Handshakes all around for Handshake! I was determined to get a reservation for this bar considering…read moreit's one of the best bars in North America that I even put a reminder on my phone when reservations were released. Honestly, I couldn't find the place at all. In fact I had to call my friend to see where it was. It's hidden inside a hotel and there's construction going around so it was definitely hard to find and walk through especially with heels on. Luckily we had a reservation because there were plenty of people waiting for seating! The man directed us downstairs to the actual speakeasy. What a super cool neat spot! It was quite dim, but we of course got the best seat in the house because of our party size. The music was top 40 which was an interesting touch considering the ambience of this place, but I wasn't complaining. Onto the drinks. I got the infamous - Peanut Butter & Jelly 100000/5 - I honestly think this is the drink that put them on the charts! The different flavors coming together within the drink and the little sandwich. The 'peanut butter & jelly' sandwich cookie was made from white chocolate and jam. I was honestly thoroughly impressed. I knew it was going to be good, but I didn't think it was going to be THIS good! Cookies n cream 5/5 - I'd still give this a 5/5 because it was also a great cocktail, but not as great as the peanut butter & jelly. I love that a lot of the bars have a little sweet treat to 'chase' the cocktail with. It definitely helps to add the uniqueness of the cocktails you're sipping on!

We stood in line for hours to finally get into Handshake Speakeasy because of all the hype…read moresurrounding it. Honestly, while it was nice to experience it once and see what everyone talks about, I personally felt it was overrated. I've definitely been to better speakeasies. The atmosphere was extremely loud, the service was average at best, and the drinks were just okay. Some of them looked interesting and creative, but overall they were very alcohol forward and not particularly balanced or memorable to me. Would I go again? Probably not. It was more of a one-and-done experience. That being said, if you're curious because of the reputation and rankings, it may still be worth trying once to experience it for yourself. For me personally, though, it just wasn't anything special compared to other cocktail bars I've visited.

Such a cool cocktail bar! The inside was warm and inviting but we got a table outside which was…read morealso nice with a lot of people watching. The servers were super friendly and brought out our drinks fast. I went with the avocado based cocktail and it was SO GOOD. I've never had anything like it and I'm glad it caught my eye on the menu 10/10 recommend.

This was a smaller mezcal bar that had been recommended to us time and time again so we decided to…read morestop in. We quickly found a table in the main bar area at a small high top so we lucked out with that! The vibe was sexy and very cool for a stop in the evening. I'm not a huge mezcal person and don't like spicy flavors so struggled to find something I loved but my boyfriend tried a mezcal flight and a spicy cocktail and he loved it all! The staff was also very friendly and happy to try to recommend a cocktail that would fit my preferences. For the vibe alone, this is worth a visit!

Loved this little cocktail bar! The drinks were very very unique and our server was so sweet,…read morefriendly, and knowledgeable. While it ran on the pricier side, it was absolutely worth it. Would return! Just keep in mind that it's small, so seating is very limited if it's busy.

Dark little cocktail bar, high on vibes and volume. Drinks are solid, but not amazing compared to…read moreother nearby cocktail places. Cool spot to start or end an evening, but I probably wouldn't want to stay too long given how loud and crowded it is.

Cool environment and had a majority of locals hanging around here. The drinks were more of the…read moreaperitif variety so while we didn't get food when we were here, I'd recommend picking something from the menu. Our waiter did seem a little surprised we didn't so maybe we ought to have . Second in my line of bars where I felt like the emphasis was less on a heavy hand but more on the light delicate notes that encourage you to sit and talk around a bit more with the homies.

Mezcal focused cocktail bar. Lighting is fairly dim but warm, lit mostly by candles except for the…read moreoutside seating which is exposed to the streetlights and traffic. Honestly the openness is welcome on this cool autumn day although the sounds of cars and people was sometimes a touch distracting. Music was fun but not particularly heavy, maybe more of a casual date than something velvety. Service was quite attentive and prompt although I did arrive quite early and there weren't very many people there. Not all the waitstaff are very fluent in English but they are happy to bring someone who is if you have questions. They are the sister bar/restaurant to La Clandestina which is literally right next door which also focusses on Mezcal. Honestly, I don't really know what the difference is between the two aside from the people who are literally mixing the drinks and serving you as the house mezcals are also under the La Clandestina name. Ordered their Habanero house cocktail which was a mix of their Espadin Joven Mezcal, orange liqueur, and a raspberry/bluebery/habanero syrup garnished with a dehydrated orange slice and rimmed with salt, chili, and maybe some more habanero. Note, the menu doesn't actually mention the syrup, I dragged that out of them since I was wondering why the cocktail was so pink and also tasted like it definitely had more than mezcal and orange liqueur in it. The end cocktail is a light and fruity affair but not particularly sweet or acidic and actually balanced out with the body and smoke of the mezcal. I normally despise salt rims, finding it overpowering on first sip and nonexistent on the next but theirs toned down the salt levels enough that each sip around the rim was actually quite pleasant. The habanero in the syrup maybe offers a smidge of vegetal notes and a little bit of spice if you're particularly sensitive to it but the rim itself was actually a delight, giving a light tingle to the lips with each sip. I wouldn't say the cocktail was particularly spicy but more tingly which I found myself actually preferring over other chili included cocktails I've had in the past. They do offer a variety of bottles of tequila and mezcal to sell and take home with you, notably the ones under the Clandestina name that are made just for the bar. Not all of these tequilas and mezcals are available to try directly but the bartenders will offer you a shot of the closest one that is available on the menu (mind you, trying a shot is just paying for an ounce/35 ml of the stuff but that's all on the menu). I decided to give that a shot before biting the bullet on a whole bottle of mezcal. The shot of mezcal comes in a glass wider than a traditional shot glass so you can actually sip the thing comfortably and they also give you a few orange slices with tajin to chase/nibble on. Apparently they offer a flight of mezcal which I'd honestly recommend, especially if you're here with some friends. Definitely recommend coming by for well executed cocktails but particularly for the chance to try Mezcal of varying regional origin, age, and abv.

Loved the special birthday note, the cocktails were also incredible. Definitely recommend for those…read morevisiting CDMX.

Mexico City has a reputation for having some of the world's best bars. Their location in Roma,…read moreMexico City, was ranked #52 in the world and in the top 10 in North America. While we didn't book the acclaimed Roma location, we sought out their sister location located closer to our hotel in Polanco. We were required to purchase an appetizer to go with our drinks (maybe it's a local requirement for bars?). Got a quesadilla, which had nice flavor from meat, chile morita, and cheese, but it was tiny. Drinks were liquor forward, but balanced. We were impressed to get clear flavors from each of the ingredients of the cocktail. Was it a vibe that I'd want to enjoy again? Probably not - I personally prefer restaurants with really strong entrees and cocktails to support the food than the other way around. Nevertheless, I'm glad that I was able to visit this world renowned bar close to where I was staying. Drinks were creative, flavors were clear and assertive, but balanced. If you are looking for interesting cocktails, this is a great option for you

Not easy to find, but a lot of fun when you do!…read more One of my favorites spots, among many, in the heart of Polanco.

Jules bar is advertised as a hidden speakeasy in Polanco that is located underneath a taqueria. The…read morebar is tourist friendly and cocktails are reasonably priced. Come early as there is usually a line before entering the bar. Atmosphere: to enter into the bar, you have to go downstairs through a refrigerator. In contrast to the bright colors of the taqueria upstairs, Jules was adorned with leathered walls, studded ceilings, and skeletons as table centerpieces. While trendy, it did come off as a little cheesy. Nonetheless, decor did reflect the vibe it was going for. There was limited seating, so if you have a large party would recommend going there early if you have a big party. Later in the night, there is a DJ who plays techno/dance music tends to draw in large crowds of people. Brings in a mixed crowd. Service: Service at the beginning of the night was good, although servers were less attentive as the night got later and more people were entering the bar. Cocktails: The bar offers a good variety of drinks and cocktails--which I can see why people would want to go back to Jules again. My group of friends and I tried about 8 different cocktails and the only one I enjoyed was the Low Key. The Low Key is comparable to a whiskey soul with mezcal garnished with tamarind candy. I did not care much for the other drinks, as some of them were overly sugary.

We loved the vibe of this cocktail bar! It does not actually say "Felina" on the outside of the…read morebar, so we didn't realize we were in the right spot until the host overheard us chatting about where the bar was located. It is a very chill vibe and the drinks are strong. It was fun to come here with my husband and enjoy a leisurely cocktail!

Perhaps the darkest bar I ever encountered, Felina would be perfect for a clandestine meeting. I…read morecouldn't see anyone's faces, and Felina was packed with people. The bartenders take mixology very seriously and work so hard, they have no time to engage. I'm a gabber and enjoy talking at a bar. That was impossible at Felina. However, if you're planning on having an affair, meeting someone you don't want anyone else to know about, having drinks with a group of ugly people you don't want to look at, Felina is the perfect spot.

I almost don't want to give away the location because finding it, even with the address known, is…read morepart of the fun. Just confidently walk into the storefront food shop with a large table and chairs and ten then you have a reservation! They were very friendly and waved us in off the sidewalk as we were a bit bewildered (and didn't have reservations; just hoping and praying). Once inside the dark, very busy space with a couple rooms, long bar and some booth seating, the friendly, English speaking, knowledgeable staff will explain the large cocktail menu (many which can be made without alcohol if that's your thing). There is a creative beverage for every palate and there is a section dedicated to collaborations with mixologists from all over the world. Will definitely return to sample several more of these unique drinks. And also the food, which were didn't try as we came after dinner.

Hanky Panky is a popular speakeasy located in Mexico City, known for consistently being on the list…read moreof North America's 50 Best Bars. It's considered the "OG speakeasy" of the city and focus on creative cocktails from around the world. We didn't realize that the storefront was a simple looking restaurant so we kept walking back and forth. The entrance to the bar was in the back leading us to a completely different space. We made reservations and it's pretty much required to have one to be seated. Depending on your table size you might also have to share a table with others but they also have bar counter space. Their main menu of 12 cocktails were all made by the bartenders there. Part of the menu also contained cocktails from other bars around the world. The end of the menu was rounded out with classic cocktails with a Hanky Panky twist. Our party of five ordered most of the 12 main cocktails and some of the others. My favorites were the il fresco (peachy and coffee-y), grand bazaar (most spirit forward drink they have), and hanky panky (fat-washed with cacao nibs and menthol from fernet branca). All of the drinks were great though. The hot dog was also delicious! When we left we walked out of a Modelo "fridge" which was unique. The space and the vibes really were the definition of "speakeasy" because it was such a cool space. The environment was so fun and we had such a good time here.

Great food, great room service! 24 hour open restaurant downstairs! It's kind of a drive to…read moreeverything but the free breakfast makes up for the Ubers.