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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.