Mosto Tequila Bar

Mission, San Francisco –

It’s all about the blue agave at Mosto, a Mission haunt that gained instant notoriety for its 300+ tequilas, as well as its proximity to hip Mexican restaurant Tacolicious – run by the same folks – right next door.

The entire ceiling is adorned with Mason jars, some of which hold random keepsakes like notes and other tokens, while most of the lighting comes from hanging candles to create a dim ambiance that pervades the sparsely decorated space.

The night’s first couple hours are usually relaxed, as classy hipsters gather at the far end of the small bar, staring with quiet awe at the bottle selection on the wall.

Many patrons stop in while awaiting a table at Tacolicious, but the bar itself offers a small selection of botanas (appetizers) to keep hunger at bay. Couples and small groups settle in on the deep blue benches along the narrow space’s left side, wielding their plates of pork and pineapple tacos or pickled cactus slathered in cheese.

The house gets packed quickly for the rest of the evening, drawing younger connoisseurs and new-found fans eager to sip the variety of tequilas – all separated by age and region – or the handful of cocktails like Ferro's Lil' Devil (tequila and ginger beer) and the popular pair of top-shelf margaritas.

Often loud but never raging, Mosto holds the key to a tequila lover’s heart, especially those willing to try something new after all the cheap shots in college.