Tlecan

Tlecan — Náhuatl for "place of fire" — ranked No. 23 in The World's 50 Best Bars 2025 and No. 5 in North America 2026, the only mezcalería on the continent to crack the global list. Co-owner and head bartender Eli Martínez Bello runs a standing-bar-only operation focused entirely on artisanal mezcal, with cocktails that incorporate pre-Hispanic ingredients like huitlacoche (corn truffle), cacao, and hoja santa alongside flavors from Mexican kitchens you grew up with. Expect copal smoke, dim lighting, and a carved stone Disc of the Death greeting you at the door.

The space is small, the ceiling low, and there are almost no seats — this is a standing bar where you'll jostle for elbow room while bartenders pull off tableside theatrics with fire, smoke, and ritual. Cocktails average around $10 USD and pack serious flavor, though some lean heavily into heat and intensity. No reservations, doors open daily 6pm–2am, and lines form on weekends. If you're into world-class mezcal in a deeply atmospheric setting, it's worth the wait.