Top Rated Nightlife in Oaxaca

At La Tentación, located about three blocks from the Zócalo, dancing is the name of the game. Here, groove to tunes by live bands as well as DJ's and their well stocked bar. The energy is always high here, so those looking for a fun filled night would do good to check out La Tentación.

This trendy microbrewery is a great little hot-spot for those looking for homemade beer. There are usually several microbrews on tap, and bartenders with a passion for beer who serve them. Grilled cheese sandwiches and burger sliders dominate the smallish menu, but shrewd patrons know that the bar connects to the Gourmand deli next door, where they can order freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie plates. The place has a homespun look to it, with warehouse-sized ceilings, ladders, and visible beer-making operations behind the counter and above it. In some ways the place recalls all the new and suddenly popular microbreweries, but there is a definitely an Oaxacan feel to it.

Producers and distributors of the finest traditional mezcal in the city, the products found at Mezcaloteca are a cut above most of the others you would find in the city. Intimate, quaint and almost always filled with excited mezcal enthusiasts, this is where you should head to if you want to have a shot at Mexico's premier alcoholic beverage. Taking pride in its Maestro Mezcaleros heritage, this store honors its inherited tradition through the use of age-old distilling methods, techniques and recipes. The maguey plants are hand picked by experienced staff to ensure a flawless batch of mezcal.

La Biznaga, located just a very short walk from the Zocalo and Santo Domingo, is considered one of the best restaurants in the city by both locals and tourists alike. The bar features gourmet, specialty drinks, and are especially known for their mojitos. Rather than individual menus, the food offerings are posted on large chalkboards hanging on the walls. No matter what you order, your meal is sure to be a delightful mixture of traditional Oaxacan cuisine and ingredients, mixed with modern techniques and flavor combinations, a most delightful marriage in Oaxaca's culinary scene. Although most of the time the restaurante is al fresco, the roof is convertable, so you will be able to enjoy La Biznaga's offerings rain or shine.

Nueva Babel is a small bar located just about four blocks from the Zócalo. This tiny yet lively bar often hosts jazz groups and musicians and is one of the better known live music venues in the Centro Histórico. Even when it's packed, Nueva Babel still manages to exude a laid back atmosphere that would make anyone feel right at home.