Entertainment in Mexico
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A
Café Central
The social hub of Oaxaca’s artsy, bohemian, alternative scene, the Café (or Bar or Colectivo) Central is owned by one of Oaxaca’s innovative painters, Guillermo Olguín. It hosts rarely seen live-music acts (often on Thursday), dance and independent films, and uses its wall space as an alternative gallery for celebrated and unheard-of artists. On Friday and Saturday it leans toward being a nightclub with an unpredictable, eclectic music mix. There are cover charges for a few events.
reviewed
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Love
Socialites line up for Love, upstairs from the fusion restaurant Ixchel, in a typically ornate Colonia Roma mansion. You’re unlikely to get in without reservations, and even then it’ll depend on your looks. Once inside the velvet-draped lounge, order an apple martini and party like it’s 1983 – the DJ will help you remember what that was like.
reviewed
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C
La Bipolar
Owned by Mexican heartthrob Diego Luna of Y tu mamá también movie fame, this popular new cantina plays up the kitschier elements of Mexican popular culture, with wall panels fashioned from plastic crates and sliced tin buckets as light shades. Besides the Coronas and mezcal shots, it has revamped versions of classic Mexican snacks.
reviewed
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D
La Botica
Like an old apothecary, La Botica dispenses its elixirs from squat bottles lined up on the shelf. Available varieties are suitably scribbled on pieces of cardboard – try the cuesh, distilled from a wild maguey in Oaxaca. La Botica has opened other branches with similar hours at Campeche 396 in Condesa, and Orizaba 161 in Colonia Roma.
reviewed
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E
Kakao Natura
For something different, melt into a hot chocolate at the chocolatería Kakao Natura. The dozen or so varieties of artisanal chocolates (M$25 to M$38 per dozen) make fine gifts – if you can resist eating them yourself.
reviewed
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F
La Viña de Bacco
At San Cristóbal’s first wine bar, chatty patrons spill out onto the street, a pedestrian block of the main drag. It’s a convivial place, pouring a large selection of Mexican options (among others), starting at a reasonable M$18 per glass.
reviewed
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G
La Bodeguita del Medio
The walls are scribbled with verses and messages at this animated branch of the famous Havana joint. Have a mojito, a Cuban concoction of rum and mint leaves, and enjoy the excellent son cubano combos that perform here.
reviewed
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H
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.
reviewed
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The Hangout/Soggy Peso Bar
This bar right on the sands at the north end of San Carlos’ most beautiful beach is worth the M$100 taxi fare from town. It’s simple: one of the best margaritas in Mexico, on the beach, as the sun goes down. Majestic!
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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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El Paraíso
This smart bar in the southwest corner of the Mercado González Ortega attracts a friendly, varied, mostly 30s clientele; it’s busiest on Friday and Saturday.
reviewed
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El Grito
An oversized face above the doorway of this upscale disco shouts out ‘high prices’ to the young and fashionable Mexican crowd queuing outside.
reviewed
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Cerdo de Babel
The sociable Cerdo de Babel, with jazz and other mellow music on the stereo, is an intimate bar on the pedestrianized part of Ocampo.
reviewed
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M
La Estrella
Just off La Revo, this is a great spot to sip cheap beers, dance some salsa, or belt out karaoke tunes.
reviewed
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La Chiva
A tiny boho stronghold very popular for its alternative (electronica, hip-hop and rock)tunes.
reviewed
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Andale
Party hearty with throngs of young vacationers to very loud classic rock.
reviewed
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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!').
reviewed
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Q
Cinemex Palacio
One of over 30 multiplexes in the capital, Cinemex is the largest chain of movie theaters in Mexico City. It was founded back in 1993 by three astute Harvard college students (majoring, naturally, in Business Studies) after regulations were lifted with the new Cinematography Law. Known for their bigger screens, plush carpeting, well-lit interiors and US-style food and drink vendors, back in the mid-’90s this was also the only chain in the world with 100% digital sound. Cinemex is well-represented throughout all districts. To find the most convenient location, check the easy-to-navigate website (in Spanish), scrolling down on the complejos (venues) box.
reviewed
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R
Centro Cultural Ollin Yoliztli
Regular year-round free concerts of chamber ensembles and string recitals are held at this Cultural Center’s Sala Herminio Novelo, with music students and professionals consistently delivering polished performances. Admission is free and, at the time of writing, the concerts took place weekly at 8pm on Thursday (although confirm, if possible, before setting out). This Cultural Center is one of the most active on the classical music scene, however several other similar centers, as well as museums, in the city present occasional classical music performances; check Tiempo Libre or Friday’s La Jornada for listings.
reviewed
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Sala Nezahualcóyotl
This impressive concert hall with the impossible-to-pronounce name is located at the heart of the University’s Cultural Center. The design emulates Amsterdam’s late-19th-century Concertgebouw theater, with the seats extending to the sides and rear of the orchestra platform, creating the ultimate surround-sound experience. This is further accentuated by the ‘canopy’ over the stage. The university has its own UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra, which regularly stages concerts here. The Nezahualcóyotl is also a respected venue for world-renowned musicians, along with the Palacio. The concert season runs from September to June.
reviewed
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San Blas Social Club
Run by the affable Agustín, this cozy, eclectically decorated bar is the hub of San Blas’ expatriate nightlife. Jazz records line the wall – you are welcome to pick one out and the bartender (a former matador and actor named Bernardo) will slap it on. Here you can down a mean margarita or one of the bar specialties – ask for a ‘Martin Lewis’ and see what you get. It offers live music most Saturdays (and some Fridays), steak night on Tuesday, movies on Wednesday, guest-chef night on Thursday, good strong coffee every morning and free wi-fi at all hours.
reviewed
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U
Fiesta Land
That ostentatious white castle on Punta Camarón at the south end of the Zona Dorada is the undisputed epicenter of Mazatlán’s nightlife. Inside its walls are a half dozen clubs, including several of the city’s most popular dance spots: Valentino’s draws a mixed crowd to three dance floors throbbing with hip-hop and Latin music; Bora Bora is popular for its open-air dance floor and lax policy on bar-top dancing; and Sumbawa Beach Club is the perfect after-hours spot for dancing in the sand, lounging on a oversized mattress or cooling off in the pool.
reviewed
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V
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.
reviewed
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W
Sancho Panza
As much a visual as a culinary treat, Sancho Panza is one of San Lucas' most high-profile restaurants. The chef cleverly fuses Mediterranean and Latin tastes to create exquisite dishes such as sea bass with cherry tomatoes and wild mushrooms, lamb shank Ossobuco, or portabella mushroom filet in a red-wine reduction. The wine bar is superb, and Cuban art adorns the walls. There's also live jazz most nights. Reservations recommended after 19:00.
Cuban art adorns the walls and cool sounds, among them live jazz, keep the ambience vibrant.
reviewed
