Must-see nightlife in Western Central Highlands

  • La Mutualista

    Guadalajara

    With smoke-yellowed walls and antique chandeliers dangling from high ceilings, this vintage dance hall simmers with the decaying glamour of Old Havana…

  • Cantina La Fuente

    Guadalajara

    La Fuente, set in the old Edison boiler room, is an institution in Guadalajara and a perfect example of what a proper Mexican cantina is (ie rough around…

  • Kin Kin

    Guadalajara

    Hidden in a underground setting with exposed brick walls and disco balls, the red-lit Kin Kin is the place to groove out to electronica and house. Local…

  • Centro Cultural Breton

    Guadalajara

    Tucked away on a side street on the eastern side of the Centro Histórico is this bohemian bar, cafe and live-music venue. One of the city’s coolest…

  • Grillo

    Guadalajara

    This small but mighty bar stocks over 50 (mainly bottled) Mexican craft beers. Of interest are the Guadalajara-brewed Diógenes IPA and the Loba Negra…

  • Con La Rojas Pop

    Morelia

    A hopping gay bar in a beautifully converted colonial building, Rojas Morelia Pop is one of the hottest spots in town. Cozy seating, chandeliers and a lit…

  • Romea

    Guadalajara

    This swank corner wine bar with large windows stocks a wide range of Mexican vintages as well as wine from Spain, France, Portugal and even Slovenia…

  • La Taberna de Caudillos

    Guadalajara

    A popular multistory disco, with three dance floors and endless lounges and bars full of gorgeous young things dancing and various acts on stage (from go…

  • Café La Yerbabuena

    Western Central Highlands

    While hiking up to as close as you are going to get to the summit of Volcán de Fuego, you might stop at 1500m at this rustic cafe in a working coffee…

  • La Cata

    Guadalajara Region

    This wonderful upstairs bar and tequila-tasting room in the center of town has excellent cócteles artesanales (craft cocktails) and flights of three…

  • Escarabajo Scratch

    Guadalajara

    This fun hipster bar in the Centro Histórico has elevated the michelada (a concoction of beer, lime juice and assorted sauces) to a fine art,…

  • Amargo

    Guadalajara

    A laid back, modern beer hall pouring Mexican craft brews – sours to stouts from 14 lines – with flights offered for M$60. A full line-up of bottled…

  • Terraza Trapiche

    Western Central Highlands

    Perched on the top floor of Colima's landmark Hotel Ceballos, Trapiche is one of several outlets of a local craft beer brewery but this one has by far the…

  • Café Grano

    Guadalajara Region

    This thoroughly pleasant local cafe is everything a good coffee bar should be, with fine aromas, Mexican beans, wooden chairs tailored in coffee sacking…

  • Los 50s Bar

    Morelia

    Rock belts out of a handful of clubs on and around Av Madero Poniente after 10pm, but this is one of the best. Expect young, moody student bands…

  • Tatita Mezcalería

    Morelia

    A gorgeous mezcalería (mezcal bar) housed in a beautifully converted old villa just by the Fuente Las Tarascas, Tatita gets it all right, with superb…

  • California’s Bar

    Guadalajara

    A two-story gay bar that's popular with a diverse 20- and 30-something crowd usually OFB (out for business). It gets packed around 10pm, and Friday and…

  • Pigalle

    Guadalajara

    Mexican baristas excel at making cocktails (from M$85), both the savory and sweet type, and Pigalle is yet another cut above. Come here to relax, sip some…

  • Bar Américas

    Guadalajara

    A longtime night club catering to the well-heeled, Bar Américas is best known as an after-party spot with its dance floors packed til dawn. The all-black…

  • El Manglar

    Morelia

    A small cantina with a great rooftop and a hipster vibe, come here for Mexican craft beers and cheap cocktails. A limited menu of finger foods – tacos,…

  • Cafe Europa

    Morelia

    Part of a chain of local cafes, this tiny place would be easy to miss were it not for the aroma of roasting coffee beans, sourced from four different…

  • La Santa

    Guadalajara

    Not to be confused with the (now closed) bar of the same name that once rocked Chapultepec, this place is out in Zapopan and is a full-blown nightclub –…

  • El Cardenal

    Guadalajara

    A dark, artsy dive bar decked out in murals of all kinds, El Cardenal is a popular spot for the 20-something crowd or those with a penchant for piercings…

  • Just Chillin'

    Guadalajara Region

    Belly up to this fine knotted-wood bar to sip beer, watch a ball game or chat with quirky resident expats. It’s American-owned and serves a damn good…

  • La Villa

    Guadalajara Region

    This cafe-bar under the portal of the southeast corner of the main square is a delightful place to relax and sip something cool.

  • Sense Club

    Morelia

    On the hillside about 4km south of town, Morelia’s hottest club thumps, bumps and grinds to house and pop tunes. Designed to look like an actual hotel,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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 Larabica

    Western Central Highlands

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

  • Babel Club

    Guadalajara

    Massive meat market, with skimpily clad dancers center stage and action in every direction. VIP booths for your men about town.