Another 24 hours in San Miguel de Allende and I remain thoroughly charmed. I’m sure some folks would find this place too touristy and I’m sure I would find those folks exhausting. I’m coming to terms that my perfect places are urban and small scale: narrow streets, tiny shops, bars and cafes with a few stools. 

I don’t claim much authority here, but I’ve had a few drinks in quite a few places, so I’ll nominate SMA’s Bekeb as the greatest cocktail bar in the world. We have suffered much in the 2 decades of the “craft cocktail revival”: signature drinks at the Cheesecake Factory and lectures from waxed-moustache 22 year olds about Prohibition-era barware (all those guys are now 37 and into Tiki or Mezcal now).*

BUT. This whole business allowed for places like Bekeb to flourish. Drinks are insane and the view (below) is beyond insane. Attention is paid to every detail, from staff to food to music…and of course, the cocktails (and mocktails.) If you are ever in this part of the world, just go. If you’ve been to a better bar, send me the address.

*I’m 40 now and very much into Tiki and Mezcal. I just try to keep the lectures to myself.