Yermanelas

Yermanelas is a compact cocktail bar on Calle Francisco I. Madero in the Zona Centro of Aguascalientes city, on the pedestrianised stretch that carries most of the state capital's after-dark foot traffic. The room is small - a bar counter, a scatter of tables and standing space that disappears quickly - which sets the character: loud, close and conversational rather than a dance venue, though the crowd does end up dancing where it stands on the busiest nights. The regulars are largely 22 to 35, a mix of university students, young professionals and visitors staying in the Centro. Dress is casual and there is no formal door policy; the limit is capacity rather than selection, and staff simply stop admitting once the room is full.

The drinks programme is Mexican-spirit led, with mezcal at its centre alongside tequila, sotol and a short list of house cocktails built on those bases. Mezcal is generally served neat with orange and sal de gusano in the traditional manner, and cocktails typically run MXN 120 to 200, with beer around MXN 45 to 70 and mezcal pours from about MXN 100 depending on the bottle. Bar staff will usually talk through the mezcal list by region and agave, which is the most useful thing to do on a first visit. Food is limited to snacks, so most groups eat elsewhere on Madero first.

Hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 7PM to 2AM. Early evening is quiet enough for a proper drink at the counter; from about 11PM the volume rises and DJ sets take over on Friday and Saturday. There is no cover charge on standard nights, and MXN 50 to 100 for occasional ticketed DJ events. Reservations are not part of the format and there is no bottle service. The bar sits within walking distance of several other Madero venues, which makes it a common first or second stop rather than a whole night, and during the Feria de San Marcos in April it stays busy from opening.