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Three summer cocktails in colors of orange, red and brown. Cereus Bar

15 Cocktail Bars to Try in Tijuana This Summer

For refreshing sips just south of the border, check out some of the city’s standout spots for cocktails

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Our neighbor to the south and Baja’s largest city, Tijuana has earned accolades for being home to the some of the best taquerias and cervecerías in Mexico. Although its cocktail culture has not yet received the same recognition, the region’s rooftop bars, pet-friendly hangouts, and aesthetically-pleasing nooks for cocktails continue to raise the profile of its drinking spaces; here’s a rundown of where to go for a refreshing summer cool down.

Note: map points are not ranked.

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Cereus Bar

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A casual bar by Coyote Projects, a collective of retail and hospitality businesses in TJ, Cereus Bar sits close to the San Ysidro border. Seasonal festivities will take place on the terrace in the coming weeks, including summer pop-ups with beer pong, tiki nights, arcade machines, corn hole, and other games, offered alongside bar bites like burgers and hot dogs.

Yellow cocktail drink with shaved ice in front of a pineapple. Cereus Bar

Casa Badóh

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In 2020, Casa Badóh opened its doors to reveal a remodeled, two-story restaurant, events venue, and bar. Since then, it has gained popularity for its drinking contests, taco nights, cocktail promotions and performances by Mexican artists and DJs on its newly renovated rooftop.

People bringing their glasses together to cheers, hovering over a plate of french fries and quesadillas. Casa Badóh

La Justina

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La Justina first established itself as a Zona Centro gastropub with a rustic feel, surf and turf food options, and drinks made with edible flowers like lavender. Its owners have since expanded with a new venture in the Valle de Guadalupe, where a restaurant and vineyard with the same vibe is now open to the public.

Hand holding a pink cocktail with berries in front of a neon sign that reads “Justina es amor.” La Justina / Instagram

Bar Bachano

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Nestled inside the new Hotel Lafayette, Bar Bachano transports cocktail fans to a chic, art deco bar with a specialized list of drinks made with gin (17 to be exact). Mezcal options are available, too, as well as classic cocktails like negronis and martinis.

Gin drink in a tall glass with olives and mint leaves. Bar Bachano / Instagram

Dandy del Sur Cantina

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A classic dive bar in downtown Tijuana, Dandy del Sur Cantina is a 60s and 70s-inspired low-key spot where conversations can be accompanied by tarros cubanos, beer, and other straightforward cocktails.

Neon sign in blue, red, white and orange. Dandy del Sur Cantina / Facebook

Estación Central Tijuana

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Another downtown favorite, Estación Central has a lengthy list of wines, beers and cocktails unique to the place. If you’re there on a Wednesday, make sure to stay a bit longer for live jazz night.

Two cocktail drinks, one is red with sugar on the rim. The other is beige and creamy. Estación Central Tijuana / Instagram

Aruba Day Drink Bar

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This dog-friendly bar prides itself on welcoming any and all canine companions. A new summer menu can be expected after the bar’s one year anniversary in July, but in the meantime, guests can grub on chicken wings and sip on unique drinks like an espresso float made with cacao liquor and vanilla ice cream.

Brown espresso float cocktail with foam on top. Aruba Day Drink Bar

Together | coffee-bar

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A coffee bar serving both coffee drinks and cocktails until late at night, with 15 different types of beer on tap, smoothies, juices, and mocktails, this spot makes a strong impression with its menu of coffee-infused alcoholic drinks.

Hand with rings and polished manicure holding a bubbly drink with mint leaves. Together Coffee-Bar

Licobar

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A bar and small nightclub come together to host birthdays and nights out. Suitable for dancing or just casual drinks, this spot offers Mariachi Thursdays and DJ sets, with weekly specials and great deals on beer.

Red cocktail with slices of grapefruit around it. Licobar / Instagram

San Mareé

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From animal-shaped cups to smoked drinks, San Mareé’s list offers everything from classic Mexican coffee carajillos to unique cocktails like the Mareé 2.0 made with cucumber mezcal and passionfruit. If you’re still undecided, ask for the dealer’s choice and prepare to be surprised.

Coffee drink with foam and flower petals. San Mareé

Nórtico Bar

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A speakeasy hidden inside acclaimed restaurant Oryx, those equipped with the passcode can enter the intimate and moody space where classic cocktails flow. Ideal for dates or cozy hangouts, Nórtico provides a unique and private experience to a few guests at a time.

Wooden beams over a bar with dim lighting. Nórtico Bar

BODEGA 8

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One of the standouts in Plaza Paseo Chapultepec, Bodega 8 sits on the corner of the second floor, overlooking Tijuana’s busy streets and skyscrapers. The food there is delectable but the flavored martinis are on another level. As of now, the place offers cucumber, mazapan and lychee martinis.

Hand with pink nails holding a yellow lychee martini. Bodega 8 / Instagram

Oryx Restaurante

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An elevated restaurant borrowing flavors from both California and Baja California, Oryx by chef Ruffo Ibarra houses a selection of liquors and wines from these regions. The original “paloma encabronada” was made here — a drink made with spicy tequila, lime juice, agave, grapefruit and smoked salt.

Pouring yellow cocktail drink into a coupe glass. Oryx Restaurante

Banger Rooftop

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Perched on Fin de California’s rooftop, this vibrant lounge with splashes of color and a neon tunnel is a Mexican spot with an Italian twist where guests have the option to dine under the sun or cool off under the stars at night with Italian sodas, “frizzantes,” sours, “chítricos” and other bubbly and fizzy drinks made with Italian liquors and served in tiki mugs shaped like Donatella Versace and Luciano Pavarotti.

Cocktail cup painted like Donatella Versace. Banger Rooftop

Casa Prado

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Another pet-friendly bar, Casa Prado has a casual and laidback approach to its bar, which specializes in craft beer, natural wines, and cocktails. Cool off at the picnic tables on the patio with drinks over brunch bites like burgers and waffle fries.

Red clamato drink with an oyster and a lime wedge. Casa Prado

Cereus Bar

A casual bar by Coyote Projects, a collective of retail and hospitality businesses in TJ, Cereus Bar sits close to the San Ysidro border. Seasonal festivities will take place on the terrace in the coming weeks, including summer pop-ups with beer pong, tiki nights, arcade machines, corn hole, and other games, offered alongside bar bites like burgers and hot dogs.

Yellow cocktail drink with shaved ice in front of a pineapple. Cereus Bar

Casa Badóh

In 2020, Casa Badóh opened its doors to reveal a remodeled, two-story restaurant, events venue, and bar. Since then, it has gained popularity for its drinking contests, taco nights, cocktail promotions and performances by Mexican artists and DJs on its newly renovated rooftop.

People bringing their glasses together to cheers, hovering over a plate of french fries and quesadillas. Casa Badóh

La Justina

La Justina first established itself as a Zona Centro gastropub with a rustic feel, surf and turf food options, and drinks made with edible flowers like lavender. Its owners have since expanded with a new venture in the Valle de Guadalupe, where a restaurant and vineyard with the same vibe is now open to the public.

Hand holding a pink cocktail with berries in front of a neon sign that reads “Justina es amor.” La Justina / Instagram

Bar Bachano

Nestled inside the new Hotel Lafayette, Bar Bachano transports cocktail fans to a chic, art deco bar with a specialized list of drinks made with gin (17 to be exact). Mezcal options are available, too, as well as classic cocktails like negronis and martinis.

Gin drink in a tall glass with olives and mint leaves. Bar Bachano / Instagram

Dandy del Sur Cantina

A classic dive bar in downtown Tijuana, Dandy del Sur Cantina is a 60s and 70s-inspired low-key spot where conversations can be accompanied by tarros cubanos, beer, and other straightforward cocktails.

Neon sign in blue, red, white and orange. Dandy del Sur Cantina / Facebook

Estación Central Tijuana

Another downtown favorite, Estación Central has a lengthy list of wines, beers and cocktails unique to the place. If you’re there on a Wednesday, make sure to stay a bit longer for live jazz night.

Two cocktail drinks, one is red with sugar on the rim. The other is beige and creamy. Estación Central Tijuana / Instagram

Aruba Day Drink Bar

This dog-friendly bar prides itself on welcoming any and all canine companions. A new summer menu can be expected after the bar’s one year anniversary in July, but in the meantime, guests can grub on chicken wings and sip on unique drinks like an espresso float made with cacao liquor and vanilla ice cream.

Brown espresso float cocktail with foam on top. Aruba Day Drink Bar

Together | coffee-bar

A coffee bar serving both coffee drinks and cocktails until late at night, with 15 different types of beer on tap, smoothies, juices, and mocktails, this spot makes a strong impression with its menu of coffee-infused alcoholic drinks.

Hand with rings and polished manicure holding a bubbly drink with mint leaves. Together Coffee-Bar

Licobar

A bar and small nightclub come together to host birthdays and nights out. Suitable for dancing or just casual drinks, this spot offers Mariachi Thursdays and DJ sets, with weekly specials and great deals on beer.

Red cocktail with slices of grapefruit around it. Licobar / Instagram

San Mareé

From animal-shaped cups to smoked drinks, San Mareé’s list offers everything from classic Mexican coffee carajillos to unique cocktails like the Mareé 2.0 made with cucumber mezcal and passionfruit. If you’re still undecided, ask for the dealer’s choice and prepare to be surprised.

Coffee drink with foam and flower petals. San Mareé

Nórtico Bar

A speakeasy hidden inside acclaimed restaurant Oryx, those equipped with the passcode can enter the intimate and moody space where classic cocktails flow. Ideal for dates or cozy hangouts, Nórtico provides a unique and private experience to a few guests at a time.

Wooden beams over a bar with dim lighting. Nórtico Bar

BODEGA 8

One of the standouts in Plaza Paseo Chapultepec, Bodega 8 sits on the corner of the second floor, overlooking Tijuana’s busy streets and skyscrapers. The food there is delectable but the flavored martinis are on another level. As of now, the place offers cucumber, mazapan and lychee martinis.

Hand with pink nails holding a yellow lychee martini. Bodega 8 / Instagram

Oryx Restaurante

An elevated restaurant borrowing flavors from both California and Baja California, Oryx by chef Ruffo Ibarra houses a selection of liquors and wines from these regions. The original “paloma encabronada” was made here — a drink made with spicy tequila, lime juice, agave, grapefruit and smoked salt.

Pouring yellow cocktail drink into a coupe glass. Oryx Restaurante

Banger Rooftop

Perched on Fin de California’s rooftop, this vibrant lounge with splashes of color and a neon tunnel is a Mexican spot with an Italian twist where guests have the option to dine under the sun or cool off under the stars at night with Italian sodas, “frizzantes,” sours, “chítricos” and other bubbly and fizzy drinks made with Italian liquors and served in tiki mugs shaped like Donatella Versace and Luciano Pavarotti.

Cocktail cup painted like Donatella Versace. Banger Rooftop

Casa Prado

Another pet-friendly bar, Casa Prado has a casual and laidback approach to its bar, which specializes in craft beer, natural wines, and cocktails. Cool off at the picnic tables on the patio with drinks over brunch bites like burgers and waffle fries.

Red clamato drink with an oyster and a lime wedge. Casa Prado

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