Tequila and Mariachi Night Tour in Mexico City

Discover the history behind Mexico’s favorite merry-making pastimes

$214 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Duration: 2.5 hours
Location: Mexico City

Photos & Highlights

Take a relaxed, yet academic look at and taste of tequila and mezcal
Learn about mariachi music and other popular genres from around the country
Garibaldi Square & Tequila Museum

Tour Description

The terms tequila and mariachi have become synonymous with the image of Mexico itself, but what’s really behind the formation of these famous art forms and how did they become so globally familiar?

Tequila and Mariachi Night Tour in Mexico City

On this authentic 2.5-hour Mexican music and drink tour with an expert guide, we dive deep into the origins of Mexico’s most famous expressions of merry-making: mariachi and tequila. But we also look beyond these icons to discover what else this diverse country hears and tastes. We’ll walk around Mexico City’s legendary Garibaldi Square as we discuss the mariachi greats and then tour the Tequila Museum, ending with a sunset tasting of tequila and mezcal on its rooftop restaurant. This is an off-the-beaten-path experience that is best done with an expert who knows the area.

Garibaldi Square at Night

We’ll begin our investigation with a discussion of the history of Garibaldi Square, also known as "Mariachi Square" for its dozens of wandering bands for hire who inhabit the plaza daily. The square itself was renamed in 1921 after José Garibaldi (grandson of the famous Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Garibaldi), who fought during the Mexican Revolution. We’ll take a few minutes to stroll the mariachi musicians hall of fame to discuss greats such as Pedro Infante and Juan Gabriel before sitting down in an authentic pulqueria, where we’ll taste tequila’s little-known cousin pulque, also made of agave but fermented rather than distilled, and hear the fascinating story behind its fall from fame and recent rebirth in popularity. We may also have a chance to hear live regional music from other areas of Mexico such as Son Jarocho from Veracruz or Corridos from the north and compare them with typical mariachi rhythms dominating the square.

Tequila, Mezcal and Mariachi Tour

Now having gained a context of other popular music and drinks of Mexico, we’ll turn our attention to tequila, mezcal, and mariachi itself as we explore the Tequila Museum. On the museum's second floor we’ll dive into the details of agave and maguey farming, harvesting, distilling into alcohol and distribution. Then we’ll learn more about the history of mariachi music from its origins in Jalisco to its popularity throughout the country and finally the world. At the rooftop restaurant we’ll taste tequila and mezcal side by side, to compare the drinks’ similarities and points of distinctions firsthand.

Want to taste more of Mexico’s cuisine? Try our new Roma Food Tour.

Take Aways

By the end of our time with our expert guide, we’ll have a better understanding of not just the famous traditions of tequila, mezcal, and mariachi music, but an underlying context of their histories and sister art forms that help us formulate a fuller picture of the Mexican people and their culture.

FAQ

What is included in the tour?

You'll notice there is a 160 MXN fee per person added to your cart during checkout. This covers the cost of your entry tickets to the museum, a drink and snack around the square, and a few songs from live musicians playing at your table.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Julio

Born and raised in Mexico City, Julio Pastor is a proud pedestrian of his native city. He completed a BA in Fine Arts at UNAM. In 2008, he moved to the Netherlands where he completed his MFA, specializing in the Urban Landscape. After seven years, he returned to Mexico and turned the focus of his art production to the city that he roams every day. His art production is thoroughly inspired on what he encounters during his everyday walks, but also by a great deal of reading on topics related to architecture and urbanism. When not working at his art practice, Julio can be found teaching undergraduate drawing courses in the architecture department at the Universidad Iberoamericana, or enjoying the city with his wife and two children.

Gustavo

Gustavo spends more hours and days per week in the historic center than in any other place, either taking photos, planning and producing cultural activities or just walking around, searching for the best place to relax and have a drink. With an academic formation in the Arts (BFA and MFA, UNAM) he has been able to develop a creative and particular approach to the city. In addition, his passions include music, food and drink and are creative outlets for alternative research and experimentation. Gustavo plays frequently as a DJ in various venues all over Mexico City, and as a food & drink lover, he is currently involved in the creation of his own locally crafted gin brand.

3 Reviews – (4.47)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Gustavo is very personable and knowledgeable, especially about distilling alcohol. We learned a lot about Mexican alcoholic beverages and mariachis. It was an entertaining evening. However the tour could benefit from better organization, such as a description at the outset of where we would go and why. It was a little hard to follow.

Lora

Feb. 16, 2022

Our Mariachi and Mexcal night was fantastico! Julio's history with Pulque and the spirits of Mexico and the history of mariachi music was eye-opening and gave us an appreciation and understanding of the history of Mexico that is much more nuanced and broader than what you can learn from history books and museums. The tequila and mezcal tastings were also fascinating and definitely warmed the heart and soul on a rainy night in Mexico City. We will be back to the Plaza Garibaldi when we come back to the city to listen to the mariachis and the corridos of the Nortenos in the Plaza!

Sarretta

Oct. 24, 2021

Wonderful tour. Gustavo was perfect. We had a long day and were dragging by the time we got to this evening tour. He made it really fun and went out of his way to help us with things we were interested in. Highly recommend.

Emily

Jun. 5, 2021

Tequila and Mariachi Night Tour in Mexico City

Participants

Tequila and Mariachi Night Tour in Mexico City

Garibaldi Square at Night

Tequila, Mezcal and Mariachi Tour