Don’t be mistaken by the rustic dark ambience of De La O Cantina; its aesthetic may be sleek, but the atmosphere gets vibrant. Inspired by Genovevo de la O, who was an important figure in the Mexican Revolution, the bar has a really open environment; everyone who visits here is considered a friend. With amazing ingredients, the food and drink here are incredible, so it’s necessary to order a few plates to share.

One word sums up De La O Cantina's modern cantina philosophy perfectly: "Guadalajatiki." Expect cocktails like "Pulque Tropical" made from Mexico's first alcoholic beverage — before beer arrived via Europe — which is the fermented sap of the century plant, flavored with pineapple syrup and fortified with some aguardiente to boost the alcohol levels to traditional tiki levels. The food menu reflects their dark cantina vibe, super simple and highly effective drinking snacks like a Mexican [unpasteurized] cheese board, chicharrón tacos drowned in salsa verde, and an aguachile tatemado made from burnt chiles. Calle Argentina 70, Col Americana, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44160

For the adventurous drinker, this is the spot to try funky Jaliscan mezcals and a bevy of the highest quality traditional fermented beverages, from tepache, a fermented pineapple drink, to pulqué, a slightly effervescent ferment of agua miel, the sap from the heart of an agave plant. Sit at the bar, and the bartender/owner, a Tennessee native named Braden, will guide you through the menu and happily concoct a cocktail tailored to your every and any whim. Take a look at their hours before you go; they pride themselves on being a place for “beber de dia,” which translates to “day drinking.

De La O Cantina is funky, eclectic, and welcoming with its Mexican retro feel and thrift store array of vintage radios, TVs, and paintings. Sit at the teal blue-tiled bar in a black swivel bar chair, or pull up to mid-century tables with friends for De La O’s popular “Guadalatiki” tiki-influenced cocktails. Think Pepita Tequila Mai Tais, agave and rum-centric drinks, and seasonal cocktails, all paired with tacos and tostaditos.Drink This: Crowd-pleasers include the likes of a Cynar Daiquiri, Banana Colada, or a cardamom-ginger-spiced Masala Colada.

De La O takes the local flavors and combines them with the tropical and exotic flavors of tiki culture, resulting in a unique and exciting food and drink menu, which is definitely a work of art. One of the highlights of its impressive cocktail menu, which features drinks such as the Margarita Fancy and Pepita Tequila Mai Tai, made with local tequila and other unique ingredients. The bar also incorporates traditional Mexican ingredients like tepache, a fermented pineapple drink, and pulque, a fermented sap from the agave plant, into its drinks.

This is yet another entry on the World’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list. The fact that this keeps happening should probably be an indicator of the quality of nightlife in Colonia Americana. With a white brick wall decorated with framed images of the Mexican revolution, De la O Cantina draws inspiration from Mexico’s traditional cantinas, serving cocktails made up from traditional drinks like tepache, a fermented pineapple drink, and pulque, fermented sap from the agave plant which was a popular pre-Hispanic alcoholic beverage.

One of the bars that helped propel Guadalajara’s culinary and bar scene forward, De La O highlights two distinctive expressions of fermentation in Mexican culture: tepache (fermented pineapple) and pulque (fermented agave), often combined with tequila or other agave distillates. Get the Tepache Jaibol or La Buena Yerbabuena, and snack on the chicharrón tacos. The bar also pays homage to the greater history of the cocktail renaissance with a page dedicated to cocktails created by Phil Ward.

Another great place to sip and nibble in the historic center is the De La O Cantina (pronounced “D’lao”, short for “to the side” in Spanish, since sits it is next door to Pare de Sufrir Mezcalería). This new spot, opened in December of 2017, has a nice range of Mexican distillates, including Mexican rum, gin, and of course, the best small batch tequilas and mezcals. The menu boasts some delicious cocktails too, but don’t ask for a mezcal cocktail.

A trendy, modern twist on the traditional Mexican cantina experience. Located in the heart of Colonia Americana, this lively spot blends a laid-back atmosphere with vibrant décor, creating a perfect setting for casual drinks with friends. Known for its creative cocktails and wide selection of mezcal and tequila, Cantina de la Óh also serves up delicious Mexican snacks like tacos and quesadillas to pair with your drinks.

Nestled on the lively Chapultepec Avenue, De La O stands out as a beacon for craft beer and cocktail lovers. This trendy bar takes pride in featuring a vast variety of local and international beers, catering to both casual drinkers and discerning beer connoisseurs. The bar’s atmosphere is lively and relaxed, often punctuated by engaging conversations and friendly gatherings.

- What Sets it Apart: De la O is a modern cantina that seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary vibes. Explore a cocktail menu inspired by local flavors, and don't miss the house special, dobladas with panela, plantain, guajillo sauce, and cream. Remember, no reservations here, so arrive early!

Un lugar divertido y relajado para beber y disfrutar de los mejores cócteles de Guadalajara. Sabores y presentaciones divertidas en cada bebida. Un gran balance entre la oferta de comida y bebida en esta cantina mexicana “que aparenta” ser tradicional pero te sorprende con su experiencia.

But Guadalajara also has a growing reputation for its cocktail scene, most obviously led by El Gallo Altanera, which has won a spot on North America’s 50 best bars since opening in 2018, and De La O, which seems to get a lot less press but whose cocktails I admit I like even better.

On the more splurge-worthy side but still very good value is the Cantina de la O, a relaxed and hip venue in Colonia Americana, serving stand-out cocktails and traditional regional dishes like quesadillas de chicharron, enchiladas and the cecina taco ($25).

De La O Cantina – “Takes local Guadalajaran flavours and combines them with a tiki bar concept to get Guadalatiki, an idea that underpins the food and drink offering at this seemingly traditional Mexican cantina. It’s the best place to try local tequilas!.

De la O: I’m starting to think that it’s easier to find a cool bar ambiance, with laidback folks, AND great cocktails in Guadalajara. (In Mexico City one of these elements is often missing). De La O is a bar that I just keep going back to.

But for something more than commercial Mexican beers, head to Casa Trapiche just two blocks off Chapu—as it’s known to the locals—for some craft ale tasting flights, or down to De La O for tiki culture and innovative pulque cocktails.

The cocktails and atmosphere are the reason you wait in line to get into De La O Cantina, but once inside, don’t skip over the food. The tiki bar serves up perfect bites alongside its strong and creative cocktails.

De La O Cantina: don’t let the ‘cantina’ in the name fool you. This watering hole is certainly on the trendier side!. Expect a more upscale environment with craft cocktails and high-quality tequilas.

Though primarily known as a craft cocktail bar, De La O features a lengthy and delicious local craft bottled beer list, as well as an absolutely killer ambience and excellent mezcal selection.