Music entertainment in Mexico
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Ego
On the hillside 3km south of town, Morelia’s hottest club thumps, bumps and grinds to house and electronica tunes. Dress code is casual. The crowd is young and pretty and they don’t stop dancing till they have to.
reviewed
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A
La Chiva
A tiny boho stronghold very popular for its alternative (electronica, hip-hop and rock)tunes.
reviewed
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B
BarRio
Located in the basement of an old, abandoned waterworks, this club is the perfect blend of sleek and comfortable and offers the best night out in Uruapan. There’s a large dance floor packed with an exuberant, sexy crowd of 20-somethings, old stone walls that drip with river water, huge exposed pumps, wheels, belts and pipes overhead and a global progressive soundtrack (although musical style and DJs rotate nightly). Service is brilliant. It’ll keep you drinking.
reviewed
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C
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).
reviewed
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D
Akbal Lounge
Enter this opium den–style mélange of red velvet, chandeliers and giant antique mirrors through La Casa de Maíz. Sip a cocktail and lose yourself in the mood music – ambient and lounge sounds during the week, revving up to sexy electro and deep house at weekends – or stargaze on the groovy deck. Sunday night is gay night, but every night is gay friendly.
reviewed
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E
Palladium
Hailed by many as the best disco in town, Palladium attracts a 20- to 30-something crowd with its fabulous views from floor-to-ceiling windows. DJs pump out hip-hop, house, trance and techno from an ultraluxe sound system. Around 3am the famous ‘Silver Aztec’ entertains the screaming crowd with fire and dance. Dress up, and expect to wait in line.
reviewed
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F
Dady’O
Opposite the Forum Mall, this is one of Cancún’s more elaborate dance clubs. The setting is a five-level black-walled faux cave with a two-level dance floor and what seem like zillions of laser beams and strobes. The predominant beats are Latin, house, techno, trance and hip-hop, and the crowd is mainly 20-something.
reviewed
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G
Sala Carlos Chávez
Named after the famous 20th-century Mexican composer, this small sala with seating for just 165 (and designed so no big hairdos can obstruct the view of the stage), is the ideal intimate space for enjoying chamber music (for which Chávez was particularly famed) and soloists (including classical guitarists).
reviewed
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H
La Embajada
One of a trio of interconnecting bars in a corner building known as La Casa de los Perros (House of the Dogs), La Embajada is popular with a student and international crowd for its rock music, magazine-montage decor and drinks from tea, coffee and chocolate to beer, mezcal and wine.
reviewed
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Live
Just west of the Holiday Inn, you'll find the locals dancing on the seats of this pulsing, packed nightclub. DJs spin a blend of pop, rock and electronica, and there's usually a band playing in the wee margarita-soaked hours. Men cough up around $120 cover on Fridays and Saturdays.
reviewed
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I
Bar Milán
Tucked away on a quiet backstreet, this cavelike hang-out overflows most weekends with a mixed-nationality crowd. Purchase drink tickets (milagros), then make your way over to the cactus-trimmed bar. The soundtrack ranges from classic rock to Café Tacuba.
reviewed
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J
Akqua
Pátzcuaro's newest bar-lounge attempts to blend modern electronica vibrations into the ancient soul of this quiet town. Brand new at the time of research, it wasn't crowded. But the old stone courtyard is a great location and it should find its groove.
reviewed
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K
La Crema
Spacious but dark, this quirky, rock-themed den boasts loud tunes, the best cocktail list in town and delicious wood-oven pizza. The hard-partying university students knock ’em back while eyeing the action from a perch overlooking the Plaza Principal.
reviewed
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Bypass
A retro lounge-bar with a futuristic aura, they play electronica and house music from the '80s and '90s. A well between the two levels lets you spy on everyone shakin' it. Located between the parking garage and Sanborns at the Plaza Cristal mall.
reviewed
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L
Casa Babylon
This cool little travelers’ bar has a great Mexican mask collection and a big selection of books to exchange. It has live music or a DJ several nights a week. The owner prides herself on her mojitos and caipirinhas.
reviewed
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M
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.
reviewed
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N
Barfly
Stained glass lamps light the bar and a graffiti-style mural splashes across the wall in this dark and funky club. It's a popular space for local musicians, with electronica on Saturdays and reggae, funk and salsa bands otherwise.
reviewed
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O
Las Barricas
This Jarocho-recommended live-music venue and club plays a variety of music: reggeton, salsa, pop, rock etc. It’s on the small side, so expect to be packed in with the raucous, jovial crowd, especially on weekends.
reviewed
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P
Café La Galería
A hip, lively and friendly bar, La Galería showcases local house and dance-DJ talent. It's close to the heart of the weekend action in Monterrey, but attracts a slightly more mature crowd than many of the other venues.
reviewed
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Q
Mina Club
Strike it lucky in this unique nightclub – the tunnel of the Mina El Edén. A mix of electronic music and Spanish pop is the soundtrack to the essential Zacatecas nightlife experience. Dig in by 10pm to avoid missing out.
reviewed
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R
Hard Rock Live
Occupying a superb old Polanco mansion near the Auditorio Nacional, this branch of the international club hosts the cream of rock en español, with groups like La Cuca, the Nortec Collective and Molotov on stage.
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Papas & Beer
Notoriously crazy Papas & Beer caters mostly to rowdy college students, and a small army of bouncers keeps things under control. Roaring music - sometimes live, sometimes spun - means dancing tops conversation.
reviewed
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Multiforo Alicia
Behind the graffiti-scrawled facade is Mexico City’s premier rock club. A suitably smoky, seatless space, the Alicia stages up-and-coming punk, surf and ska bands, who hawk their music at the store downstairs.
reviewed
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La Boom
La Boom has in its purchase a varied and (relative to neighbouring clubs, that is) sophisticated selection of danceable tunes on high rotation, all played to full effect at mega decibels. Loud and cool.
reviewed
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U
Café Iguana
The epicenter of alternative Monterrey, where the pierced, multi-tattooed, punk-loving tribe gathers en masse, both inside and on the street out front. Cover charge only for live bands.
reviewed
