Pulqueria Las Duelistas

Pulqueria Las Duelistas has poured pulque from the same Aranda 28 address for over 110 years. The room is long and narrow, with a tiled bar counter running most of its length and murals by urban artists covering every available wall. Natural light filters in from the street-facing windows, and the overall effect is bright and welcoming rather than dark and dive-like. It feels like a place that's been loved by many hands over the decades.

The crowd is a genuine cross-section: older regulars who've been drinking here for years sit alongside students and visitors drawn by the venue's reputation. Pulque is the only game, served plain or in curados flavoured with fruit, nuts, or other ingredients. The bartenders pour generously and know the menu inside out. On select evenings, traditional musicians play, but most nights the soundtrack is just conversation and laughter bouncing off the tiled walls.

Las Duelistas stands apart from the newer pulquerias that have opened across Mexico City in recent years. Those places often treat pulque as a novelty; here it's the foundation. The drink is made fresh, the varieties rotate, and the pricing stays remarkably low. Owner Arturo Garrido's revitalization kept the bones of the original space intact while adding the mural art that gives the room its current character.

Try a curado before committing to a full glass since pulque is an acquired taste for many. The mango and pine nut flavours tend to be the most approachable. Cash is useful, though cards are accepted. Afternoons are the best time for a relaxed visit; weekend evenings can get crowded. The neighbourhood deserves awareness, particularly after dark.