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Mezcalería Tobalá
Mezcalería Tobalá
Mezcalería Tobalá/Facebook

Where to Find Mezcal and Rare Tequilas in Austin

A look at bold and obscure booze

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Mezcalería Tobalá
| Mezcalería Tobalá/Facebook

Most will agree that the margarita is Austin’s signature cocktail. Its citrusy, salty disposition easily compliments a variety of our favorite plates, from ceviche, to tacos, to the richest quesos. Its close cousin, mezcal, is treated even more as an afterthought whose role is often only to lend smokiness. But for agave-spirit enthusiasts (or the curious), Austin is fortunate that a number of bars hold craft tequilas and mezcals in high regard. The bars below not only showcase rarer, top-tier, and often single village, bottles, the bartenders also concoct specialty cocktails that exhibit the liquors’ complexities and versatility. In other words, here’s where not to bring your bros for shots.

— Melody Fury

Cocktail Week eyebrow
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Mezcalería Tobalá

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This upstairs hideaway focuses strictly on mezcals, served in half- or full-pours out of clay copitas or glass veladoras. This intimate setting is ideal for learning about this celebrated spirit from knowledgeable bartenders like Matthew Ross.

Bar Ilegal

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Tucked away behind Clive Bar, this mezcal-centric spot showcases over 25 carefully selected bottles, along with a range of seasonal concoctions. The current fall menu also features warming ingredients like chocolate bitters, allspice dram, and Apple Jack.

Cantina El Milamores At Takoba

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Apart from the impressive selection of tequilas and mezcals, this patio bar at the popular East Austin eatery also serves up light-hearted, refreshing beverages. The mezcal flights come with Oaxaca cheese, chili powder, and orange slices to nibble on in between sips.

Cantina El Milamores/Official

400 Rabbits

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Situated next to the Alamo Drafthouse on Slaughter Lane, this agave-focused cocktail lounge offers food, flights, and a long lineup of cocktails. Guests can pick from three categories: Fun and Flirty, Mild Mannered, and Big and Brash.

La Condesa

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It's no surprise that this renowned eatery carries a wide variety of tequilas and mezcals to compliment the vibrant fare. The signature cocktail menu showcases unusual infusions like thyme-infused Union mezcal and whole leaf tobacco-infused Cazadores reposado.

El Naranjo

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This haven for interior Mexican cuisine offers an extensive list of agave spirits that can all be served straight up or in margaritas and Mexican martinis. The bartenders also shake up a selection of cocktails using housemade ingredients like basil agave nectar, chipotle orange cordial, and cucumber infused gin.

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Mezcalería Tobalá

This upstairs hideaway focuses strictly on mezcals, served in half- or full-pours out of clay copitas or glass veladoras. This intimate setting is ideal for learning about this celebrated spirit from knowledgeable bartenders like Matthew Ross.

Bar Ilegal

Tucked away behind Clive Bar, this mezcal-centric spot showcases over 25 carefully selected bottles, along with a range of seasonal concoctions. The current fall menu also features warming ingredients like chocolate bitters, allspice dram, and Apple Jack.

Cantina El Milamores At Takoba

Apart from the impressive selection of tequilas and mezcals, this patio bar at the popular East Austin eatery also serves up light-hearted, refreshing beverages. The mezcal flights come with Oaxaca cheese, chili powder, and orange slices to nibble on in between sips.

Cantina El Milamores/Official

400 Rabbits

Situated next to the Alamo Drafthouse on Slaughter Lane, this agave-focused cocktail lounge offers food, flights, and a long lineup of cocktails. Guests can pick from three categories: Fun and Flirty, Mild Mannered, and Big and Brash.

La Condesa

It's no surprise that this renowned eatery carries a wide variety of tequilas and mezcals to compliment the vibrant fare. The signature cocktail menu showcases unusual infusions like thyme-infused Union mezcal and whole leaf tobacco-infused Cazadores reposado.

El Naranjo

This haven for interior Mexican cuisine offers an extensive list of agave spirits that can all be served straight up or in margaritas and Mexican martinis. The bartenders also shake up a selection of cocktails using housemade ingredients like basil agave nectar, chipotle orange cordial, and cucumber infused gin.

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