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Tlecān

Mexico City

Where Mexican culture and agave spirits come together

For a fun yet informed insertion into Mexico's wide agave culture, Tlecān should be your first port of call in Mexico City. An intimate and low-profile spot, which, despite being located on a main drag in Roma Norte, could be instantly missed if it weren't for the thirsty agave lovers lining up outside. Tlecān translates as 'place of fire' in the indigenous Mexican Náhuatl language.

Inside, one of the first features you'll notice is the remarkable Disc of the Death standing tall at the end of the bar, a carved stone paying tribute to Mexico's pre-Hispanic roots. Like the installation, it's usually standing room only so bag a wooden stool if at all possible; shoulder wiggling to a cumbia soundtrack is obligatory.

Mezcal is the star at Tlecān, although the team is passionate about sourcing small-batch and hard-to-find agave distillates – including lesser-known bacanora, pox and raicilla – directly from craft producers all over the country. Special effort is made to stock spirits made by female distillers.

While little sips are the best way to enjoy a small glass (agave shots come with a slice of orange), order a cocktail bearing a signature Tlecān twist; whatever you order will be a subtle lesson in agave. The refined Paloma Blanca, for example, is made with clarified grapefruit juice, while the Piña Colada is given a new lease of life with pulque (fermented sap of the maguey plant) and a coconut oil fat wash.

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