La Clandestina

One of the early mezcalerías to make mezcal culture accessible in Mexico City, La Clandestina focuses almost exclusively on Oaxacan mezcals with an emphasis on single-varietal expressions — cenizo is a house favorite. The space is small and often full, with candlelit tables and a DJ mixing everything from Depeche Mode to Maldita Vecindad on Monday nights.

The food skews Oaxacan: tlayudas topped with rib eye, melted cheese with grasshoppers (chapulines), and a salsa made with mole that regulars order on repeat. The mezcal selection is strong for beginners and collectors alike, available by the ounce. Cocktails lean sweet and inventive — the avocado-based drink gets ordered often.