Not long ago, Latin cocktail options in the city were limited to margaritas on the rocks or, heaven forbid, poured from a blender. But with drinkers recently schooled in the mojito, we’re now finding Peruvian pisco sours at restaurants, the beer-based michelada from Mexico as a daytime pick-me-up, and the Brazilian caipirinha so prevalent it’s being mixed at dance clubs.

Perhaps the best place to experience some very-south-of-the-border drinking is at Cantina. This new Union Square hangout offers an unrivaled collection of Latin American spirits, including one of the largest selections of cachaça (the base of those ubiquitous caipirinhas) in the city. But Cantina isn’t afraid to buck tradition: Latin American cocktails also get an international makeover, with ginger beer fizzing up pisco punch and applejack fortifying sangria. The regulars may be barhopping singles, but Cantina’s atmosphere is more breezy happy hour than lascivious meat market—you won’t see patrons doing body shots of tequila off their neighbors. The space is designed to foster bonhomie with group seating and drinks by the pitcher meant for sharing—all without the teeth-grinding whir of a blender.

Cantina 8:12 p.m.
THE CROWD
A mishmash of downtown worker bees, hip restaurant industry employees, and the occasional theatergoer.
THE LOOK
Somewhere between casual Friday and a Saturday house party.
HANGING OUT
The rotating collection of paintings showcases local artists.
THE SOUND
DJs provide up-tempo beats mercifully free of tacky cruise ship standards like “Margaritaville” and “Kokomo.”
OVERHEARD
“You don’t go into a steakhouse and ask for tofu!” (Bartender to patrons requesting a Sex on the Beach)
THE TIMING
The party often peaks just before midnight, allowing for a great night out plus a good night’s sleep.
580 Sutter St., S.F., 415-398-0195.

Elsewhere
Mangarosa in North Beach pairs a sizeable Brazilian drink menu with Italian Brazilian food and hot samba dancers who perform every Thursday night. 1548 Stockton St., S.F., 415-956-3211.

Though only serving cocktails from its namesake country, Embarcadero-adjacent Mexico D.F. muddles everything from fresh raspberries to grapefruit in mojitos and margaritas. 139 Steuart St., S.F., 415-808-1048.

With pisco drinks from Peru, a range of caipirinhas, and Mexican classics, Destino was rocking Latin cocktails long before they were hip. 1815 Market St., S.F., 415-552-4451.