Entertainment in Mexico City
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A
Café Jakemir
Run by a family of Lebanese coffee traders from Orizaba, this old distribution outlet, now transformed into a popular café, has excellent and inexpensive cappuccinos.
reviewed
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B
Centro Cultural de España
Young hipsters pack the roof terrace of this place each weekend for its excellent DJ and live music sessions. The rebuilt colonial structure is usually quaking by midnight.
reviewed
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C
El Imperial Club
Mexican indie bands, and the occasional imported act, perform in this ornate two-story house with antique furnishings and tasteful red-and-black vintage touches throughout.
reviewed
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D
Malafama
As trendy as Condesa’s bars and cafés, this sleek billiard hall doubles as a gallery of photo art. The well-maintained tables are frequented by both pool sharks and novices.
reviewed
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E
La Ópera Bar
With booths of dark walnut and an ornate tin ceiling (said to have been punctured by Pancho Villa’s bullet), this late-19th-century watering hole remains a bastion of tradition.
reviewed
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F
El Bataclán
A theater within a club (La Bodega), this intimate cabaret showcases some of Mexico’s more offbeat performers, with frequent appearances by the wonderfully surreal Astrid Haddad.
reviewed
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G
Pasagüero
Some visionary developers took a historic building and transformed its stonewalled ground level into a space for various cultural happenings, especially rock and electronica gigs.
reviewed
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H
Área
Atop the Hábita Hotel, this open-air roof lounge does a brisk trade in exotic martinis, with sweeping city views as a backdrop and videos projected on the wall of a nearby building.
reviewed
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I
La Perla
Once a red-light venue, this cabaret has been reborn in the age of irony as a cradle of kitsch, with hilarious drag shows featuring traditional Mexican songstresses. Tickets go fast.
reviewed
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J
Bar Oasis
This packed disco cuts across class lines, with both cowboys and businessmen dancing against a Day-Glo cityscape. Stick around past midnight for shows featuring lip-synching trannies.
reviewed
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K
Cineteca Nacional
Thematically focused film series are shown on seven screens, with at least one for Mexican cinema. Hosts the Muestra Internacional de Cine, an international film festival, in November.
reviewed
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L
El Tenampa
Graced with murals of the giants of Mexican song and enlivened by its own songsters, El Tenampa is a festive cantina on the north side of the Plaza Garibaldi; a visit here is obligatory.
reviewed
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M
Black Horse
Besides preparing bangers and mash, and screening the soccer match, this authentic British pub boasts an international social scene and has excellent bands playing the back room midweek.
reviewed
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N
Bar El Vicio
With liberal doses of politically and sexually irreverent comedy and a genre-bending musical program, this alternative cabaret is appropriately located in Frida Kahlo’s old neighborhood.
reviewed
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O
El Hijo del Cuervo
A Coyoacán institution, this stone-walled hall on the Jardín Centenario is a thinking person’s drinking person’s habitat. Assorted musical ensembles perform Wednesday and Thursday nights.
reviewed
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P
La Risa
University students squeeze into this intimate watering hole that has been pouring pulque since 1900. At M$12 a pop you can well afford to treat a struggling college kid to a mug.
reviewed
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Q
La Guadalupana
Serving drinks for over seven decades, this rustic tavern breathes tradition down to the blasé waiters in white coats. There are botanas and tortas as well as heartier fare.
reviewed
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R
Big Red
A volume dealer, with drinks priced by the ounce (M$18 for Bacardi, M$18 for Centenario tequila), plus whatever mixer you choose. Thus the place attracts a broader cross-section of the populace.
reviewed
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S
Foro Sol
During the regular season (March to July) the Diablos Rojos play every other week at the Foro Sol. From the metro, it is a five-minute walk over to the ballpark.
reviewed
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T
Café Villa de Madrid
With just a few sidewalk tables at the top of Plaza Villa de Madrid, this longtime storefront operation roasts beans from the family finca (farm) in Chiapas. They also roll their own cigars.
reviewed
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U
El Gran León
Two or three top-notch Cuban son ensembles take the tropical stage nightly at this old-school club. Unescorted (and escorted) women should expect to be invited up onto the tightly packed dance floor.
reviewed
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V
Tom’s Leather Bar
For those who dare to get medieval, Tom’s provides the props, with heraldic shields, crossed swords and candelabras highlighting a decidedly decadent decor. When the fat lady sings, the show’s about to begin.
reviewed
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W
Zinco Jazz Club
A vital component in the Centro’s rebirth, Zinco is a subterranean supper club featuring local jazz and funk outfits and occasional big-name touring artists. The intimate room fills up fast, so reserve ahead.
reviewed
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X
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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Y
Pata Negra
Nominally a tapas bar, this oblong salon draws a friendly, clean-cut crowd of 20-something Chilangos and expats. There’s live music on both levels, with the upper Salón Pata Negra striking a more bohemian tone.
reviewed