Must-see nightlife in Mexico

  • Mexicano

    Centro Histórico

    This popular mezcal joint on the Regina student-filled bar strip is a hangover waiting to happen. In addition to mezcal, Mexicano makes it own microbrew…

  • Bar Berta

    Taxco

    A clientele of local roughs knock back stiff drinks in this kitsch-chic bar, which displays memorabilia harking back to when it opened in 1930. Upstairs,…

  • Barbarroja

    Acapulco

    Ahoy, matey! From a design shaped like the deck of a ship to women in corsair costumes dancing on tables, this over-the-top, pirate-themed pub is one of…

  • A Go Go

    Puebla

    A young crowd hangs out at this arty venue, decorated with graffiti murals and '50s wallpaper. Live bands and DJs play in the cavernous bar, while the…

  • El Café de la Mancha

    San Miguel de Allende

    Four people's a crowd in this tiny place that's just the spot for those who know you don't drink a cappuccino in the afternoon! The trained owner-barista…

  • El Grito

    San Miguel de Allende

    An oversized face above the doorway of this upscale disco surveys the fashionable young Mexican crowd queuing outside. While the club is named for Padre…

  • Bar El Calate

    East of Mexico City

    On the west side of the zócalo, this is the place to sip homemade hooch. There are 36 flavors, including liquors infused with coffee, limes, berries – you…

  • Bebotero

    Guadalajara

    This is a cool Chapultepec bar plugging cervezas artesanales (craft beer) and spirits for M$19 and M$39 respectively all day and till 8pm on Friday and…

  • Andale

    Puerto Vallarta

    Party hearty with throngs of young vacationers in this dark den of drink, sports and loud rock music even during the day. This joint has old-school dive…

  • Bar Prendes

    Veracruz City

    For a front-row seat for whatever’s happening in the zócalo on any given night, look no further than Prendes; it occupies a prize slice of real estate…

  • Clave Azul

    Guanajuato

    This artifact-filled cantina offers an authentic Mexican drinking experience with accompanying botanas (tapas-like snacks served free with drinks, in this…

  • El Patio

    Isla Mujeres

    The self-proclaimed 'house of music' has an open-air patio and rooftop terrace where you can catch mediocre rock cover bands and relatively subdued…

  • La Prisciliana

    Guadalajara

    La Prisciliana is both laid-back and stylish, with arched windows, burgundy walls, worn tile floors and an antique wood bar in an old colonial building…

  • The Big's

    Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

    Somewhere between diner, bistro and sports bar, the Big's tries to please groups with reasonably priced drinks. The eclectic food menu includes a bagan …

  • Salón Corona

    Centro Histórico

    Amiable staff serve up tarros (mugs) of light or dark cerveza de barril (draft beer) in this boisterous beer hall. It's a great place to get a taste of…

  • Velitas

    Veracruz City

    With its romantic, tiki-torch ambience, this popular little seaside palapa is a laid-back place to grab a cocktail while checking out the ocean and the…

  • Bar El Estribo

    Veracruz City

    For close on 200 years the highbrow Bar El Estribo, which is a part of the Gran Hotel Diligencia, has been keeping the good people of Veracruz lubricated…

  • Los Portales

    Valladolid

    Don't expect award-winning mixology at Los Portales, but as its name suggests, it's all about location: hard to beat the alfresco experience on the plaza…

  • Pulquería La Botijona

    Mexico City

    Possibly the cleanest pulque dispenser in town, this institutional green hall near the Xochimilco train station is a friendly, family-run establishment…

  • 7 Sins

    Guadalajara

    The favorite hangout of the younger set of Guadalajara’s gay scene, this colonial mansion has a cool staircase and ear-bleedingly loud house music, though…

  • La Panga

    Veracruz

    This bar-restaurant, literally floating on the lake with its own boardwalk, is an idyllic place to lean back, sip cerveza and grab a bite to eat while the…

  • Cafe Black & White

    Guadalajara Region

    This cafe on Ajijic's main square is gringo central – don't come here to practice your Spanish! It does serve a decent cup of java (from M$23) and it's a…

  • Si Señor

    Acapulco

    Yes, it’s cheesy and touristy. But dammit, it’s still lots of fun! Zany antics attract families by day while the party atmosphere brings in college kids…

  • Dalí Café & Bar

    Zacatecas

    This sprawling cafe-bar in front of Ex-Templo de San Agustín offers a surreal mix of furniture, cocktails and post-drink munchies (plus good hot-chocolate…

  • Revolución

    East of Mexico City

    Overlooking the zócalo this pleasantly rowdy 2nd-story sports bar has an expansive drink list, several large-screen TVs and stone walls decorated with…

  • Billy Bob's

    Central Pacific Coast

    With a sort of Texas-meets-Mexico vibe, this bar has plenty of soul and hosts a few local characters. Witticisms and worryingly named drink descriptions…

  • Café El Jarocho

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    The popular El Jarocho empire offers its famous menu options of creamy hot chocolates, iced coffee and its signature coffee blends from Veracruz. This…

  • La Terraza

    Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

    Atop the designer Hábita Hotel, this open-air roof lounge does a brisk trade in exotic martinis, with sweeping city views as a backdrop and videos…

  • Gran Café de la Parroquia

    Xalapa

    A cousin to the renowned branch in Veracruz city, the Gran Café is a fine place for a morning coffee and breakfast, but it lacks the atmosphere and sense…

  • Downtown Mexico

    Centro Histórico

    The rooftop lounge bar at boutique hotel Downtown Mexico has become a popular spot to chill over drinks. It's also been known to host the occasional pool…

  • El K-Fecito

    Veracruz

    On the joining point of the two main plazas and serving great coffee, cakes and various simple snacks, El K-Fecito is a good spot to relax and take in the…

  • Cafelix

    Todos Santos

    This arty cafe is always packed with the local expats here for great coffee and gut-busting breakfasts. On hot days, go for one of its dozen-plus frappés…

  • Café-Galería Teatro Ocampo

    Morelia

    Even if you're not here for a play, dip into Teatro Ocampo to visit this elegant 1st-floor cafe with a jazzy soundtrack and pictures of theater and cinema…

  • Café Biomaya

    Chiapas

    One of numerous good cafes on the Jardín de la Marimba, this one serves an organic, indigenous-grown brew and sports low-slung black sofas that may lead…

  • El Volado

    Isla Cozumel

    This two-story Mexican pub is a good spot to brush up on your Spanish, as locals outnumber the tourists most nights. It's a fun, even refreshing, change…

  • J&J

    Cabo San Lucas

    Buy your big puffer from the shelves of Cuban cigars then step next door for a real deal mojito served in a giant jam jar with plenty of fresh mint (but…

  • El Romántico

    Cuernavaca

    This small bar has very functional leatherette tables and isn't especially romantic. The real attraction is the very cheap beer and cocktails and jubilant…

  • Nicho Bears & Bar

    Zona Rosa & Reforma

    Popular with 30-somethings, this small Zona Rosa bear den has a slightly more mature air than many of the bars lining the raucous gay strip on nearby…

  • Café Jekemir

    Centro Histórico

    Run by a family of coffee traders from Orizaba, this popular, unassuming coffee shop on fashionable Regina prepares good Veracruz coffee and Lebanese…

  • Café Larabica

    Western Central Highlands

    Next door to the Huentli handicrafts shop, Larabica sells good lattes and cappuccinos from an open-air storefront.

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