El Manglar

El Manglar is a compact cantina with a roof terrace over the colonial rooftops of Morelia's Centro Histórico in Michoacán, a couple of doors down from the city's main mezcal-bar strip. The crowd is young and informal, dressed casually, and the atmosphere is loud and social rather than intimate. There is no live music or DJ set; recorded background music plays at a conversational volume that still allows the rooftop views to do most of the work. The drinks programme centres on cheap beer, strong micheladas, mezcal and a general beer-and-spirits focus rather than crafted cocktails, keeping prices among the lowest of the centro's rooftop venues. Opening hours run evenings only, generally Wednesday through Saturday from around 7PM until late; it does not open Sunday through Tuesday. There is no cover charge and no reservation system in place, so seating on the terrace is first-come, first-served, and the small space fills quickly once the evening gets going. Bottle service is not offered. The venue works best as an early-to-mid-evening stop, especially around sunset when the rooftop light and views over the historic centre are at their best, before the later, busier crowd arrives on Friday and Saturday nights.