Cantina Rosa
Cocktail bar · Hyde Park ·
Tropical cocktail bar with agave spirits & eclectic drinks
Tropical cocktail bar with agave spirits & eclectic drinks
"After bolstering Hyde Park’s dining landscape with Virtue and Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern , Erick Williams turned his attention to cocktails with the opening of Cantina Rosa . The bar is both a love letter to family — named for Williams’ grandmother, Rose — and a celebration of his staff’s heritage, many of whom have roots in Mexico. In the dim, cozy space, agave and sugarcane spirits lay the foundation for tropical cocktails that captivate from the first sip. A house favorite, the Jushu balances smoky mezcal with acacia honey, lime, and mango for a drink that’s equal parts refreshing and comforting. The Desert Spoon Swizzle pairs sotol — a cousin of tequila and mezcal — with rum, sorrel, lime, and mint, delivering a bright, herbal kick, while frozen drink lovers can cool off with the guava colada. The food menu may be small, but it’s thoughtfully composed, with mushroom-stuffed empanadas and chicken tinga tostadas making ideal companions to the beverages. More than a cocktail destination, Cantina Rosa offers a vibrant escape from city life, where every sip feels like its own small adventure." - Jeffy Mai
"Opened in 2024, this Hyde Park cocktail bar focuses on Mexican spirits—tequila and mezcal alongside rum and gin—to build easy-sipping tropical drinks that suit a low-key date night or a quick escape. The Jushu, a mezcal-based riff on the Bee’s Knees, is tart and crushable, with acacia honey balancing the smoky agave spirit. The Manta Ray is refreshing yet spirit-forward; the gin and bacanora come through clearly while jalapeño adds a subtle bite. There’s just one frozen cocktail, a transportive guava colada served in a cantarito mug that evokes the feeling of laying on a beach with a drink in hand. To snack, crisp empanadas de hongo are packed with mushrooms and black beans; a drizzle of green salsa adds heat and the tangy onion-habanero slaw provides bright contrast. Despite the tropical lean, the room avoids tiki kitsch, favoring moody lighting, intimate booths tucked into alcoves, and a fabric-draped ceiling for a warm, inviting atmosphere. Note that the food menu is small and the most filling items—quesabirria and a torta—are only available during happy hour (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and all day Sunday)." - Jeffy Mai
"A few steps away from James Beard Award-winning chef Erick Williams’ restaurant Virtue and more casual New Orleans-inspired Daisy’s Po-Boy & Tavern, Cantina Rosa continues his passionate work to shine the light on Hyde Park. Williams’ intimate lounge heads to Mexico for its drink and food menu. Stop by for happy hour 5-7 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. on Sunday for $10 select cocktails, and half off wine and beer. Pair those with $4 chicken tinga tostada, $7 lamb-filled quesabirria, and $11 chorizo and bean pambazo." - Lisa Shames
"Opened by a James Beard Award–winning chef as a cocktail lounge that honors Mexican spirits and family matriarchs, this spot pairs mesquite-style woodwork, monstera-leaf decor, and hand-stitched embroidery with blackened windows that invite a fully immersive experience. The bar program leans into lesser-known agave spirits—think small-batch fire-roasted raicilla and bacanora—alongside rare tequilas and mezcals, while the food menu offers comforting small bites like melty chicken and tomatillo salsa tamales and a sea bass ceviche with habanero slivers set atop a velvety leche de tigre." - ByKristin Braswell
"Erick Williams’ team at Virtue has dove into Latin America for inspiration in opening a bar around the corner. Cantina Rosa is a dimly lit bar with a good variety of agave cocktails. Ask one of the talented bartenders to mix up a margarita based on your preferences." - Sam Nelson