If speakeasies are your thing, a trip to Handshake is basically a requirement when you’re in Mexico City. But even if you’re not, this is a bar you should go to at least once. Sure, it’s a bit fussy—every drink comes with a backstory, and maybe a garnish that’s momentarily on fire—but the cocktail menu is by far one of the most inventive in the city. The space is small and the seating is a bit cramped, so skip coming here with a group of more than three people.

In another city, the idea behind Bar Las Brujas could feel overly kitschy. But in CDMX, it’s pitch perfect. Their all-female staff is lovingly referred to as a coven, cocktails are inspired by feminist writers and activists, and their dedication to Mexican herbalism goes beyond decorating your drink with a single sage leaf. The space feels a bit like a refined hotel bar—it’s dimly lit and cozy, and can get a bit loud.

In the party mood? Head to this Juárez cantina from the chef behind Merotoro, especially on Saturdays after 8pm, when things heat up with a DJ. It’s got a cool NYC dive bar vibe, with a pool table and jukebox stocked with hits from Nirvana to Rihanna. Sip on a Modelo and eat tacos de birria tijuanense, a bacon-wrapped hot dog, or anything else from the Sonoran-inspired menu to soak up that one last drink.

Loup was one of the first natural wine bars to open in Mexico City, and it’s still one of the best for unexpected, funky wines—their list is well-curated, with small-batch bottles from all over Europe. The food menu is small, but you can definitely have a full meal here: the juicy wagyu flank steak with perfectly creamy mashed potatoes is the standout entree. If you’re only sort of in a wine mood, ask for a vermouth spritz with a splash of pet nat.

If you’re having dinner at Em, your next move should be a martini upstairs at 686 Bar. Waiters wear crisp white jackets, and there’s a bit of a 1950s energy to the very dark, moody, incense-heavy space. And while it doesn’t attempt to be a proper restaurant, they do make an extraordinary burger, which might be a good idea for a second dinner after you’ve had two or three of those martinis. Reservations are definitely recommended, so make one of those in advance.

Ladina Bar feels like a step-up from your standard dive—it’s dark, with a relaxed and easy vibe, but the floors aren’t sticky and there aren’t any wobbly bar stools on their last legs. You’ll find a small beer and wine list, but you’re really here for the cocktails: they make a great Manhattan and an even better Naked and Famous. It’s open until 2am, so order one of each, wave to the person dancing to “Born In The USA” at the other end of the bar, and see where the night takes you.

Hiya falls in line with the Japanese bar trend that’s taken over Mexico City, and we’re here for it. It’s not a speakeasy, but still tricky to find—walk past the well-known sushi spot (Yoru) until you see the expats and people who look like they moonlight as creative directors out front. A sake party awaits. They’ve got the essentials: sake by the carafe or bottle, wines, and a solid cocktail lineup. The Kikumasamune sake carafe is a steal at $11 and perfect for sharing with someone you like.

Quaint and cute is the best way to describe Baltra, which feels like a neighborhood institution even though it’s only been open for about a decade. Cocktails are the move here (our favorite is the Old George Sour with tequila, absinthe, cucumber, and cardamom), but they also have some great wines by the glass and a few craft beers. This Condesa spot only has a few tables and barstools, making it better for a date than big groups.

If you’re looking for mezcal cocktails, or drinks made with less common agave spirits like lechuguilla or bacanora, Tlecan is your spot. All of the drinks are made with Mexican ingredients like chile or hoja santa, and they have a great, albeit small, food menu, too. We like the tuna tostadas and their take on burrata, which is actually made of queso oaxaca and requesón. It’s (mostly) standing-room only with just a few stools.

Shhh is a listening bar brought to life by the owners of the legendary 99 Records store, and it’s all about high-fidelity tunes coming through a beautiful Manley and Altec sound system. When you step into the cozy, dimly lit room with just 12 tables, sleek booths, and wooden panels that give a recording-studio-like vibe, they’ll ask you to keep it down to let the music take center stage. The energy makes this place perfect for a low-key date night over well-made drinks.

Identify as an artist or bohemian? Niv is your place. It’s a wine bar packed with local artists, tourists, and a high ratio of people to Vans sneakers. The spacious, mostly outdoor setup is perfect for kicking back with a glass of wine and people-watching before dinner. Francis Cabrel tunes make this place chill, and the pretty minimalist decor is just begging you to take a selfie with the crew you’re showing friends around the city.

Ticuchi is one of the most dramatically lit bars in Mexico City, but not in the it’s-actually-pitch-black-in-here speakeasy kind of way. Instead of tiny votives, the primary light source is a huge skylight that shines down on a bunch of potted plants. They have some excellent artisanal mezcals on the drink menu, but our favorite cocktail is actually the tequila-based Silver Rush with fermented honey, lemon, and bee pollen.

If you attempt to make weekend plans with anyone from Mexico City, Caiman will most certainly be included in the conversation. This is your typical one-size-fits-all bar that’s great for any type of occasion. It’s also one of the few “real bars'' (as in: not a restaurant bar) in Condesa, which is great if you’re just looking to have a few drinks without committing to food. Expect a mix of effortlessly well-dressed locals and tourists with everything from ice-cold coronitas to negronis.

Sometimes, a dirty martini just tastes better at a hotel bar, and Fifty Mills at The Four Seasons proves that hypothesis. Even though it's inside one of the nicest hotels in town, it’s not uptight—the staff is friendly whether or not you have a room key, and no one will make a fuss if you show up in sneakers. This is still $18-cocktail territory, but it’s less pricey than what you’ll find at most hotel bars.

Three words that sum up this Roma Norte spot: fun, lively, vermouth. The inside of this vermutería is cramped and cozy, but the star of this place is the sidewalk scene—drinkers sit at tables that line the wall, which includes a gigantic “amor” sign hand-painted by the Mexican artist It’s A Living. Adding to the reason why crowds fill up this place: a selection of over 20 kinds of vermouth, plus obscure natural wines like Jérôme Lambert’s, cheap beers, and $5 mezcal shots.

Most production and research kitchens shut down at night, but the owners of this Condesa spot are flipping the script and turning downtime into a full-blown wine bar—and it’s genius. Being here feels like you’re in someone’s intimate kitchen, making you feel like an insider from the moment you walk in for a date night. But you’ll be at ease once you peruse the menu of hard-to-find orange wines like Josko Gravner’s and modern small plates like gnocchetti with pesto. Space is limited, though.

Another is a laid-back coffee shop and restaurant where good-looking digital nomads flock to by day. At night, the tiny Condesa spot with amazing views of tree-lined Alfonso Reyes street transforms into a scene-y bar for sipping and eating small plates like homemade crab rolls and deceptively simple pan tomate for hours. There’s cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic cucumber and yuzu sodas, but when we’re here, it’s classic negronis and martinis all the way.

Yes, another listening bar, and one to see and be seen. La Vista’s sleek, stylish space with leather chairs draws in the cool crowd who are here for the DJs who curate a glam, see-and-be-seen mood on most nights. While there’s no full-on dance floor, once the tables fill up around 11pm and it becomes standing room only, the center of the bar gets overtaken by partygoers swaying to whatever is playing that night (oftentimes salsa mixed with ’90s hits).

Ololo is a sleek bar where James Bond wouldn’t be out of place, meaning it’s perfect when you’re in a refined party mood. It’s technically a speakeasy, but don’t expect quiet, low-key vibes. Around 9 or 10pm, when the DJ sets up in front of the massive window overlooking the taco joint below, the music and energy pick up. Since this place is packed, especially on weekends, you’ll want to have a reservation to secure a velvet booth or any of their orange tables.

During the day, Jardín Paraíso is a casual place to grab a beer under a shady palm tree. But at night, it turns into a nightclub with live DJs and at least one person who will try to dance on your table. It gets crowded between 10 and 11pm, so arrive early for your best chance at getting in. If you and your group are planning to come later in the evening, make sure you have a reservation or are extra nice to the doorman.