Your guide for where to drink mezcal, and more, when visiting Oaxaca. If you have any comments or additions just email us. And if you are looking to plan a mezcal tour, be sure to check out our page with a list of recommended guides and more. (Updated 2/21/2023)
Archivo Maguey – You never know what is going to happen at this spot. Great regional Mixtec cuisine, terrific small production mezcals, and impromptu live music. Calle Morelos 509, Centro, 68100 Oaxaca, OAX, Mexico. +52 951 350 0949
Baltazar – This quiet spot is located inside Casa Convite which offers not only bites and sips of mezcal, but also a mezcal museum, tasting room and boutique. Jesús Carranza #113, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro,
El Cortijo Mezcaleria – A chill spot across from the Camino Real hotel, you can enjoy mezcal from the El Cortijo brand alongside other mezcal in the collection. 5 de Mayo 305, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro
El Destilado – A restaurant that also contains a fun bar up front that is stocked with some fascinating mezcals that Jason Cox (Cinco Sentidos) has sourced from around Oaxaca. It’s a few steps from Santo Domingo which makes it ridiculously convenient when you’re in the tourist zone. Plus you can always order a snack or opt for the full tasting menu. 5 de Mayo 409, Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico
El Hijuelo Mezcaleria – Tasting room located at Calle de José María Pino Suárez 403, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro. Call for reservations – (951)347-5240
El Pochote Market – Two locations, this is a great organic market where you can also find mezcal. In the centro, Rayón 411and in Colonia Reforma Calle Almendros 417. Hours are generally 8am-4pm.
Espacio Oaxaca – Part bar, part mezcaleria, part art space that features cocktails, special mezcales and rotating artists and expositions. Located in the Centro on Reforma 502a.
Expendio Tradición – A restaurant featuring high design and mezcals from the Chagoya labels. Mexican gastropub menu with dishes like goose burger and octopus. Plus lots of cocktails. Murgia esquina Reforma, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, OAX, Mexico +52 951 501 1460
Guajolote de Oro – Part of the Grupo Amantes properties, this space is located a stones throw away from Santo Domingo and the Los Amantes mezcaleria. It is definitely a chic vibe and features cocktails and mezcal on a beautiful terrace. C. de Ignacio Allende 109, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro
In Situ – Without doubt this is the place to taste mezcal in Oaxaca. The selection of mezcal of vast and representative of so many different styles and flavors from all over Mexico – there is a reason why its nickname is the cathedral of mezcal. Calle Vicente Guerrero #413, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, OAX, Mexico
La Casa Grande – Part store, part tasting room, La Casa Grande showcases not only great mezcal from Real Minero but also other agave and Mexican craft spirits selected by Graciela Angeles from around the country. Open 12-7pm. Calle Vicente Guerrero 413, Centro.
La Mala Cantina – A local haunt that mixes mezcal, artisanal beer, food and art. Calle de Tinoco y Palacios 303, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
La Mezcalerita – A one stop shop that features not only a great selection of mezcal, but also delicious, and local, craft beer and pulque. Also, Mexican wine! Macedonio Alcalá 706, Centro.
La Mezcaloteca – A fantastic little spot that specializes in bringing little known palenqueros to light. They’re bi-lingual and are happy to walk you through the entire process of mezcal. Note that they are appointment only so definitely call ahead. Reforma No. 506, Col. Centro 68000 Oaxaca, Mexico +52 951 514 0082
La Pulquísima Comilona Mezcaleria – The latest incarnation from the Puro Burro team of Asis Cortes and Eric Giardina. This spot features pulque, tepache, cocktails, bites and of course mezcal. 5 de mayo 411, Oaxaca Centro.
Los Amantes – A tiny bar in a tiny room. You’ll frequently find a guitarist in the corner and sundry other mezcal obsessives. Ignacio Allende 107, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, OAX, Mexico
Los Danzantes – Los Danzantes is the full vertical operation: Smashingly designed high class restaurant, mezcal brand and a mezcal bar all wrapped into one. Calle Macedonio Alcalá 403, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, Mexico +52 951 501 1187
Mezcaleria Cuish – A slip of a bar outside of the tourist zone and all the better for it because real people might actually stop by for a tipple. Plus it’s always more entertaining watching traffic crawl by and you’ll have more time to chat up the bartenders. Cuish sources tiny batches from a variety of mezcaleros so their selection is frequently changing. If you like something, buy it, the bottles may be gone on that next visit. Díaz Ordaz 712 Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, OAX, Mexico. They also have an expendio (store) on Macedonio Alcalá 802, Centro.
Mezcal Speakeasy – Located behind Aloha, Oaxaca’s only Tiki Bar, is this understated mezcaleria that features not only mezcal, but sotol as well. Open M-Sat, 4pm – 11pm. Reservations can be made by calling 9514308357 or through their IG page. Porfirio Diaz 310, Centro
Mezcalogia – One of the new wave of mezcalerias which have swept Oaxaca in recent years. This one is owned by the Casa Cortes family which owns El Jolgorio and Nuestra Soledad so you’ll find that brand well represented. You’ll also find a fascinating selection of mezcals sourced from across the country and a vigorous cocktail program. García Vigil # 509, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro
Mezcalillera – A mezcal store masquerading as a mezcal tasting room – or something like that. They have a large selection of mezcals, many not available in the United States, and they pour tastings of much of what they sell in addition to offering introductory and more advanced tastings. Murguía 403 A, Centro, Oaxaca City +52 951 514 1757
Mis Mezcales – Great little store and tasting room with a selection of Mexican spirits, wine and more. Reforma 528, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
Mezontle – Created by Carlos Moreno, the founder of Mezcal Koch, this is an informal space that showcases smaller production mezcals from several of the producers he works with. Reforma 405, Centro, Oaxaca.
La Querencia Mezcaleria – Tiny little space with a great selection of mezcal and beer and very much a fun vibe. Calle de Manuel García Vigil 603, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax. Open 6 pm.
Quiote Mezcaleria – A new spot that just opened in the neighborhood of Xochimilco. It features a selection of mezcales sourced by the owners. C. José López Alavez 1423, Barrio de Xochimilco, 68040 Oaxaca de Juárez. Tuesday-Sunday, 3pm-10pm.
Recia – A private tasting experience curated by Ana Jacinto Blanco and Alberto Graef. Part tasting, part conversation in a living room environment that is low key and deeply informative. Reservation only.
Sabina Sabe – No only do they have a great selection of mezcal, but they also make delicious cocktails and serve up some great food. 5 de Mayo 209, Centro.
Selva Oaxaca Cocktail Bar – From the Los Danzantes team and upstairs in the same building, this is a gorgeous bar that invokes a bygone art deco era in a very Mexican way. High end cocktails plus a focused mezcal selection make this a great place to hang out. Calle Macedonio Alcalá #403, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca
Taller Omar Hernandez – Omar is a ceramicist famous in the mezcal world for hand made copitas which are surfaced with casts from agave leaves. He sells those along with many mezcal inspired ceramics at his taller on the main drag in Oaxaca. Hidden in back there’s a mezcaleria open at rather random hours. Stop in for the ceramics, see if you can taste some mezcal. Read our write up on his spot for more info. Alcalá 303, Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico
Txalaparta Bar – This is a great bar with lots of mezcal, beer, music and more.. Mariano Matamoros 206 Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, OAX, Mexico
Zandunga – Technically a restaurant but a restaurant with a full bar and a large selection of mezcal. Across the street from Mezcalogia, Manuel García Vigil # 512-E, Centro.