Museo Textil de Oaxaca
Learn about traditional weaving
methods through workshops , see
the latest in contemporary textile
art, or—at the very least—peek at
pictures of the striking courtyard.
museotextildeoaxaca.org.Oaxacking
Guide Omar Alonso leads private
tours on which you get to meet
market vendors, mezcaleros, and
artisans. $150 U.S./person;
oaxacking.com.Turista Gráfico
Delve into street art and the indie
creative scene on a bilingual walk-
ing tour of the city’s printmaking
workshops. facebook.com/
pasaportegrafico.WHERE TO SHOP
Colectivo 1050°
Oaxacan artisans work together
to design handmade clay mezcal
cups , lamps, and other functional
objects sold in this small shop.
1050grados.com.
Hilo de Nube Oaxaca
The modern, concrete-clad fair-
trade store offers traditional
embroidered garments called
huipiles , made in the village of
San Juan Guichicovi and other
neighboring communities. kichink.
com/stores/hilodenubeoaxaca.Lanii
Named after the Zapotec word for
“celebration of the people ,” this
boutique works with makers from
outside the city to sell handbags,
textiles, rugs, and clay pieces.
lanii.com.mx.Mezcalillera
The cheerful storefront lets you
sample mezcals from various
brands and purchase a bottle
(or six) to take home.
+011 52 (951) 514 1757.
Tienda Q
Crafted items for the home and
art installations are featured
at this multiroom shop. +011 52
(951) 514 8880.WHERE TO SLEEP
Casa Antonieta
One of the town’s oldest buildings
now serves as a charming six-
room hotel just two blocks from
the zócalo. From $103 U.S.;
casaantonieta.com.Casa Carmen
Artist Amador Montes rehabbed
two homes to create this pair of
four-room hotels, complete with
platform beds, concrete vanities,
and alfresco baths. From $135
U.S.; casacarmen.com.mx.Hotel Azul de Oaxaca
One of Oaxaca’s first contempo-
rary design hotels features a foun-
tain installation by painter and
sculptor Francisco Toledo, a roof-
top bar overlooking downtown ,
and a patio landscaped with cac-
tus native to the region. From
$190 U.S.; hotelazuloaxaca.com.Hotel Los Amantes
Find jacuzzi rooms, rentable
cruiser bikes , and a rooftop res-
taurant and bar at this boutique
stay from the owners of the
mezcalería. From $209 U.S.;
hotellosamantes.com.Mezcalogia
A tiny, dimly lit bar dreams up
unusual mezcal cocktails like the
Leche de Burro , made with cur-
dled milk, and the Oaxacahuate,
made with spicy peanut syrup.
facebook.com/mezcalogiaoficial.Mezcaloteca
This by-appointment-only “mezcal
library” treats the spirit like a fine
cognac—something to be savored.
+011 52 (951) 514 0082.
Origen
Winner of Top Chef Mexico 2016,
Rodolfo Castellanos does a con-
temporary deep dive into the cui-
sine of various regions of the state
at Origen, which opened in 2011.
origenoaxaca.com.Sabina Sabe
Find inventive cocktails made with
rare spirits like Oaxacan whiskey,
mezcal gin, and licor de pasita,
plus small plates and a lot of
atmosphere. facebook.com/
sabinasabeoaxaca.WHAT TO DO
Experience Mezcal
Guide Darinel Silva leads savvy
day tours of Oaxaca distilleries.
$200 U.S./person for full-day trip;
experiencemezcal.com.
Museo de Arte Contempo-
rá neo de Oaxaca (MACO)
Oaxaca’s contemporary art muse-
um presents work by top Mexican
and international artists, from
Cindy Sherman to Jaime Ruiz Otis.
museomaco.org.Casa Estambul
Located in El Centro Histórico,
this hot spot comes alive at night
with art, music, and mezcal. Or-
der an Aperol spritz made with
the agave spirit. facebook.com/
casaestambul.
Criollo
The two-year-old dining room
from rock-star chefs Enrique
Olvera and Luis Arellano show-
cases seasonal local ingredients
in a tasting menu of contempo-
rary Mexican food that changes
daily. criollo.mx.
El Destilado
With chef Julio Aguilera at the
kitchen’s helm, El Destilado
features multicourse menus of
cheffy dishes (like quail with gra-
nola and smoked crema) paired
with Mexican wines (including
sake), uncertified small-batch mez-
cal , and more. eldestilado.com.
El Lechon cito de Oro
Nothing caps off a spirit-filled
night better than carnitas tacos
topped with crunchy chicharrón
and spicy salsa from this truck.
Calle de Los Libres and Murguía.
El Tendajón Agavería
The perfect spot for an afternoon
snack with local beers, mezcal
cocktails, and pulque.
+011 52 (951) 285 6299.
La Mezcalerita
Sip local mezcal, craft beer, and
fresh, effervescent pulque on the
rooftop garden terrace at this
tucked-away bar just north of
the church. facebook.com/
lamezcalerita.
DIGITAL BONUS
Experience more of
Oaxaca’s vibrant scenery
at sunset.com/oaxacavideo.