Mezcal Route in San Miguel de Allende

By Myrna Camacho

Four mezcalerías, four experiences, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende offers many ways to enjoy it, and one of our favorites is discovering its flavors through mezcal.

This time, we decided to head out and explore four mezcalerías that, although they share the same passion for this Mexican spirit, have completely different personalities.

Between tastings, stories, cocktails, gastronomy, and conversations with the people behind each place, we discovered that mezcal is much more than a drink: it is tradition, territory, culture, and above all, a great excuse to sit down and share.

And as in our best adventures, Mango came along too. All four places are pet friendly!

01. GIXI MEZCALERÍA

Between heaven, hell, and the flavors of Oaxaca.

Our first stop was GIXI Mezcalería, a space that won us over from the moment we walked through the door.

Its décor is full of details and personality. The place has different settings, including two spaces inspired by heaven and hell, as well as a charming patio that invites you to stay for hours.

Here we had the first tasting of our route, dedicated to discovering some of the flavors of Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s most representative mezcal-producing regions.

During the experience, we learned about the different varieties of maguey, their production processes, and how each one contributes particular aromas, flavors, and characteristics to mezcal.

It was a fun and very interesting experience, especially because it allowed us to understand all the work and tradition behind every glass.

What we loved: the décor, the different settings, and the opportunity to get closer to the world of mezcal in a relaxed and authentic way.

Location: Cuna de Allende 11, Centro, San Miguel de Allende.

02. THE ROOM

A speakeasy for discovering Mexican mezcal.

Our second stop took us to The Room, a place with the charm of bars that seem to be hiding a secret.

With an intimate atmosphere, dim lighting, and a concept that combines cocktails, music, and mezcal, The Room is perfect for those looking for a different kind of experience.

The place has two settings that complement each other perfectly. On one side, a bar with reddish and bluish lighting, where on weekends music and DJs are part of the experience. On the other, a lounge with a long table, designed to feel enveloping, that invites you to sit, talk, and share a tasting in a slightly brighter setting.

We had our tasting right at the bar, and it was a great decision.

We had the opportunity to meet Ana and Luciano, the owners of the place, who shared with us their passion for Mexican spirits and the story behind their selection of artisanal mezcals.

Something we found especially interesting was discovering the diversity of their selection, made up mainly of artisanal mezcals from different producing regions of Mexico.

During the tasting, we tried expressions from Puebla, Oaxaca, Guanajuato, and Michoacán, among others, discovering surprising differences in their aromas, flavors, and processes.

Beyond the tasting itself, we loved the conversation and the chance to get to know mezcal from the perspective of people who truly enjoy sharing it.

What we loved: its speakeasy atmosphere, the selection of artisanal mezcals, and the experience of doing a tasting right at the bar.

Location: Canal 16, Centro, San Miguel de Allende. 

03. SAN MEZCAL

Mezcal, great food, and after-dinner conversations that stretch on.

Our third stop was San Mezcal, a mezcalería that combines the best of two worlds: mezcal culture and contemporary Mexican cuisine.

Located on Recreo Street, San Mezcal has a small, cozy bar, as well as a restaurant space where you can enjoy anything from a good meal to dinner accompanied by cocktails.

Here we took part in a tasting guided by Julieta Aguilar Herrera, who led us through different expressions of mezcal, their characteristics, and the stories behind each spirit.

Julio, who is behind the project, has created a space where mezcal and gastronomy come together naturally, inviting visitors to discover new flavors.

But the experience didn’t end there.

They treated us to some dishes from their kitchen: delicious shrimp tacos, a spinach salad with cheese that is absolutely worth trying, and to finish on a high note, a simply extraordinary sweet tamal.

We also enjoyed some of their cocktails, discovering how mezcal can be enjoyed both on its own and through mixology creations.

Among the mezcals we tried, one especially surprised us: Don Mateo, Alto, from Michoacán, made from agave inaequidens, whose maturation can take between 8 and 14 years. A mezcal with a fresh character, herbal and citrus notes, and aromas that evoke the forest and wet earth. Its personality made it one of our favorites of the entire route.

And if you’re looking for another excuse to visit, they have their Lunes de Cantina, a concept for starting the week with cocktails, mezcal, and good food.

What we loved: being able to combine a tasting with a complete dining experience. It’s a perfect place to discover mezcal, but also to sit down for dinner and enjoy without rushing.

Location: Recreo 88, Centro, San Miguel de Allende.

04. COYOTE FUEGO MEZCALERÍA

Mexican tradition, spaces with personality, and house mezcal.

Our last stop was Coyote Fuego Mezcalería, one of the newest concepts we visited during our route.

It combines contemporary Mexican cuisine, tacos, steaks, signature cocktails, and a selection of mezcals.

The place is spacious and has different rooms, each with its own personality. Its décor features very Mexican details, from traditional elements to a space for shopping for cowboy boots that gives it a special character.

In addition to its spaces for lunch or dinner, it also has a room that is ideal for tastings.

That’s where we had our final tasting, accompanied by one of their team members, who welcomed us very warmly and shared information about their mezcals.

One of Coyote Fuego’s distinctive features is that it also has its own mezcal brand, which allowed us to get to know and try some of its expressions.

It was a close, interesting experience and an excellent way to end our tour.

We also liked that the place offers different possibilities: you can go for tacos and a cocktail, organize a dinner with friends, or take the time to discover the universe of mezcal through a tasting.

What we loved: its spaces, the décor, the service, and the opportunity to get to know the mezcals from its own brand.

Location: Hernández Macías 48, Centro, San Miguel de Allende. 

FOUR PLACES, MANY STORIES TO DISCOVER

After visiting these four mezcalerías, we came away with more than just the memory of the mezcals we tried.

We took with us stories, conversations, and a new appreciation for one of Mexico’s most representative traditions.

Each place has something special: GIXI surprised us with its spaces; The Room, with its atmosphere and selection of spirits; San Mezcal, with its combination of gastronomy and mezcal; and Coyote Fuego, with its concept and house mezcals.

The best part is that you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy a tasting. All it takes is curiosity, a desire to learn, and a willingness to discover new flavors.

And one detail that always matters to us: Mango was welcome at all our stops. So this route can also be enjoyed in the company of your best four-legged friend.

Because in San Miguel de Allende, the best experiences are not always in the places we already know, but in those we dare to discover.

What will our next route be?

Local Guide — Discover San Miguel de Allende.