Entertainment in Mexico City
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Cinemex Casa de Arte
This Cinemex Casa de Arte ( House of Art ) screens independent first-run and foreign films in its four-screen complex, which also thoughtfully caters to the hearing-impaired. The venue is also the annual host to the Muestra Internacional de Cine (International Film Festival), when a selection of some of the most exceptional foreign films is screened.
reviewed
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B
Hostal Tequilería Cielo Rojo
Besides offering the most extensive selection of tequilas this side of Jalisco, this boisterous salon on the Zona Rosa’s main pedestrian thoroughfare also stocks some fine handmade mezcals from the La Venencia distillery in Oaxaca, including a 15-year-old arroqueño. Mariachis perform nightly, greatly enhancing the whole sampling process.
reviewed
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C
Pulquería El Templo de Diana
This classic pulquería, a block east of the main market, has a cheerful sawdust-on-the-floor vibe, with a mixed-age crowd enjoying giant mugs of the maguey-based beverage behind the swinging doors. Even a few females may pop in. Pulque is delivered fresh daily from Hidalgo state, and expertly blended with flavorings like coffee, tomato and pine nut.
reviewed
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D
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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E
Café 22
This chilled-out theater-club in the informal environment of a café stages experimental contemporary productions like Ni Princesas Ni Eslavas with a three-woman cast, described as being more daring than Desperate Housewives, and more revealing than Sex & the City. The cover price includes a beer, or similar.
reviewed
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F
La Bodega
Fans of the Buena Vista Social Club will appreciate the Cuban combos who perform throughout the day in this rambling, tropically decorated Condesa home. Rumbas, boleros and sones accompany Mexican food, cocktails and dominoes in airy, high-ceilinged salons on both floors. Upstairs is the cabaret club El Bataclán.
reviewed
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G
Living
Housed in a magnificent Italianate mansion near the Torre Mayor, Living is a temple of ecstatic nightlife for the 20-something set, both gay and straight. On the enormous main dance floor, world-class DJs cook up high-volume house sessions as sculpted performance artists/exotic dancers gyrate. Other scenes unfold in other lounges.
reviewed
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H
Centro Nacional de las Artes
Centro Nacional de las Artes is a sprawling art institute near Coyoacán that has many free events across the artistic spectrum, including contemporary dance and classical concerts. To get here, exit metro General Anaya (Línea 2) on the east side of Calzada de Tlalpan, then walk north to the corner and turn right.
reviewed
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I
El Under
An underground-scene favorite, this old house stages live gigs and DJ sessions in a contrived spooky setting. Black-clad youth (aka darketos) dance to ’80s classics like Morrissey and Bauhaus on the club’s lower level, while upstairs the crowd takes in local bands playing garage punk, rockabilly or death-metal sets.
reviewed
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J
El Colmillo
DJs crank the volume to coccyx-crunching levels at this hallucinogenic hangout. Downstairs there's a dance floor on which to take advantage of the music (deep house; psychedelic trance) and a bar-lounge area; a more subdued upstairs lounge has performance events. The line at the door doesn't keep people waiting too long.
reviewed
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K
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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L
La Camelia
This restaurant-cantina has been drawing Mexican celebrities since 1931, as evidenced by the star-studded photos on the walls. On Friday and Saturday karaoke nights, it’s your time to shine with a rendition of, say, Michael Jackson or Madonna. Liquid courage comes in the form of tequila or cerveza mexicana.
reviewed
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M
Black Out
The new hot spot on the Zona Rosa’s hottest street is mostly male but frequented by buff clubbers of every persuasion. Designed by Frida art director Felipe Fernández del Paso to evoke the cosmopolitan New York theater world, the narrow space is draped in black velvet, with a sky-high bar of status liquors.
reviewed
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Segafredo
The Bologna-based chain expertly prepares all the espresso variations, from caffé latte fredo to macchiato con panna. Try a Caffé Maya, spiked with the Yucatecan anise liqueur Xtabentún. Attracted by wireless access, laptop-users often occupy the upper level, which has an open-air terrace attached.
reviewed
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O
Salón Los Ángeles
Cuban-music fans shouldn’t miss the outstanding orchestras, nor the graceful dancers who fill the vast floor of this atmospheric ballroom. It’s like the set of a period film, particularly on Tuesday evening, when an older crowd comes for danzón. It’s located in the rough Colonia Guerrero, so take a taxi.
reviewed
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P
La Planta de la Luz
The ‘power plant, ’ inside the Plaza Loreto shopping mall, is the creation of raconteur and Reforma columnist Germán Dehesa (sometimes called the Mexican Woody Allen). The large supper club alternates between Dehesa’s own comedic revues and music performances by well-regarded folk, rock and pop artists.
reviewed
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Q
Centro Cultural Universitario
Ensconced in the woodsy southern section of the national university campus, Centro Cultural Universitario comprises five theaters, including the Sala Nezahualcóyotl, home of the UNAM Philharmonic; the Teatro Alarcón, a dramatic stage; and the Sala Miguel Covarrubias, a contemporary dance venue.
reviewed
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R
Teatro Polyforum Siqueiros
A friendly small theater auditorium with wrap-around seats surrounding a central stage. The productions regularly include programs designed for children which, even if Spanish does not trip easily off your tiny tot’s tongue, can be colorful and entertaining. Classic comedies are also regularly staged.
reviewed
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Cinemark
This Cinemark complex is part of the Plaza Reforma Mall; the company is massive throughout Mexico with a total of 29 complexes (nine in the city). This one has 11 modern auditoriums, equipped with Dolby sound and THX, comfortable seats and digital image. There is a car park and a kick-back lounge-cafeteria.
reviewed
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Lipstick
At this large (capacity 950) club for an upscale 18-to-35 set, the fun goes on in three different settings: a subdued lower lounge for chilling out with friends; a video bar with adjacent dark room for close encounters; and an excellent upper terrace for all-out revelry. Thursday is girls’ night.
reviewed
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Cream
The longstanding El Colmillo club has been spruced up and reborn as one of the city’s premier electronica venues. Beyond the ghoulishly red narrow front room, steps lead down to a hallucinatory party lounge, where internationally renowned DJs work from a catwalk above a laser-lashed dance floor.
reviewed
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Altavista 154
This San Ángel club has three rooms: red, yellow and blue. Superior DJs rule the red room, laying down such dense grooves that even certified nondancers must get up and move their butts. A lounge and bar occupy the other rooms. Admission is free though cocktails are typically pricey for the zone.
reviewed
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W
Sanborns Café
During the day, Chilangos customarily meet at Sanborns Café for a business breakfast or lunch. After hours, this round-the-clock coffee shop makes a convenient port-of-call between clubs. It’s also considered a prime cruising locale, particularly the book-browsing section at the front.
reviewed
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Momma
Currently Polanco’s hottest antro, Momma attracts hordes of party people. Beyond a chic, minimalist restaurant, the brightly lit hall of mirrors resounds with pop en español and hits from past decades. As elsewhere in Polanco, expect a discretionary admission policy.
reviewed
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Y
Las Duelistas
Now graffitied with pre-Hispanic psychedelia, this classic pulquería alongside the Mercado San Juan has been rediscovered by young artists and musicians. Despite the new look, the pulque is still dispensed straight from the barrel in a variety of flavors like mango and coconut.
reviewed