In addition to a growing list of wineries in the area along with local tasting rooms, there are some fun spots to go for cocktails along with mezcal and tequila tastings. My top recommendations include:
Located in the Hotel Real de Minas, at Sterling Dickinson and Ancha San Antonio, is the recently opened Cervecería Allende Tap Room of the locally based brewery Cerverceria Allende. You can sit inside or on their outside patio and try their beer and order off the casual food menu. You can do a number of tasting flights. I enjoyed the Allende Brown Ale and Allende Golden Ale, but my favorite was the Allende Agave Lager, which I have tried in the past.
Another spot to enjoy a selection of beers is Casa Hércules at Correo 8 just east of the Jardin at the corner of Sollano. This is a branch of the large Cervecería Hércules in Queretaro that I have visited in the past. They have a large menu of beers to taste from ales, lagers, IPAs and pilsners along with tamales and other snacks. I enjoyed trying the rye lager and the Czech Pilsner on a hot afternoon.
Berlin Bar & Bistro at Umaran #19 is a small bar and restaurant that is popular with the gringos in town. They often feature art exhibitions by local artists. You can go early and enjoy drink specials. I went on a recent visit and enjoyed eating some great fish tacos at the bar with a group of local friends.
On the first floor of the restaurant of Sollano 18 in their former private dining room space is Bar Atzintli. Opened in early 2024 by Casa Agave. With eight cocktails designed by Ricardo Sandoval, it features tequilas, mezcals and heritage agave spirits from the Mexican state of Guanajuato. You can just taste the spirits as well. After meeting the owners at an event and trying their mezcal, I wanted to go and check it out. It has a beautiful design. I tried the Guachichile made with Atzin mezcal, Chartreuse, strawberry and pineapple juice, herbs and ginger and was very impressed.
La Parada opened a mezcal bar in April, 2018, two doors north, called San Mezcal. Now under separate management, they feature an extensive menu of mezcals from many Mexican states along with wine, cocktails and a food menu offered by a new chef. It is a fun, small, contemporary space that is well-worth the visit. My favorite cocktail is the old fashioned with a smoky mezcal!
Another new find is the tasting room of the ICAVI Cultural Institute of Agave and Wine at Recreo 10A. They feature tastings of wine, tequila and mezcal and educational workshops. You can also buy the products onsite.
Also in San Miguel is the recently opened tasting room for Octagono Winery at Tenerías #2. Started by Marcelo Castro Vera, they make natural wine in clay vessels at the winery in San Felipe. They produce a white, orange, two reds and rosé. You can also taste a number of mezcals from their Penca and Piedra distillery and beer from their Serrana brewery.
Doce 18 Concept House. The former Casa Cohen at Calle Relox 18 now houses high-end boutiques featuring jewelry, designer clothing and home accessories. There are galleries, a Cumpanio bakery a tasting room for Casa Dragones tequila and a new restaurant Casa Arca. Upstairs, L’Otel, one of the top boutique hotels in town, has a number of boutique hotel rooms and a bar/lounge for its guests. It is a wonderful addition to San Miguel.
At the Rosewood Hotel in San Miguel there is a very attractive bar, 1826 Tequila Bar, with comfortable seating, plus a large menu of tequila, mezcal and small plates. I went for the first time in several years and enjoyed the live music.
Make sure to visit their Luna Rooftop, the rooftop tapas bar which has amazing views of Centro and the Parroquia. This is the place to watch the sunset over the city. I enjoy going with friends and family.
A fun, casual spot is El Manantial at Barranca 78. El Manantial was founded in 1920 as a men’s bar or cantina. The restaurant has great ceviches, tostados and fish tacos. This is now high on my list of small casual spaces in town. The decor is traditional with a contemporary flair. There are amazing new black and white murals that were completed in the last few years. I would call or stop by for a reservation.
La 21 Unica Cantina: At Jesus #23, this is an updated, chic version of an old Mexican Cantina. It has a great atmosphere. You can order tapas from their menu or order from their Pescau restaurant menu which is next door. You then have the best of both worlds.
Our last stop on the San Miguel Food Tour’s Taco and Tequila Tour that I took with my family a few years ago was the Cantina el Cucu, Insurgentes #39, which has been a popular San Miguel casual bar since 1953. The tequila we tried there was very good.
We also tried Don Taco Tequila at Hernandez Macias #83. This is fun spot with a contemporary design. I really enjoyed trying my first sotol, a cousin of tequila and mezcal.
Open now for a few years La Mezcalería is known for its mezcal, tapas, cocktails and wines. I have been several times at their location at Correo #47. They recently merged with Venecia Mezcal – Cocina-Vino and moved into their space at Zacateros 81b. They featured a a menu of authentic Oaxacan-themed small plates along with Mexican local wines and artisanal Mezcal. Today the menu features Oaxacan specialties, wine and cocktails. Mezcal tasting are available in their downstairs tasting room. I enjoyed a private mezcal tasting with a group.
For an unforgettable experience make sure to visit the Casa Dragones Tasting Room at Recreo 16. Here you can book a tequila tasting of one of their locally produced tequilas or take a class in mixology. They are located in a recently renovated and redesigned house from 1671 that was a former stables used in the Mexican Revolution.
They also have a small six-seat destination for sipping tequila located in the historic Dôce 18 Concept House at Relox 18. You can also reserve a dinner and tequila tasting at Bovine Brasserie. La Mesa Dragones is their beautiful private dining room in the back.
For residents of San Miguel and those who spend a good amount of time there during the year, I suggest that you buy the VIP Club Card. For a reasonable annual fee, VIP club members receive a 10% to 15% discount on over 1oo restaurants and other services which can easily pay for the annual fee. Some require cash payments and others will accept the discount for both cash and credit card payments. I just renewed mine for my second year and found it to be a very good deal. You can buy the card at La Conexion at Aldama #3 or at several other locations in town.