Cocktails, in the right neighborhood, no fuss. This Mexico City crawl keeps things focused on serious craft bars around Paseo de la Reforma and Juárez, with small-group attention and an air-conditioned car to move you along.

I especially like the personal drink matching when the host is Mauricio—he steers you toward flavors you’ll actually enjoy, from mezcal and tequila to gin and bourbon styles. And the stops aren’t the usual tourist slog; one highlight is the award-winning speakeasy Handshake Speakeasy, where the menu invites you to try something new.

The main trade-off is simple: drinks cost extra, since alcoholic beverages aren’t included. Plan on roughly $10–12 per drink, and you’ll be happier with your budget.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Six-person max means more conversation and less waiting around
• English-speaking host (Mauricio is a common name) who matches your preferences to the menu
• Three distinct bar stops with craft cocktails, including Handshake Speakeasy
• Private air-conditioned vehicle between places, so you avoid taxi hassles
• Admission includes bar access, but alcohol is on you ($10–12 per drink)

Why Reforma and Juárez makes sense for a craft crawl

Paseo de la Reforma is Mexico City’s main showpiece road. It’s wide, iconic, and easy to understand, even if you’ve only been here a day.

Juárez sits right in the same orbit, so you get the best mix: big-city views outside, and more intimate nightlife options once you’re at the bars. It’s a strong area for craft cocktail culture because you can hop between polished venues without turning the night into a logistics puzzle.

For a crawl like this, that matters. You want your time to go toward tasting and comparing drinks—not figuring out where you are, how to get across town, or whether the ride app is going to be annoying that evening.

The 7:30 pm plan: meeting spot, hotel finish, and car comfort

You start in Anzures, at Calz. Gral. Mariano Escobedo 700, and the tour begins at 7:30 pm. It ends at the Mexico City Marriott Reforma Hotel, which is handy because you can grab a taxi or use an Uber from there.

The ride between bars is where this tour quietly wins. You’re traveling in a climate-controlled private vehicle, so you avoid taxis and the stop-and-go frustration that can drain the fun out of a night.

It’s also designed for real-world Mexico City movement. The start point is near public transportation, and the whole crawl runs on a tight schedule, so you’re not stranded while you wait to catch up with everyone.

One practical tip: wear something you can move comfortably in. Even with the car doing the heavy lifting, you’ll still be stepping in and out of venues and walking short distances.

Stop 1 around Reforma: the landmark-bar vibe sets your taste baseline

Your first stretch focuses on Reforma and Juárez. You’ll spend about 50 minutes in this opening part, which gives you time to settle in and get your palate ready for the night.

The first bar is described as a Ritz Carlton bar in multiple accounts, and that makes sense for a craft crawl opener. Hotel bars usually have a reliable cocktail program, good glassware, and staff who can help you think in flavor terms fast.

This is a smart way to begin. When you get the first few sips early, you start picking up patterns—how the menu balances sweet vs. bitter, or how smoke shows up (or doesn’t) in mezcal-based drinks. It also helps if you’re not sure whether you like tequila-forward cocktails or prefer gin and citrus styles.

What to do at Stop 1: lean into questions. The host’s whole job here is to recommend based on what you enjoy—so don’t be shy about telling them if you like spirit-forward drinks, creamy textures, or bright and dry cocktails.

Handshake Speakeasy: where the mood turns more playful and menu-driven

One stop you’ll hear about for a reason: Handshake Speakeasy. It’s repeatedly described as award-winning, and the big draw is the speakeasy energy plus a menu that gives you real choices.

Speakeasies tend to reward curiosity. Instead of ordering the safest thing on the page, you get encouraged to explore flavor profiles—things like spice, herbal notes, or how citrus is used to cut through stronger alcohol.

The host and the bar team play a role here. Servers are noted as helpful when menus have lots of options, which matters if you’re not a die-hard cocktail person. You can say what you like (or don’t like), and you won’t feel forced into a drink that’s totally wrong for your taste.

This stop is also where group energy tends to rise. A small group of six is perfect for actually chatting while you compare notes. You’ll also get chances to hear how other people think about the same drink—sweetness level, finish length, and whether it feels “balanced” to them.

Potential drawback at any speakeasy-style venue: it can feel louder or more intimate depending on the night. If you’re someone who hates crowds, this is the portion where you’ll want to keep an eye on how packed the room feels.

The third top-ranked cocktail stop: finishing with something memorable

The itinerary wraps with a third bar that’s described in high-ranking terms—one account calls out a bar voted #1 in North America in 2025, and others mention world top-rated status. The name isn’t spelled out in the details you have here, so I won’t guess. But the expectation is clear: craft cocktails, serious quality, and a venue worth the extra effort.

By the time you reach the final stop, you’ve already tasted a baseline (first bar) and explored creativity (Handshake). That gives you a useful advantage. You can compare how the last bar handles structure—how they build the drink, not just what flavors they throw in.

This is also where strong hosts earn their keep. The host recommendations across the crawl are repeatedly praised as thoughtful and well-balanced. In practice, that means you’ll likely end up with at least one drink you didn’t expect to love—often because it matches your preferences more precisely than you could manage alone.

If you want to get the most out of the last stop, pace yourself earlier. It’s not just about not getting too full. It’s about keeping your taste buds sharp enough to notice what’s different between rounds.

Mauricio’s craft-cocktail style: matching tastes, not just names

In many accounts, Mauricio is the host people highlight most. When you’re paying for a guided crawl, that matters more than people think.

He’s described as engaging, easy to talk to, and passionate about cocktails and Mexico City’s bar scene. He also stands out for explaining drinks in ways that make flavor profiles feel practical, not academic—like he’s helping you order smarter rather than lecturing.

If your drink style leans toward specific spirits, this is a big plus. One account calls out interest in gin, bourbon, scotch, and tequila, and notes that recommendations pointed in those directions. That tells you the approach: you give a few cues, and he steers you toward drinks that fit your base preferences.

Another underrated benefit: he helps the group click. With a small circle of six, it’s easier to introduce people to each other, keep conversation moving, and avoid the awkward shuffle that can happen in larger group tours. You’re not stuck in a line of strangers; you’re out with people who are actually in the same mood.

One more practical note: English is included. That’s the difference between enjoying a nice night and having to translate everything in your head while you’re trying to taste subtle notes.

Price and logistics: how $47.14 turns into a real night out

The ticket price is $47.14 per person, and admission gets you access to all three bars. Drinks aren’t included, and alcohol is typically $10–12 per drink.

So here’s the value logic. You’re paying for three things:

• entry access so you can focus on tasting
• a guided, curated flow between venues
• help ordering and choosing so you don’t waste money on drinks you don’t like

If you were planning this on your own, you’d still pay for the drinks—you’d just add extra costs (time, rides, and trial-and-error ordering). This tour reduces that trial-and-error part.

Your total out-of-pocket alcohol spend depends on how many drinks you order. A simple way to think about it:

Total ≈ $47.14 + (number of drinks × $10–12)

If you’re a “two drinks and I’m happy” person, your budget stays reasonable. If you’re the “I want to compare three different spirits” person, it can climb quickly—but at least you’ll be comparing with purpose.

Also note: the tour is typically booked about 27 days in advance on average. That’s usually a sign demand is real. If you’re traveling in a busy stretch, book sooner rather than later.

How to get more out of the night (without overthinking it)

First, be honest about what you like. If you prefer spirit-forward drinks, say so. If you like sweet, say so. If you want something lighter and less heavy, tell the host early.

Second, take one careful sip before you switch your focus. It sounds basic, but it’s the quickest way to learn what a drink tastes like before you get distracted by conversation.

Third, remember you’re on a timeline. The crawl is about 3 hours 30 minutes total. Even if you want to linger, your best experience comes from following the flow and saving your biggest questions for the moments when the group is settled.

Finally, plan your ride after. Since the tour ends at the Marriott Reforma, you’re in a simple pickup zone—cab or Uber—so you won’t be stuck trying to find transport at the exact moment you want to wrap up.

Should you book this Mexico City craft cocktail crawl?

Book it if you want a high-focus cocktail night without turning it into a research project. The small six-person group size, the private car between stops, and the drink matching—often with Mauricio—are the combination that makes this feel like a curated evening, not just a generic bar hop.

Skip it if you don’t want to spend extra on alcohol. The ticket covers bar access, but the drinks are priced separately at about $10–12 each, so your experience will cost more once you start ordering.

Also consider your pace. This is timed and structured (even though it feels social). If you hate plans and prefer free-form roaming, you might find it a bit more guided than you like.

If you love craft cocktails and you’d rather spend your time tasting than figuring out where to go next, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Mexico City Craft Cocktail Bar Crawl?

It runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes.

What’s the group size for this tour?

The tour has a maximum of 6 travelers.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. Drinks are typically $10–12 per drink.

Where do I meet the tour, and when does it start?

You meet at Calz. Gral. Mariano Escobedo 700, Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, and the tour starts at 7:30 pm.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at the Mexico City Marriott Reforma Hotel on Av. Paseo de la Reforma 276, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather or you cancel late?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. For cancellations, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; changes made less than 24 hours before start time aren’t accepted.