Colonia Juárez: Mexico City’s Neighborhood Revolution

Colonia Juárez was once the jewel in Mexico City’s crown at the end of the Porfiriato period, overflowing with palatial, French-influenced mansion houses that were eventually turned into far more marketable office buildings as the years went by. However, the neighborhood suffered its worst hit in 1985 with the catastrophic earthquake that flattened much of Mexico City.

Up until the 21st century, the only part of the Juárez neighborhood that received any attention was the Zona Rosa area, known for being populated with gay bars and great nightlife and for sitting just above the popular Roma area of the capital. Yet this is changing, as developers are now spotting the potential of Colonia Juárez, pumping investment into improving its culinary, cultural and nightlife scenes and bringing back the once-grand reputation of this area of the city.

One of the most notable aspects of the newly up-and-coming Juárez neighborhood is the wealth of art galleries that are popping up along its quaint, tree-lined streets, dotted with new builds, crumbling façades and comida corrida joints. Among the galleries to visit in the Juárez contemporary art scene are Marso and Arredondo \ Arozarena, alongside perhaps the most artistic non-art gallery in the zone, Bucardón. Hailed as the hangout to frequent if you’re interested in the creative side of Colonia Juárez, whether that includes art or hip hop, it’s a must-visit.

Marso, Berlín 37, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 6276 2275

Arredondo \ Arozarena, Praga 27, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5514 9616

Bucardón, Calle Donato Guerra 1, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5535 4783

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMhD431ARsm/?taken-at=1011165245&hl=en

Catch a show

Alongside art, Juárez also has some locations that are accomplished in providing a very different kind of entertainment, from cabaret to theater. If you’re into the performing arts then Teatro Milán is unmissable, hosting productions like Rent and other Spanish-language shows, whereas El 77 is ideal for those who like their productions a little less mainstream. Another standout venue for theatergoers in the area is El Milagro.

Teatro Milán, Calle Lucerna 64, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, Col. Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5535 4178

El 77, Abraham González 77, Juárez, Col Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico

El Milagro, Milán #18, Colonia Juárez. Mexico City, Mexico

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRUv-lRjsV2/?taken-at=896929333&hl=en

Tandor de Ali

Anyone who’s visited Mexico will know that, although spice is a crucial ingredient in their cuisine, decent curries and Indian dining are hard to come by. That’s why the presence of the fantastic and underrated Tandor de Ali in Colonia Juárez is something of a find for Indian food lovers in the area. Here you’ll find everything from chicken tikka masalas to prawn vindaloos or salmon tikkas. Our mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Tandor de Ali, Calle Lucerna 46, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5566 0458

Café La Habana

A stalwart of Colonia Juárez having first opened in 1952, Café La Habana is alleged to be the place where Che Guevara and Fidel Castro planned the Cuban Revolution and it’s definitely somewhere every history buff or literature fan should visit. It was even featured (loosely disguised as Café Quito) in Roberto Bolaños’ masterpiece The Savage Detectives. Nowadays, it’s not the kind of place you can imagine revolutionary acts taking place, instead being rather grand and generally on the pricier end of typical Mexico City cafés.

Café La Habana, Calle Morelos 62, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5535 2620

Lucerna Comedor

Named for the street on which it sits, Lucerna Comedor is both bar and restaurant, although if you’re looking for a sit-down meal then this is not the place to go. Decorated with vibrant pops of street art, Lucerna Comedor accurately reflects the shifting mood in the neighborhood, marking its switch from old fashioned to youthful and lively. Not as pricey as its nearby Roma counterparts, this impressive open-air spot is one destination that lives up to the hype.

Lucerna Comedor, Calle Lucerna 51, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5535 8665

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQQ36V8gya0/?taken-at=956339861&hl=en

Speakeasies

For whatever reason, Colonia Juárez is positively full of speakeasies, some of which remain a little more secret than others but all of which retain the “let the good times flow” attitude of the original speakeasies. You can take your pick from Xaman, which has some great live DJ sets and a minimalist feel, or try your luck at Hanky Panky, the newest Mexico City speakeasy on the scene and the one with the most underground reputation and a rotating cocktail menu. Alternatively, Parker & Lenox is one speakeasy that stays true to the 20s’ theme with its Art Deco interior.

Xaman, Copenhague 6, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 2196 1356

Hanky Panky, Londres, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 9155 0958

Parker & Lenox, Calle Milán 14, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5546 6979

https://www.instagram.com/p/BM5qVKwhf6i/?taken-at=1025275085&hl=en

Salon Niza

This is another option for the history fans, as Salon Niza is one of the city’s most classic and established cantinas. Serving up both food and drinks, it retains the air of 20s Mexico City while still managing to compete with the fresher faces on the neighborhood’s nightlife scene, like the quirky El Scary Witches. Excellent if you want a laidback insight into the traditional Mexican drinking scene.

Salon Niza, Calle Niza 259, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5514 4671

El Scary Witches, Oslo 3, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5512 6919

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNNfgDFhpKb/?taken-at=360833523&hl=en

Bar Milan

As with most capitals, Mexico City is now awash with all manner of cocktail bars putting their unique twist on the trend. But one bar was doing that before everyone else: Bar Milan. Here you can find the same great atmosphere that has pervaded the place since it opened its doors in 1992, as well as a whole host of fantastic cocktails that will have you wondering why you didn’t visit sooner.

Bar Milan, Milan 18, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 5592 0031

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRi87IqlU2W/?taken-at=1750802&hl=en