Sor Juana, a woman-owned botanería where every drink arrives with free botanas, has quietly set up shop on the fringes of downtown Dallas in a restored 1920s Venetian-Gothic showroom. Co-owners Alexandra Hernandez and Karla Soria say they built the spot to function as an inclusive third place, inviting neighbors, artists, and downtown workers to linger over small plates and low-ABV cocktails.
Where It Is And When
The team lists Sor Juana's address as 1908 Canton St. and flags the bar as "now open" on its official site. Posted hours show evening service Wednesday-Thursday, with extended hours from Friday through Sunday, and the site includes a phone number for walk-ins and event inquiries, per Sor Juana.
Botanas, Low-ABV Cocktails And The Menu
The menu leans into shareable botanas, with signature plates like macha cambray, roasted potatoes with house-made salsa macha, and beef tablitas served alongside quesadillas. At the bar, Mexican spins on classics take center stage, including an "El Bombon Asesino" and a Vesper built with Condesa gin. Drinks are intentionally lower in alcohol so guests can settle in for multiple rounds and keep the botanas flowing, as reported by Dallas Observer.
The Space And Its History
Sor Juana fills the former J. Desco & Son showroom, part of the downtown historic district, and much of the original tile, along with a fountain and fireplace, survived the build-out. The Dallas Morning News notes that the design keeps the building's historic character in play while layering in folk-art objects and personal tchotchkes from the owners.
A Room For Art And Community
Two former office spaces at the back have been stitched together into a slightly hidden dining room meant for art exhibits, music classes, and "pláticas." That room currently features work by Dallas artist Joy Reyes, according to the Dallas Observer. Outside, the building's facade carries an image of Sor Juana painted by muralist Janin Nuz, tying the project back to the 17th-century poet and educator who inspired its name.
Why The Name Matters
The name honors Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the 17th-century Mexican poet and nun who advocated for women's access to education, and the owners frame the cantina concept as a deliberate reclamation of a space that was historically closed to women. As The Dallas Morning News reports, Hernandez and Soria, who met in an Aztec dance group, hope the botanería feels like home for Latino communities and downtown workers alike.
Practical Details
According to its site, Sor Juana keeps hours of Wednesday-Thursday 5-10 p.m., Friday 5 p.m.-midnight, Saturday noon-midnight, and Sunday noon-10 p.m., and lists contact information for questions and bookings. The restaurant encourages walk-ins and community rentals for the adjoining room, per Sor Juana. For the latest menus and event listings, the owners direct guests to the official site.
