Photo courtesy Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai
Thank goodness those days of sloppy, sticky, sugary, syrupy poolside drinks are numbered. At least they are when you choose a proper bar in which to imbibe, one with a bona fide mixologist on hand to shake up a real drink. Or two.
The latter is certainly true along Mexico‘s magnificent Caribbean coast. Throughout Riviera Maya, trendy new cocktail bars have transformed this increasingly popular luxury travel destination into one of the country’s top drinking destinations, in some cases even rivaling the capital’s much talked about bar scene.
From Playa del Carmen to Tulum, this region of the Yucatan Peninsula now attracts some of the country’s most talented bartenders, experts at crafting drinks that mix indigenous ingredients like damiana leaf, hoja santa, and Mayan oregano alongside Mexico’s celebrated agave spirits.
Curious to learn more? Here’s where you need to go to experience some of the very best cocktails bars in Riviera Maya.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Riviera Maya
Lobby Bar @ The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai
It’s for good reason that the Lobby Bar at Riviera Maya EDITION is on this list of great cocktail bars. Not only is the bar’s cocktail program amazing, but the setting itself is quite the spectacle. Sip an agave-based beverage as you take in the more than 100 attention-grabbing Mayan artifacts and you’ll feel a little like you’re in an afterhours museum or, perhaps, the lair of a Bond villain with an interest in Mexican history.
You’ll have Bar Director Emanuel Nuñez to thank for the exquisite flavors your sipping. In addition to procuring one of the region’s largest collections of agave Spirits, Nuñez oversees a menu chock-full of authentic Mexican ingredients. In addition to the agaves, the bar boasts rare sotols alongside familiar tequilas and mezcals, which accompany always-fresh ingredients such as corn milk, pineapple-cacao cordial, and house-made ginger-lemongrass vermouth. Honestly, “delicious” doesn’t do the cocktails served here justice.
While you’re staying at the EDITION, check out the SO’OL Beach Club, by Tomás Bermúdez. Just steps from the sparkling Caribbean Sea, this place proves that beach bars can evolve beyond those icky frozen standards we mentioned earlier. But don’t take our word for it. Order the Espuma Colada, a blend of white rum meets coconut water and clarified roasted pineapple juice for a light, more sophisticated take on a traditional piña colada.
Bambuco by Handshake @ Maroma, A Belmond Hotel
As an outpost of Mexico City‘s legendary Handshake Speakeasy (the world’s top bar in 2024), Bambuco brings zero-waste mixology to the Caribbean coast. The Tomato Is a Fruit cocktail combines tequila, strawberry, tomato, and coconut for an unexpected burst of flavors, while the Smoked Basil combines mezcal with basil, lime, whey, and black pepper for a cocktail you won’t soon forget.
Best of all, Bambuco is based within Belmond’s Maroma resort, which just so happens to be one of the most luxurious 5-star hotels in Riviera Maya… and that’s saying something.
Zapote Bar @ Rosewood Mayakoba
At Zapote, cocktails tell reflect the best of the Yucatán Peninsula, but in liquid form. The Venado cocktail exemplifies this fun approach: Mexican white rum infused with Mayan oregano combines with lime-salvia cordial, Lillet Blanc, lime soda, hoja santa, and cacao. The result? It’s like a tasting tour of the region’s botanical heritage.
Zapote Bar is also a place to treat your palate to new and interesting flavors introduced by regular guest bartenders from across Mexico. Add live music to the mix and you’re guaranteed a fun night out… without actually having to go out.
The St. Regis Bar @ The St. Regis Kanai Resort
The staff at The St. Regis Bar take local sourcing seriously enough to employ a full-time herbalist to transforms regional plants into syrups and sodas. The house cola alone incorporates cacao, damiana leaf, and mangrove leaf, and is so much better than anything you’ll ever get from a bottle.
House faves? Try The Elote Old Fashioned, a fresh approach to the classic that features Mexican corn whiskey mixed with mezcal, tamarind, and toasted corn husk. Also great, the Batanga pairs tequila with that remarkable house cola and aromatic palo santo.
Arca Tulum
Ranked one of North America’s 50 Best Bars, Arca Tulum has earned its reputation through cocktails inspired by its lush jungle surroundings. The open-air venue centers around a wood-fired hearth where chefs prepare dishes that complement the bar’s botanical-centric drinks program.
The cocktail menu here changes seasonally but consistently features ingredients foraged from the surrounding jungle that are paired with Mexico’s diverse spirits. The outdoor setting, with tables scattered beneath the canopy, creates an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and somehow wild all at the same time. A highly recommended drinks experience.
Planning Your Cocktail Adventure
Given the fact that these cocktail bars in Riviera Maya are so damn good (many are ranked among North America’s best), we thoroughly recommend making reservations, particularly during high season from December through April. Some of the best are also located in hotels, making it easy for guests to stagger back to their rooms after.
Not a guest? Not to worry, as most welcome outsiders at their bars, though some beach clubs may require minimum purchases during peak hours. Taxi services between properties are readily available. Better still, consider hiring a driver for the evening if you plan to visit multiple venues.
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Bryan Dearsley is a luxury lifestyles writer, a prolific traveler, and a Founder of the Riley network of luxury lifestyle websites.
