Five bars, chosen on the record: one on World's 50 Best, two on North America's 50 Best.
El Gallo Altanero is an agave bar in Guadalajara's Colonia Americana, entered through a cafe, with thirteen seats, rooster artwork and a backlit stained-glass agave window. The menu changes regularly and rebuilds classics with tequila, raicilla and mezcal, led by its Jalisco Old Fashioned.
A bar and kitchen in a converted garage in Colonia Americana, named after the Roman arts patron Gaius Cilnius Maecenas. It is led by José Luis Hinostroza with head bartender Arturo Santos and draws on art, culture and craft for its drinks program. The team makes its own liqueurs from cane alcohol infused with botanicals and fresh fruit, works with the local distillery Satvrnal, and produces fortified wines with Discográfica winery. It currently stands at No. 18 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2026.
De La O is a cantina on Calle Argentina in Colonia Americana, named for the revolutionary Genovevo de la O. Its cocktail list works local ferments such as tepache and pulque into agave and rum drinks, with a playful nod to tiki. The bar is built around daytime drinking, opening from early afternoon. It takes no reservations and welcomes pets.
Farmacia Rita Pérez is a pharmacy-themed cantina on Calle Colonias in Colonia Americana that describes its offer as Mexican medicine. The cocktail list runs from house classics to botica and yerbero drinks built on herbs, backed by mezcal, tequila, raicilla, bacanora, sotol and pox. Aguachiles, tortas ahogadas and tacos come from the kitchen, and the room is 18 and over after 7pm.
Galgo Cocktail Social Club is a prohibition-era speakeasy in Colonia Providencia, hidden behind the door of an old law office. Open since 2017, it seats guests along a long lit marble counter with leather stools and tufted banquettes. Tables are booked through its reservation page or by phone, and the bar pours until 3am.
These 5 are the starting point. The full BarMagazine directory covers every listed bar in Guadalajara, with a map, filters by bar type, and new openings as we verify them.
