The wild beauty of the Riviera Maya, the cutting edge drinks of Mexico City and the timeless elegance of San Miguel de Allende: discover the highlights of Mexico’s finest hospitality destinations.
Sips of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende
For the second year running, the North America’s 50 Best Bars ceremony lit up San Miguel de Allende, attracting industry professionals from around the world. With its vibrant houses and the towering Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel overlooking the main square, this enchanting town proudly holds a place on the Unesco World Heritage list.
Its cobblestone streets, climbing steeply up the hills, lead to extraordinary mixology venues. First on the list is Bekeb, a stunning rooftop bar at Casa Hoyos Hotel Boutique. Founded by mixologist Fabiola Padilla, who returned to her roots in 2019 after gaining experience in New York, Bekeb is a true testament to her expertise.
Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende
Then there’s Tunki by Handshake, perched on the terrace of the Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada. Managed by the award-winning speakeasy from Mexico City, this bar offers a perfect blend of contemporary cocktails and top-notch service. The cherry on the top? Sipping a sunset aperitif while the sun hides behind the cathedral’s spires, painting the sky in breathtaking hues.
Mexico City and its Avantguard Cocktails
Garibaldi cocktail, Handshake Speakeasy
For mixology enthusiasts, Mexico City is a treasure trove that never fails to impress. Leading the charge is Handshake Speakeasy, which, in just three years since its opening, has claimed the top of the North America’s 50 Best Bars list, thanks to the brilliance of Eric van Beek‘s beverage program and the dedication of partners Marcos Di Battista, Joseph Kuri, and Rodrigo Urraca.
Step through an unassuming black door to discover signature cocktails like the Piña Colada, made with brandy, coconut, pineapple, and cilantro. The true speakeasy experience, however, awaits in the basement of the NH Collection Mexico City Reforma Hotel, where guests can seat at the expansive bar and be guided through a minimalist drink journey that highlights the essence of each ingredient. Begin your exploration with Big in Japan, a blend of Japanese whisky, toasted barley, and citrus notes.
Other must-visit spots include Rayo, known for its vintage elevator and cocktail list offering small, tantalizing samples of innovative concoctions; Café de Nadie, where the bar and DJ console become one; and Limantour, a trailblazer in the city’s avant-garde mixology scene.
For local flavors and an exceptional mezcal selection, Tlecān is a goto spot, curated by Eli Martinez, former beverage director at the famed Pujol restaurant, who has meticulously sourced the finest agave distillates. Casa Prunes, set within a stunningly restored mansion, boasts spacious rooms on the ground floor and private tasting areas upstairs, including a cigar room and a hidden speakeasy. Completing Mexico City’s mixology map are Brujas, an allfemale venture, and Hanky Panky, a speakeasy concealed behind the door of a taqueria.
Riviera Maya, in the Wildest Nature
Along the sun-drenched Caribbean coastline of Mexico, between Cancún and Tulum, there are two extraordinary venues surrounded by the lush beauty of the Yucatán. First up is Arca, a culinary oasis conceived by chef Jose Luis Hinostroza.
This open-air gem features two bar counters and a live-fire kitchen, where microseasonal ingredients sourced from around Tulum are transformed into exquisite, shareable dishes. Complementing the gastronomic delights are innovative cocktails like El Solar, a vibrant mix of mezcal, hibiscus, chipotle, and lime juice, crafted by Peter Sanchez‘s talented team.
Moving over to Cancún, the discreet luxury of the Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa enchants every guest, where the shimmering blue of the sea merges with the emerald green of lush gardens.
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