The 7 Best Mezcal Bars in the U.S., According to the Experts

There’s no question that agave spirits are hot right now. With the meteoric rise of mezcal among American drinkers, the number of high-quality restaurants and bars that showcase traditionally produced Mexican spirits has similarly grown.

So what makes a great mezcal bar? There’s a lot more to it than just having the biggest list of agave spirits or killer cocktails.

Mezcal, and other traditional spirits of Mexico like sotol, bacanora, and raicilla, have a long and rich history. They’re all distilled from plants that take years to mature. The best mezcals are made using methods passed down through many generations of expert mezcaleros.

“It's incredibly important for bars to respect the heritage that is traditional mezcal,” says Max Reis, beverage director at Mírate in Los Angeles. “Here in the States, we are the number-one consumers of agave spirits in the world. Which means we create the demand for the market.” 

Education is crucial to run a thoughtful and responsible mezcal program. 

“The team members must be educated that mezcal is not just an alcoholic beverage, it also has been representing Indigenous communities for many centuries,” says Ivan Vasquez, owner of Oaxacan restaurant and mezcal bar, Madre!. “[Mezcal] has survived prohibitions, isolation, discrimination, punishment, and lack of recognition by society.”

With the explosion of agave-focused bars, not all approach the spirit with such reverence.  

“Of course, in an ideal world, all establishments would have [thoughtful] characteristics, but that's just not the case,” says Chris Simmons, global brand ambassador for Mezcal Vago. “My hope is that advocacy, and those passionate about supporting legitimate producers, will encourage as many establishments as possible to do the right thing and honor mezcal's important history. This can be done through education and awareness.”

A handful of mezcal industry experts, from bartenders and restauranteurs to brand ambassadors and drinks writers, recommended their favorite mezcal-focused bar programs that emphasize authenticity, education, and ethics.

Mírate — Los Angeles

Since opening in 2022, Mírate has quickly ascended to the top of the mezcal world. The bar program, led by Max Reis, combines creative and delicious cocktails with an amazing selection of Mexican spirits that include gins and its own single-barrel Mexican rums. The bar often hosts mezcaleros to conduct educational tasting events where bartenders and enthusiasts can learn directly from the experts who craft the spirits.

“Max Reis is a luminary in the beverage world, with a major focus and dedicated passion for ethical agave,” says Alicia Perry, beverage director at Quixote, an Oaxacan-inspired concept and mezcalería inside The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego. “He is known to procure and develop an impressive and influential mezcal collection and program.” 

Mírate was recently recognized as one of the 50 best bars in North America. Most importantly, Mirate is a testament that it’s possible to run a fun, innovative bar program and still have a deep reverence for traditionally produced spirits and the artisans that craft them.

Bar Clavel — Baltimore

If education and transparency are key to an excellent mezcal program, then Bar Clavel is among the best. 

“Never have I had so many people tell me that Bar Clavel’s mezcal guest education is rivaled by none, my bar included,” says Reis. “Wearing ethics on their sleeve, Clavel is leading the mezcal movement in an area where it is the first of its kind.”

“Lane Harlan is a passionate and knowledgeable owner,” says Red Parker, managing member with El Buho Mezcal. “She educates her staff continuously, both in the bar and on trips to Oaxaca or other agave-focused events. The people behind service are all well trained in both agave and spirits of Mexico. The agave selection, including non-agave like sotol, has thoughtful intention behind every bottle and normally comes with a personal story.”

Clavel's commitment to education extends to transparency with every bottle. The staff is well-versed in production techniques, flavor profiles, product consistency, producer integrity, and most every detail behind each bottle they serve.

“Understanding the dedication and passion needed to keep this level of service ongoing makes it super impressive to me,” says Parker. “It’s almost as impressive as the original feat of opening up a successful mezcalería in Baltimore in 2015.”  

Las Almas Rotas — Dallas

Las Almas Rotas is a laid-back restaurant and bar that quietly boasts a stellar menu of Mexican spirits and a top-tier educational program.

“The spirits selection at Las Almas Rotas is so intentional, highlighting traditional producers making ancestral and artisanal mezcals,” says Kevin Gray, a Dallas-based food, beverage, and travel writer. “There’s also a solid lineup of raicilla, bacanora, sotol, and uncertified Mexican spirits that don’t fall under an easy-to-categorize umbrella.”

The bar is a training ground and knowledge center for the industry. Mezcaleros are regularly hosted to share their knowledge with local bartenders and enthusiasts. 

“The bartenders can pour esoteric flights and talk agave varietals all day, but they’re just as happy to sling Margaritas, beers, and tacos. So the vibe is always fun and never pretentious,” says Gray.

“[I respect them] for championing traditional mezcal and taking the risk in the industry to go heavy on mezcal and not doubting it,” says Vasquez.

Madre! — Los Angeles

Los Angeles loves agave-based spirits. Few in L.A.’s food and dining landscape have contributed more to the local agave scene than Ivan Vasquez and Madre!, his group of Oaxacan restaurants that boast outstanding mezcal programs. “They’re Oaxacan-owned and full of authentic cultural pride,” says Reis. 

“Ivan Vasquez has amassed one of the largest and some of the most exciting mezcals I've ever tasted. He is one of the most influential voices in the mezcal community,” says Jesus Muñoz, supervisor and agave expert at Jaguar Moon, an upcoming tequila and mezcal cocktail bar in nearby Ventura, California.

Vasquez recently hosted Mezcal Por Siempre in Los Angeles, a first-of-its-kind mezcal festival that showcased many mezcaleros and mezcaleras from Mexico that have been unable to import their spirits to the U.S.

Ni Tuyo — Denver

Denver may not come to mind when thinking of great agave bars, but Ni Tuyo is working hard to change that reputation. 

“I love this authentic Mexican restaurant run by owner Nathan Ayala-Schmidt,” says Simmons. “This little oasis in the mountains is a testament to heartfelt hospitality, with a carefully curated list of agave spirits that reads like a Who's Who of the agave world.”

The team at Ni Tuyo excels with its hospitality. On top of an impressive list of mezcal, sotol, and bacanora, there’s a focus to expand knowledge in the community. Efforts include a tasting club and ample opportunities for next-level experiences. 

The Cabinet — New York City

A list of the best mezcal bars in the U.S. needs to include The Cabinet. Founded by bar luminary Greg Boehm, this small Manhattan bar boasts arguably the country’s largest and most thoughtfully curated collection of agave distillates.

“I love The Cabinet for its encyclopedic back bar. With one of the larger agave-centric lists I've seen, their back bar is only outdone by the passion and knowledge of the staff,” says Simmons. 

The Cabinet is a must-visit for those adventurous and inquisitive toward mezcal. “Never have I seen so many agave spirits I'm unfamiliar with,” says Reis. “Noah Arenstein, who curates the program with Greg, is an amazing guide through their extensive collection.”

Odin — Oakland, CA

Representing California’s Bay Area is Odin, a hip mezcalería and restaurant. Led by mezcal expert Hugo González, its agave-forward bar program features sotol and mezcal-based cocktails along with exclusive mezcal selections from Maestros del Mezcal.

“It’s an amazing little mezcalería tucked away in the heart of Oakland. Their private-batch well program is always a hit for me, and the back bar boasts niche and ethically sourced spirits,” says Reis.

Odin also runs a mezcal club, Agaves Raros. It provides enthusiasts with discounts and complimentary tastings. It also allows them to obtain rare bottles of agave spirits, all great opportunities for the growing Bay Area mezcal scene.