Entertainment in Tijuana
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A
El Taurino
On the flanks of the Zona Norte, El Taurino is the grand-daddy of Tijuana's gay bars with a much more local than foreign clientele.
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El Lugar del Nopal
This sophisticated café-bar-cum-restaurant-cum-cultural center is a fervent supporter of local artists and an enchanting place at that, especially in the garden patio. It's known as a café cultural (cultural café). These places are probably the best way to experience Tijuana's independent arts and music scenes. It's tucked away in a residential area and is a bit hard to find but well worth the effort.
It offers music and art classes, and live music Wednesday through Saturday nights. It's also a super place to eat.
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El Toreo de Tijuana
El Toreo de Tijuana. Spring bullfights take place at El Toreo, which has room for 12,000 spectators. In July or August, corridas move to the ring in Playas, which holds up to 25,000 people. This may change, as there has been talk of demolishing the Toreo de Tijuana ring, in which case all corridas will take place at Plaza de Toros Monumental.
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Balak
Masquerading as a giant Mayan temple about 10 minute's walking distance from the border, Balak is Tijuana's biggest, loudest most state-of-the-art disco, featuring international DJs, a multi-million-dollar sound system, wildly festooned performance dancers and an always-packed dance floor. Pay extra to take advantage of the barra libre (open bar).
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E
Dandy del Sur
For something more down-to-earth than many La Revo watering holes, hit this Tijuana classic. The sort of nostalgic dive that would make Tom Waits proud, it's been around since 1957, and the charreada (Mexican rodeo) photos, vinyl barstools, mixed clientele and eclectic jukebox make it one of the most interesting places downtown.
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F
Multikulti
One of Tijuana's newest entertainment-cum-cultural venues, Multikulti occupies a burned-out old theater that's been gutted and turned into a sort of urban amphitheater, showcasing music, media and cultural events. It's well worth catching an event here if you're in town at the right time. Great for punk shows.
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Blanco & Negro
Not the sort of place the tourist office will send you to, this small working-class salon social (social club) kicks out some of Tijuana's very best salsa, cumbia, merengue and other Latin grooves. It's a great place to get sweaty with the locals.
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Sótano de Rita
With its exceptionally unique (and naughtily inviting) location in a basement beside a strip club, this alt-culture venue hosts everything from movie nights and art shows to excellent live music, and the occasional 'literary café'.
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La Casa de la 9
In a funky old building surrounded by auto-repair shops, this long-standing art gallery and café hosts visual-art exhibits, live jazz, folk and various forms of Latin American music, book readings and more. It's well worth a peek.
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Tangaloo
One of the biggest discos in town, Tangaloo branches out from the standard techno-house sets with the occasional 1980s mix, and sometimes hosts live music. The place gets packed, and scantily clad stage dancers keep the pitch high.
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Club Extasis
Tijuana's biggest and some say best gay dance club - complete with male strippers and karaoke - is right on the border. It's famous for its male dancers and 'dark room' area where no lights means much more than dancing goes on.
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Caguamamas
Thursday is karaoke nights, and Friday through Sunday it hosts the somewhat legendary Amanda's Show, featuring trávesti (transvestite) performers. It's next door to Club Extasis, right near the border.
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Las Pulgas
Pop in the earplugs and grab a dance partner - Las Pulgas showcases everything from live and recorded banda (brass-band with vocals) and norteña (country style) music to cumbia and merengue.
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Plaza de Toros Monumental
Of the town's two bullrings, the larger, more spectacular venue is the Plaza de Toros Monumental. This renowned bullring by the sea in Playas de Tijuana, is only a short distance from the border fence.
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Centro Cultural Tijuana
The theater here is the city’s apex of drama, dance and musical performance, with several events scheduled each month. It sports one of the world’s largest 3D movie screens.
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El Callejón de Ambiente
Gay, straight, bi and freaky all rip up the dance floor to '80s dance tunes, electronica, synth-pop and more at this club in the Plaza Fiesta Mall. Great mix of people.
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Antigua Bodega de Papel
Another great café for hanging out on the edge and tapping the local music and arts scene, this place has a small deli and live Latin jams, trova and more.
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Trez
This ultra-swanky minimalist restaurant-bar is worth popping into just to sit on the plush, black bar stools and gaze at the décor and the people.
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Casa de la Trova
This popular venue in the Pueblo Amigo outdoor mall serves up live rock en español (Spanish-language rock) and trova.
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Los Equipales
Slightly seedy but definitely energetic, Los Equipales has two drag shows every night from Thursday through Sunday.
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The Rock
Zona Río’s old standard nightclub: look for the giant fake rock and fake petroglyphs. Way tacky, but fun.
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La Estrella
Just off La Revo, this is a great spot to sip cheap beers, dance some salsa, or belt out karaoke tunes.
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Plaza Fiesta Mall
What La Revo is to gringos, Plaza Fiesta mall is to locals. The dozen or so bars and restaurants here are great places to knock back a few tequilas and hear the local rock and DJ talent thrash (or spin) it out. It's unique because you can take your pick simply by walking door to door.
The bars include Sambuca (a Brazilian-themed place), Monte Picacho (live rock en español - Spanish-language rock - Sunday through Thursday, DJs Friday and Saturday), Callejón del Ambiente (great for '80s music and the diverse crowd), Bar Sótano Suizo, El Bunker, Indestruckt (for the industrial and garage scene) and Pancho Villas ('tequila, tacos & rock-n-roll!').
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