico City over lunch. Busiest at weekend midday.
CENTRO · $$ · MEZCALERÍA
Bosforo is the candlelit mezcaleria on Luis Moya pouring small-batch agave from a short, changing list. The room is dark and tight, the music loud. Best for a slow mezcal session after dark. Go early to land a table.
CENTRO · $$$ · JAZZ CLUB
Zinco runs in a former bank basement on Motolinia, a low-ceilinged jazz club with live sets most nights. Cocktails and a cover charge come with the music. Best for a seated night of live jazz. Reserve for weekend sets, which sell out.
CENTRO · $$ · ROOFTOP BAR
Terraza Catedral sits on a rooftop on Republica de Brasil with the cathedral towers close enough to touch. Beer, micheladas and simple cocktails suit the hostel crowd. Best for a cheap drink with a big view. Sunset is the time to arrive.
GARIBALDI · $$ · CANTINA
Salon Tenampa anchors Plaza Garibaldi, the mariachi hall where roving bands play between tequila rounds since 1925. Murals cover the walls and the volume runs high. Best for a loud, classic Garibaldi night. Weekends bring the most mariachis.
CENTRO · $$ · CANTINA
Cafe de Tacuba keeps a tiled cantina corner inside its historic restaurant on Calle de Tacuba. Aguas, wine and classic spirits pair with the kitchen's antojitos. Best for a calm drink with dinner downtown. Weekday evenings stay quiet.
Use this guide as a route or a checklist. Centro Historico walks well by day and stays busy at night around the Zocalo and Garibaldi. Most cantinas take walk-ins, while the jazz club and weekend mariachi nights are worth booking.
For the wider city, start with the best bars in Mexico City, then narrow by occasion with the best live music bars in Mexico City and the best rooftop bars in Mexico City. Nearby, compare the bars in Polanco and the bars in Condesa.
Editorially curated by Marcus Webb. Venue details cross-checked against official sites, Time Out and Mexico City press in 2026.