The 16 Best Tequila and Mezcal Bars in NYC Right Now
New York City has many really good tequila bars and mezcal bars to offer. In which bars you get real Mexican vacation feeling, I tell you here!
Included are rather small and inconspicuous Mexican bars to hip rooftop bars where you can drink high-class and especially authentic tequila and mezcals. Of course, my favorite bars, where I drank wonderful margaritas, are not missing.
These Are The Best Tequila And Mezcal Bars in NYC
In these bars and restaurants you can get really good mezcals and tequilas. Cheers to you!
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01
Mayamezcal
Bar in East VillageOur Highlight
The number one spot on this list of best tequila and mezcal bars in NYC definitely goes to the initially unassuming Mayamezcal. This Mexican cocktail bar is famous for having the highest quality ingredients in everything from handmade syrups to freshly squeezed juices. The ‘Bunny Be Good’ is one of their most interesting on the rocks cocktails made with tequila, homemade carrot liquor, lemon juice, and club soda. The cocktail is made entirely from the finest ingredients, including soda from bottles instead of a tap, making the drink exceptionally refreshing.
Aside from serving quality crafted cocktails, Mayamezcal also serves unique and creative dishes that highlight Mexican cuisine. The most popular, must-try dish is the carne asada, a grilled angus skirt steak with an assortment of roasted peppers, onions, and steakhouse fries.
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02
Oxomoco
Mexican Restaurant in GreenpointOur Highlight
Oxomoco is a Michelin-1-star restaurant in NYC that serves some of the city’s best mezcal and tequila cocktails. Each drink has entirely unique ingredients such as the ‘que te pasa, calabaza’, which has mezcal, pumpkin, and apple brandy.
The dishes are also inspired by traditional Mexican ingredients, such as the beef tartare tostada with grasshopper mayo, avocado, arbol peanuts, and quelites. Oxomoco is one of the most interesting and classy restaurants in the city, so whether you make a reservation for brunch, dinner, or drinks, you won’t regret it.
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03
Pulqueria Restaurant & Agave Bar
Mexican Restaurant in Chinatown
The Pulqueria Restaurant & Agave Bar is an authentic Mexican Restaurant that serves food and drinks inspired by Mexico City street food and Ancient Aztec culture. They are famous for their ‘margarita clasica’, which features the high-quality tequila Puerta Negra Joven with a smooth finish and minimal burn. The ‘margarita de pina’ is another crowd favorite that is slightly fruity with a spicy kick from the habanero bitters.
The barbacoa tacos are a popular choice if you are going for dinner since they braise their brisket in Mezcal Guajillo for additional flavor. The barbacoa tacos are also served on fresh, homemade corn tortillas that taste amazing. Don’t forget about dessert! Make sure to try the churros con chocolate for the best light, crispy, cinnamon churros with a thick and decadent chocolate dipping sauce.
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04
Cantina Rooftop
Rooftop Bar in Hell's Kitchen
In the Cantina Rooftop Bar you feel like in the Caribbean, surrounded by tropical plants you eat delicious guacamole and drink very well made cocktails with classical Mexican music. Besides tequila in every variation, there is a large selection of other delicious drinks: Try the Cantina Margarita.
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05
Mezcals Mexican Restaurant
Mexican Restaurant in Park Slope
After exploring Park Slope, we recommend checking out Mezcal’s Mexican Restaurant. The food is authentic, reasonably priced and ideal for lunch or dinner We recommend their burritos and if you like tequila, you can try more than 70 varieties. Of course, the classics like guac with chips and salsa and tacos are highly recommended as well. Mezcal’s provides outdoor seating right on 5th Avenue, so you can watch the hustle and bustle of Park Slope.
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06
Móle
Mexican Restaurant in West VillageOur Highlight
Looking for a large variety of tequilas to try? Móle is known for having over 125 different types of tequilas, all made with 100% blue agave. Although they serve many of the classics, the house special drinks include ‘El Diablo’ and ‘El Vampiro,’ two spicy cocktails with Don Reyes Tequila.
Móle is also, of course, famous for its móle, which is imported from Mexico. The móle is handmade by Doña Emelia for complete authenticity and then used to enhance the flavor of the dishes. The chicken ‘enchiladas de mole poblanos’ are absolutely amazing and the best item on the menu.
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07
Patrón
Mexican Restaurant in Hell's Kitchen
Patrón is the perfect place to go for dinner and cocktails in Hell’s Kitchen NYC. They even have an outdoor heated patio for those cold winters. Their specialty is to serve cocktails in Patrón bottles, such as their self-explanatory drink ‘Patrón in a bottle’ which has a frozen margarita with flavorings and a short and a half of Patron, and ‘Party over here’ which is a frozen margarita with mango, strawberry, and blue curacao.
The brunch at Patrón is also popular with their traditional huevos rancheros as one of their best sellers. The Huevos rancheros come with two crispy corn tortillas, two fried eggs, black beans, sour cream, queso fresco, tomatillo salsa, salsa guajillo, and a house salad.
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08
Casa Mezcal
Mexican Restaurant in Lower East Side
Casa Mezcal is – as the name suggests – a mezcal bar in New York, more precisely in the Lower East Side. Both from the outside and inside, Casa Mezcal shows the Mexican joie de vivre: everything is colorful and the bar is beautifully decorated. There is a huge selection of mezcals and the atmosphere is just great!
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09
Vida Verde
Mexican Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan
Vida Verde is one of the best Mexican-American fusion restaurants and tequila bars in NYC. Their large selection of cocktails makes it easy for everyone to find their favorite drinks. Try a ‘Burro Caliente’, a habanero infused tequila with pineapple, papaya, and lime juice for a fruity/spicy cocktail night.
You should also be on the lookout for specials on their website to score deals like $10 for 3 tacos on Taco Tuesdays or ½ price bottles on Wine Wednesdays. They even have some interesting fusion food items on their menu, like yucca fries or burritos with fried eggs wrapped inside.
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10
Añejo
Mexican Restaurant in Hell's KitchenOur Highlight
Añejo is a classy yet fun and casual Mexican restaurant with modern small plates and innovative cocktails. This restaurant was created by the Top Chef season 7 contestant, Angelo Sosa. So, it’s no surprise Añejo is a culinary work of art and is even Michelin recommended for the best Mezcal bars in NYC. You must try the unique ‘Traviesa Montelobos’ with Mezcal, fresh grapefruit, lime, Fresno infused agave, Aperol, and spicy salt when visiting.
Each small plate is a flavorful culinary experience, but their top dishes include the tender and smoky ‘octopus plate’ and the ‘Drunken Lamb Barbacoa.’ These plates are modern but include elements of Mexican food that bring your taste buds for a ride.
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11
Flats Fix Taqueria and Tequila Bar
Mexican Restaurant in Flatiron District
Flats Fix Taqueria and Tequila Bar was created to emulate a famous tire repair shop that would fix flat tires in under 5 minutes while the owner’s wife prepared amazing tacos for the customers. Needless to say, this restaurant serves specialty tacos with 7 different types of tequilas, including Herradura Silver and classic cocktails such as a ‘Palomas’ and a ‘mezcal mule.’
They also smoke all of their taco meats in their custom smokehouse. The taco meats may not be traditional to Mexican tacos, but they are all unique and delicious. Some of the most famous tacos include smoked pastrami tacos, crispy long island duck tacos, and seared wild-caught fish tacos.
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12
YUCO
Mexican Restaurant in Greenwich Village
YUCO is a white tablecloth restaurant located in the Village that brings diners a contemporary twist on Yucatan-inspired foods. They are famous for their cutting-edge cocktails that challenge the pallet and combine new flavors. Make sure to try their ‘Columbidae Cocktail’ with Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, ginger, grapefruit, and smoked chili. ‘The Five Ages of Corn’ is also incredibly unique with Abasolo Ancestral Corn Mexican Whisky, Nixta Licor de Elote, corn husk, corn ash, and baby corn.
These fabulous drinks definitely deserve to be paired with delicious food, and YUCO delivers! Their seafood is considered some of the best in the city, and dishes such as scallops with tomatillo sauce and the crispy octopus appetizers are must-get dishes.
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13
Empellón Al Pastor
Bar in East Village
Empellón Al Pastor is a bar in the East Village with margaritas, beers, and various cocktails. The drink menu consists mainly of different types of margaritas like a ‘mezcal,’ ‘spicy cucumber,’ or ‘blood’ margarita. They also serve a rotating menu of specials that typically involve innovative Asian-Mexican fusion dishes. These specials are announced every Thursday, and they change a week later. Some of these interesting bar snacks include steamed birria dumplings, shrimp toast torta, and chicken nuggets with Sichuan salsa. It is best to follow @empellonapastor on Instagram for more updates about the bar snacks menu and different cocktails.
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14
MEXiCUE
Mexican Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan
MEXiCUE uses big, bold flavors from different seasons to make creative drinks and food. The food and drink menus are inspired by Mexican traditions while incorporating Southern American cooking and influence.
One must-try example of this mix of cultures is the smoky margarita with tequila Blanco (sensational!!!), mezcal, mole bitters, simple chili syrup, lime juice, and chili lime salt. You can even get a DIY flight of alcohol with a sweet and caramel taste, a savory and umami taste, and many more to try different tequilas and mezcals. Make sure to get an order of grilled cornbread before you leave with their special chipotle butter for the best smoky, soft cornbread.
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15
Maya
Mexican Restaurant in Upper East Side
Chef Richard Sandoval uses flavors and techniques from his Mexican roots while also experimenting with modern tastes at his restaurant Maya located in the Upper East Side. The tequila flights are a fun way to taste multiple tequilas without committing to selecting a drink. This is especially a great option since each tequila is carefully curated and added to the collection.
Some of the more exciting tequilas to try include ‘Casa Dragones’ and ‘Riazul.’ 100% of their selection of tequilas, including the Blanc’s are made with 100% blue agave. These high-end tequilas are best served with elegant lobster tacos or the zarandeado salmon special.
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16
Taco Dumbo
Mexican Restaurant in Garment District
From Taco Dumbo, there are several Mexican restaurants in New York. Here you can find Mexican food inspired by California’s lifestyle, a great selection of tequila and mezcal and really good tacos!
What I really like in addition to that? The interior, which is a mix of relaxed Californian design and colorful Mexican influences.
What is the difference of tequila and mezcal?
First, let’s look at what they have in common: Tequila is a type of mezcal, so in effect, all tequila is mezcal. Both are made from agave, although tequila must be produced from 100% Weber blue agave (Agave Tequilana Weber). In the case of mezcal, other varieties may also be used.
A first difference refers to the growing areas: Tequila comes primarily from the Mexican state of Jalisco while Mezcal must come from the city of Oaxaca and the surrounding area.
The production of Tequila and Mezcal is also different: in the former, the agave hearts are mostly processed industrially, while in Mezcal, the agave hearts are traditionally cooked in earth pits (palenques) over hot stones for 3-5 days. This gives them their typical smoky flavor.
My Tip
Take part in a tequila tasting in NYC or get poured different varieties to try in one of the tequila or mezcal bars. You will notice huge differences between mezcal and tequila!
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