Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City’s Fifty Mills. Credit: Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
Once the place for solo travelers to nurse away jetlag with a whiskey on the rocks, hotel bars have become trendy spots that lure locals as well as international visitors. Mexico City’s scene boasts an eclectic mix of watering holes from the ultra-modern to the chic and sophisticated.
Here are a few of our favorites for you to check out when visiting Mexico’s capital.
Fifty Mills
Great for a balmy Mexican evening, this hip destination is tucked away in the pretty colonial-style courtyard of Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City.
Lovers of creative cocktails or those looking to try a little local flavor can choose from a menu of libations made with everything from hoja santa (a peppery licorice-flavored herb) bitters and flying ant dust in the aptly named Ant Man to the serrano pepper and xoconostle (prickly pear) found in the Cor Cocktail.
The mixologists have a trophy cabinet of global and Mexican awards for their use of interesting ingredients and artisan techniques.
On cooler nights, cozy up by the fire pit under the neon sign declaring the place as “our little secret.”
The View from Downtown Bar. Credit: Downtown Bar
Downtown Bar
To enjoy a tipple with the trendiest types in town, head to the rooftop lounge at the boutique Downtown hotel. Set right in the heart of the city, the bar offers magnificent views over some of the capital’s most historic buildings.
A Habita-brand hotel known for its contemporary design, Downtown is crowned with an urban swimming pool that blends seamlessly into the landscape. Accessorize your outfit with an Aperol spritz to stand out among the yellow and green lounge chairs as you listen to the latest Mexican and international beats.
King Cole Bar. Credit: Edgardo Contreras
King Cole Bar
A sophisticated classic, this New York-inspired bar found within Four-Star The St. Regis Mexico City has a cocktail menu curated by renowned mixologist David Rios and a chic new look courtesy of a refresh completed in 2017.
Sit outside and admire the view over tree-lined Paseo de la Reforma while sipping a signature Sangrita Maria — a local take on the famed St. Regis Bloody Mary containing mezcal and chile pasilla — or take a seat inside on one of the comfortable sofas and enjoy a few sips under low, romantic lighting.
Living Room Bar. Credit: W Mexico City
Living Room Bar
A colorful and lively option for a late-night libation, this lobby lounge at W Mexico City is a great choice for those who enjoy their drinks accompanied by vibrant DJ beats.
A recent renovation by New York design firm Nemaworkshop follows a playful masquerade theme, from mask-inspired chairs to semi-private seating areas separated by slatted fluorescent screens and comfortable sofas perched atop geometric carpets.
With drinks such as the vodka- and berry-infused Sugar Cotton, the creative menu is as inventive and spirited as the décor.
Balcón del Zócalo
With one of the best views over Mexico’s main square, this bar/restaurant perched atop Zócalo Central Hotel is a great place for a sundowner and a tasty snack.
Nab reservations just before 6 p.m. to watch the daily flag-lowering ceremony, when a military band marches toward the giant Mexican banner — purportedly the largest in the country — in the square before removing it for the evening.
Nights overlooking Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace call for margaritas and guacamole freshly prepared tableside and topped with fried grasshoppers, if you dare.
