El Palenquito

El Palenquito brings mezcal straight from rural Oaxacan palenques (distilleries) to a small Roma Norte storefront. The bar is an extension of Mezcales Milagrito, focused on defending and sharing traditional mezcal culture through an extensive selection and craft cocktails that put the spirit front and center.

The cocktail menu includes standouts like the Horchata Santa (espadin joven mezcal, house horchata, hoja santa, and cacao), the Pepino (cucumber and hoja santa), and the Aguacate. The guacamole with chapulines (grasshoppers) is the best food order. Small space with good music and knowledgeable service — reserve ahead Thursday through Saturday when it stays open until 2am.