If you visit Oaxaca and want a standout cocktail bar, Selva is a must. It might not be all over TikTok, but after spending a week exploring the city, this was the place I kept coming back to. The staff is effortlessly cool and welcoming, and the space itself is clean with plenty of seating. An absolute must! read more

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Stay away- they don't deserve your money. The owner shushed our friend who was taking a picture of our group- and the owner snobby WHITE lady said rudely to her- "this is not a public place, Keep it down!" My friend quickly said okay not understanding what had just happened until it hit her that she had shushed her. We had reservations and were ready to drop a lot of money for drinks but we asked a server who that lady was and he explained that it was the owner so we got up and left! Many of us were Mexican, others American but we were not about to be support such a place and be treated like that. Super super rude! The servers were nice and respectful though. So- again- don't come here. We weren't even loud but apparently the owner wants a library type of place- lame. read more

I am extremely disappointed with the way we were treated at Selva Bar. We traveled to Oaxaca to celebrate my 50th birthday and made reservations in advance as smaller groups of 4-6 people, even though we were ultimately a larger group of 22 celebrating together. From the moment we arrived, the owner was snotty, dismissive, and completely disrespectful. She immediately assumed that because we were a larger group, we would be unruly -- which was absolutely not the case. We are a group of adults celebrating a milestone birthday, and we expected to be treated with basic courtesy. I wasn't even given the opportunity to try a drink before feeling judged and unwelcome. Instead of hospitality, we were met with rudeness and hostility. There was no effort to communicate calmly or work with us despite the fact that we had planned ahead and made reservations responsibly. I have never been treated the way she treated us. It was embarrassing and disappointing, especially on such a special occasion. Unfortunately, because of this experience, I would not recommend this establishment. No one should be treated the way we were! read more

Selva was swanky and fun with gorgeous rooftop views of Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán. If you like inventive cocktails, it's a must stop for sure. The menu was cute, service was friendly, and my drink was tasty and refreshing. I ordered the blossom blush vodka cocktail, and was very happy with my choice. Prices were on the higher side for the city but worth it. read more

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This bar is so beautiful! They have two little balconies that if you're lucky to snag, over looks the mountain and church. The staff were super friendly and helpful. I basically described the type of drink I wanted and they gave me a couple of options to choose from. Everything I had was so good! I think my favorite was either this clarified passion fruit drink with mezcal or this infused palo santo drink. So good. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

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If you can get a patio seat, Selva has the best view in Oaxaca! Fortunately we got to see a parade by the window. The drinks and service at Selva was topped notch. I got a fake paloma mocktail and it was THE BEST MOCKTAIL every. The unique flavors blended so well together making the drink magical with every sip. My husband tried the Selva and a drink that paired with Oaxacan cheese. He said both drinks were blended very well. Selva will also provide nuts to much on or you can order food as well. A must go to cocktail bar in Oaxaca! read more

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THE BIG: Beautiful second story cocktail bar that has a great view of the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman. Beautiful interior, although no AC, so be warned. Street parking available, just not in the city center. THE BLACK AND WHITE: We came to Selva because it was ranked as one of the top 50 bars in North America and we happened to be in Oaxaca. So why not! We had reservations at 6pm and got a patio seat that had a beautiful view of the church. For drinks we ordered the Pasillo de humo, selva, and fake paloma (mocktail). The pasillo de humo was nice with a savory mint powder lining the rim that made each sip refreshing. Then for the Selva drink, it came with a cube of oaxacan cheese that really messed with my taste buds... in a good way. My wife said the mocktail was one of the best she ever had. We also saw a parade going on while we were drinking our drinks. What an experience. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall, we spent around 600 MXN for 3 drinks, a view, and a parade. I'd say that's money well spent. We will be back. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

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I love craft cocktails and was looking forward to visiting this bar. The service was excellent. Seating is limited and we shared a table with another party. A good number of seats were short round stools, which started getting quite uncomfortable after the first drink arrived. I tried ordering 3 cocktails from their "Labs" section of the menu, as I enjoy trying wierd, funky interesting flavors. All 3 cocktails that I request were unavailable. My friends and I tried a total of 10 cocktails. Maybe 3 of which were good. The rest were either overly sweet, gritty in texture or the flavors didn't sit quite right. I will probably not return, especially at that price point. read more

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Didn't enjoy the drinks here for as hyped up as this place is. Maybe just ordered the wrong things. Service also wasn't particularly great. However, still four stars due to a balcony table with a stunning view! read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

This was during Day of the Dead 2024. We were able to place reservations like a few days before coming. I recall hearing that Selva was one of the top 50 bars, but upon visiting in 2024, it was not on the list anymore. It was a highly recommended bar in Oaxaca though. Located at the second level, it overlooked the festivities. Because we had a large party, we were seated on the couch area (shared with another group), but if you had a pair, you might be able to sit on the balcony (only like 3 tables for it). Drinks were super fun. You have to scan for the menu. The picnic was a fun experience (and loved the accompanying pickles). The martini was good too. Overall, the vibe of the bar was trendy with many people frequenting Selva. However, one of my issues was that there seemed to be a lot of people at the bartending area... I'm assuming that the reservations were for the tables and walk-ins weren't allowed... so why were people just standing around? It kind of ruined the trendy bar vibe and made it more like a normal bar/dive bar. Might be fun for others, but not for me, especially when there are cheaper bars read more

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Really cool space, great vibes and some tables overlooking the street. The classic selva cocktail was way more herby than I expected and had a hint of licorice but cool and different. Great service and comes with some nuts to snack on. Got lucky with no wait and would try a different drink I returned. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

Very cute ambiance with a mural of a jungle serving as the backdrop. They focus mostly on cocktails and have an incredible menu with several tasty items. One thing to note is that the cocktails are meant to disguise the flavor of the alcohol (a positive thing for most, a slight negative for me ). I tried 1 martini off the menu, and the alcohol was disguised too much for my liking for a martini, though the flavor was still incredible! My favorite cocktail was the Selva (aptly named due to the green coloring and herbal exotic flavors), but after this, my bartender was happy to branch away from the menu and get creative for me to find a nice boozy cocktail. Everything he served me were hits. I went twice during my 3 night stay in Oaxaca and definitely plan to return in future visits! Oh and for food I only tried the quesadilla made with an hoja santa instead of a tortilla and it was . The goat cheese mixed with their local cheese + the uniqueness of the hoja santa made it such a fun dish to try. Great local recommendation made by my bartender, Pepe. read more

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If you enjoy a small intimate bar with really sweet cocktails this is your bar! Service was good and ambience was chill. read more

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Good cocktails, a fairly interesting menu, decent vibes, mediocre service, VERY expensive (most expensive cocktails I've seen in Oaxaca, around $230-250 pesos each. Cocktails were decent. I had the milpero (gin, chepiche, lemongrass, sake and dry vermouth) and the still a martini (mezcal, elderflower liqueur, dry vermouth). Both were okay riffs on a martini but i wouldn't say either were particularly impressive drinks especially for a place rated in the top 50 in North America. I can totally see the appeal as a pre-dinner drink before going downstairs to Los Danzantes, but there are better drinks in the area for much less and a similar vibe. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

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This place was charming and ambiant when you first walk into this dimly lit establishment. Gatsby speakeasy vibe with the decor and finishings. The people serving us drinks were extremely knowledgeable with the drinks and describes what each drinks were while serving them to us. Appreciate the lovely nuts while we drink too. They were a delight. Most of the cocktails were well thoughtout. Omakase cocktail didnt quite knock it out of the park. Didn't feel like it had meld well. We did return again on our last night here. read more

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Selva is a gorgeous little cocktail bar, cozy, stylish, and full of character. The bartenders really know their craft; they took time to explain each drink and even the garnish pairings, which made the whole experience feel elevated. I made the mistake of showing up on an empty stomach, and that's on me, but that's definitely not the move here. The food is designed as small bites to complement the cocktails, not full meals, but everything I tried paired beautifully. The tuna tostadas were a standout; super flavorful and perfectly balanced with my drink. This is the spot I'd come back to for a nightcap or date, beautiful ambiance, great music, and a refined but welcoming vibe. read more

Popped into Selva the day we arrived in Oaxaca. It was pretty exhausting but I'm glad we rallied because it was so worth it. We were in on a Monday so it wasn't too crowded. Tropical sultry is the vibe here, great lighting and decor. Lots of jewel tones and the couch-like seating options in the front right when you walk in are extremely seductive. Almost every cocktail on the menu is enticing and it was so difficult to choose. Ended up going with the passiflora, and it was great. Punchy, balanced, and simultaneously an entirely novel experience for the tastebuds. The little tray of seasoned nuts were also delicious lol I couldn't stop picking at them. I will say I had intended to at least try another but that post-travel slump really hit and sleep was calling my name. Next time I'm back in Oaxaca (because there will be a next time), I'll be back! read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

Loved this place! Warm, elegant atmosphere, friendly servers and drinks were delicious! Between 2 of us, we tried an Espresso Martini, Chefs Table, Tatami and Blossom Blush. read more

Selva - Blossom Blush and Espresso Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

This is a very moody and romantic setting; it has one relatively intimate room where we got to occupy the couch corner. The drink presentation and menu are both artistic and creative! I personally didn't *love* the drinks here and felt they were a bit too funky for my taste; regardless, I very much appreciated the kind service here. They surprised our friend with a free cocktail drink for his birthday which was very kind and thoughtful of them. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

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We came here for the cocktails and they did not disappoint. We did not have reservations, showed up around 530pm on a Saturday and were able to pick wee we wanted to sit. We were given a time limit of 90 minutes but we were consuming so we stayed a little bit longer. The vibe was chill and then it was a little bit loud due to all the people talking. I would come back for those amazing cocktails. The mixologists were very kind and helpful when recommending drinks. These are just some of the 10 drinks we had. read more

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Incredible experience at Selva - there's a reason it's earned so many accolades. Our party of two didn't have a reservation, so I expected a long wait for seats. We really only waited ten minutes for spots at the bar. The cocktails there are both familiar and experimental, and the drinks we tried were very unique. If you're visiting Oaxaca, this is a must-stop. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

After hearing that this is one of the 50 Best Bars in North America and needing a break from the heat, Jim G. and I made our way to Selva for some cocktails. Beautiful space, following the "jungle" meaning of the name, there's beautiful wallpaper along with various animal-based appointments. Nice music and friendly service rounded out our time. Interesting cocktails with some unusual ingredients. We tried the Ceci Piña Colada, Miahutlan, Morada, Nativo, Passiflora, and their namesake, Selva. Drinks ranged in price from 180p-250p. Glad we checked it out! read more

This one is for the cool kids! Swanky, hip, and a bit pretentious (not the staff but some people). The cocktails were very innovative. Nice spot to pop in before or after dinner. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

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Selva is currently listed in the top 50 bars in North America, but we did not agree with that ranking based on their current menu (which differed greatly from the menu on their website). We ordered what was essentially a tomato martini and a mezcal/ponzu drink. The martini was the better drink, although the sake made it a bit too floral. We loved the garnishing and overall it was fine. The mezcal drink, however, was a really strong miss. It was just a really poor combination of ingredients, and the drink it was presented in differed from what was shown in the menu. It also had spicy listed as one of the notes, but the drink wasn't spicy at all. The staff was friendly but very hands off. At a bar of this caliber I'd expect some kind of presentation and explanation of ingredients, but that didn't happen. We got a tin served with our drinks, and we had to ask the staff to explain what to do with it - it ended up containing chickpeas, which we were supposed to eat with the mezcal cocktail, and unfortunately was another poor pairing. The ambiance is really great, the wait was minimal, and I appreciated the risks that the menu took, but ultimately they didn't land. I'd come back if they rotated out most of their current listings. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

Outstanding creative cocktails with surprising tastes and local ingredients, great service, lovely vibe. Just go! read more

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When looking for a sophisticated cocktail bar with tropical ambiance, look no further than the ultra sultry Selva lounge. You'll walk through the door and up the stairs in the little courtyard to craft cocktail paradise. My friends deemed Selva our favorite lounge in Oaxaca. We went twice in three days (with every intention of making a third visit but time did not allow). I mean, will you just look at that enticing cocktail list? I quote, Energetic:::: A calenda of fermentation invigorating, lactic, floral. Pulquero agaves are quiet titans with an ancient power called Pulque. They must employ wordsmith deities for such bon mots! And there's no pretense. The cocktails are just as enchanting as they promise to be! My favorite was the aforementioned Energetic. The climate in Oaxaca is often warm and humid, so I didn't find myself inclined towards heavier, more potent drinks. Also, I can't imagine anything with passion fruit and St. Germaine to be anything but as they promise, "floral + fresh." I also took their advice and ordered Smooth as a nightcap. "A yellow elixir suspended between the copal smell and the elegant touch of chamomile. Relaxing meditative and smokey Relaxing / Meditative Late Night / Night Mezcal Los Danzantes Reposado infused with Chamomile Agave Honey Chile Liquor Pasilla Mixe Copal Cloud" Listen, I think I could thoroughly enjoy being in a copal cloud on the regular! So much attention goes into the aesthetics of each drink. The glasses are all unique and gorgeous as are the garnishes. Truly, works of art. Cocktails of this quality and creativity in cities like New York would be upwards of 25 dollars these days. Here, they are the equivalent of an unheard-of-ANYWHERE in the US, 8-9 dollars. I mentioned the lush atmosphere. There's tables and couches alike, inside, and in the atrium as well as the two tiny balconies. Although intimate in setting, our group of 6 seated quite comfortably. Selva is a must-visit for cocktail lovers visiting Oaxaca City! read more

Reservations needed but we got lucky and found a seat. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The drinks were good! Stayed for about an hour. Nice ambiance. read more

Don't get me wrong, the bar itself is cute. It has a bit of a great Gatsby theme. The ambiance is fine inside, however, if you're looking for stellar cocktails, this is not the place to go. My friend and I sat on the balcony- which honestly takes away from whatever the inside vibe is. You need to find a seat at the bar or indoor seating if you want to be a part of the ambiance, otherwise you're going to hear all the hustle and bustle of the street below. The menu is hard to read and overly complicated. If you want to read a novel before ordering a drink...then this is the place for you. They're trying too hard in some things but not in others, in my opinion. Once we ordered, it took them a while to bring out the drinks. They really weren't very attentive; almost like they forgot we were there. Our drinks were not good. At all. Again, they're trying too hard. My friend's drink tasted like straight up curry. Which is fine...if that's what you're into when sipping a cocktail! Mine was an avocado smoothie, pit and all. NOT what I was expecting from a highly raved about place. I would not recommend this bar to any of my friends, nor would I return. read more

Great place the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. The place is has great energy but at the same time very cozy.

When you are a top 50 bar in North America, I expect the standard to be pretty high. The location and energy were good. You could watch the Día de Los Muertos parades go by from the balcony or via the mirrors above the balcony. The service was indifferent and it was difficult to catch anyone's eye or even catch them. We had some good cocktails like the Selva and the Alfareria and some less good or as my spouse put it "bad" cocktails like the ceci n'est pas une mojito. It is worth a stop but it wasn't to the standard we expected. read more

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One of the best bars I've ever been in and I've been in them all Rick's place with the b st drinks read more

Loved the decor and the vibes totally remind me of New York City, but the drinks were meh. We had a group of 8 and it was very spacious and comfortable! read more

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Everyone was very nice, clean bar. But there wasn't a huge selection of their signature drinks. read more

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Drinks are unique with a beautiful presentation. Ambience is expertly designed and gives a high end experience with a stunning view of the streets below. read more

One of my favorite places in Oaxaca. The drinks were amazing on and off the menu. The decor is beautiful. Must go when in Oaxaca. read more

Selva - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oaxaca de Juárez, OAX

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We came upon this place looking for some cocktails to end our night. We were charmed by the cozy atmosphere, and very impressed by the outstanding drink selection. They have a creative cocktail menu, as well as a long list of other spirits. The molegroni was delicious, and showcased the flavor of the mezcal. The staff was polished, knowledgeable, and very helpful. It was a beautiful and relaxing place to enjoy some delicious drinks. We didn't try any of the food, but I hope to go back and give their dishes a shot. read more

Great cocktail bar with friendly staff and top notch flavors. Their mezcal drinks are a highlight

Really fancy place with a great mezcal collection. It's well furnished and decorated.

LOVE this place..........not so much the drinks. Have had four different cocktails because I can't tear myself away from the ambiance........didn't truly love any of them. Heavy, sweet, alcohol forward.......meh. Very sweet staff and hard working mixologists.......but still, I expected much more fromt eh drinks given the fantabulous decor! read more

Ambiance, service, and drinks were all exceptional. Every staff member I spoke with also spoke English. Really ...a great setting if you're looking for a chill vibe. Drinks were priced fair..and if you are a fan of bloody Mary's, do yourself a favor and order the Virgen De Guadalupe. It's definitely up there in terms of one of the best I've ever had -- we had to come back during our trip just to have more. read more